Political Science Department

This course provides a basic introduction to the study of politics by exploring key concepts, ideas and debates that are important for understanding political life. Topics covered include the nature of politics, varieties and dimensions of political power, political authority and the state. Students will be introduced to both traditional and contemporary political ideologies. Credit will be granted for only one of PSCI 101 or PSCI 100. Three credits.

International relations and national politics shape political life today. This course examines various forms of government and compares political systems and processes, electoral systems, and public policies. It introduces students to the international state system and relations among states, covering topics such as co-operation and conflict, alliances and international organizations, war and peace, the global economy and contemporary global issues. Credit will be granted for only one of PSCI 102 or PSCI 100. Three credits.

A critical textual analysis of ancient and medieval thinkers such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas and Augustine, with emphasis on their political thought. This course will stress the continuing relevance of these thinkers to current politics and the search for the just society. Credit will be granted for only one of PSCI 201 or PSCI 200. Cross-listed as PHIL 201. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102. Three credits.

A critical textual analysis of modern thinkers such as Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Kant, Mill, and Marx, with emphasis on their political thought. This course will stress the continuing relevance of these thinkers to current politics and the search for the just society. Credit will be granted for only one of PSCI 200 or PSCI 202. Cross-listed as PHIL 202. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102. Three credits.

This course covers comparative politics and/or regional politics as a field of study, and prepares students for upper level courses in the field. It will present the basic methodological and theoretical tools in the field and take a close look at countries whose political institutions, culture, and policies are similar or closely related to Canada’s. These countries may include Great Britain, France, Germany, Sweden, or Australia, among others. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102. Three credits.

This course covers comparative politics and/or regional politics as a field of study, and prepares students for upper level courses in the field. It examines the evolution and diversity of governments in countries whose political institutions, culture, policies differ from Canada’s. These countries may include Russia, China, Brazil, Japan, Iran, India or Nigeria, among others. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102. Three credits.

This course covers the key political structures and institutions of the Canadian state (the Constitution, the political executive, parliament, federalism, intergovernmental relations, the public service and the courts) which constrain, shape and give impetus to Canadian politics, governance and decision-making. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102. Three credits.

This course will focus on the Canadian political environment and cover the cultural, social, and regional context of how citizens interact with the Canadian state. Topics covered include political culture, parties and elections, interest groups, social movements, and the implications for the political process of key social divisions such as gender, language, and race. Language politics, multiculturalism, the women’s movement, and Indigenous peoples will receive attention. The course concludes with a discussion of Canada’s global affairs. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102. Three credits.

This course examines the historical roots and the current contours of the business-government relationship. While the focus is on Canada, conditions in other advanced capitalist states will be considered. Topics include the mechanisms of business power, the micro-politics of industries and case studies of corporate-state relations. Credit will be granted for only one of PSCI 240 or PSCI 241. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102. Three credits.

This course examines international relations as a field of study, offering a comprehensive survey of the conceptual, theoretical, and historical foundations of global politics. It provides students with a wide range of analytical and interpretive tools to make sense of global politics and prepare them for more advanced courses in international relations. Credit will be granted for only one of PSCI 251 or PSCI 250. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102. Three credits.

This course examines a set of contemporary problems and issues in global politics, focusing primarily on security-related questions, the politics of international economic relations, and transnationalism. Among the topics examined are: international security, nuclear deterrence and proliferation, humanitarian intervention, terrorism, economic globalization and its consequences, the problem of poverty and development for the global South, environmental challenges, new transnational actors, and global governance. Credit will be granted for only one of PSCI 252 or PSCI 250. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102. Three credits.

An introduction to the comparative study of types of collective political violence: war, terrorism, ethnic or identity-based conflicts, coup d’état, revolution, civil war, and genocide. Specific case studies are examined along with the main theoretical approaches in the field. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102. Three credits.

A study of Marxism as a critical theory and a critique of political economy. The course will discuss Marx, Engels, Kautsky, Bernstein, Luxemburg, Lenin, Trotsky, Gramsci, Lukacs, Pashukanis, Bloch, Habermas, Arendt, Popper, Hayek, Kolakowski, Cohen, and Mills, among other Marxist thinkers and critics. Themes will include the interplay between social science, philosophy, politics, economics, ethics, law, revolution, and social transformation. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 6 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (201/202 recommended). Three credits. Offered 2023-2024 and in alternate years.

This course examines the theory and practice of federalism, with a focus on Canadian federalism. Topics include theories of federalism, comparative federal systems, inter-governmental relations, fiscal arrangements, federal-provincial diplomacy, and constitutional reform. Cross-listed as PGOV 321. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 6 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (221/222 recommended). Three credits.

This course is concerned with parties and elections in Canada. Topics include comparative party and electoral systems; the evolution of the Canadian party system; party leadership and financing; the electoral system; brokerage politics and political marketing election campaigns and voting behaviour. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 6 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (221/222 recommended). Three credits.

As an introduction to Indigenous politics and governance in Canada, this course will cover the history of Indigenous-Crown relations, the political mobilization of Indigenous peoples, the constitutional entrenchment of their rights, key court decisions and political struggles, and governance challenges in the modern era. Topics to be covered include the treaty process, the Indian Act, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal perspectives, citizenship and sovereignty, land claims and modern treaties, and various forms of self-government. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 6 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (221/222 recommended). Three credits. Offered 2023-2024 and in alternate years.

Human rights and international justice are important components of politics. This course examines the theoretical and practical concerns shaping the study and promotion of human rights today. Using a variety of material and case studies, we examine the debate over whether rights are universal; the institutions and organizations enforcing human rights; and the role states play in protecting human rights. A strong component of this class is state responses to massive human rights violations. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 6 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (211/212 recommended). Three credits.

An examination of the impact of religion on politics and politics on religion. Students will consider the relationship between religion and politics in the Middle East, Northern Ireland, India and Pakistan, Eastern Europe and North America. Case studies will demonstrate interactions between the state and Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism, as well as the influence of religion on citizenship, education, the party system, and social issues. Credit will be granted for only one of PSCI 336, PSCI 295, RELS 295. Cross-listed as RELS 336. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 6 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (211/212 recommended). Three credits.

This course explores the role of the courts in politics, particularly in Canada. Possible Topics include recent constitutional developments; the impact of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms; the judicialization of politics; philosophy of law; and strategic litigation. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 6 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (221/222 recommended). Three credits.

This course examines various aspects of Canadian citizenship, with a particular focus on the accommodation of diversity. Topics include citizenship theory, the evolution of the Canadian citizenship regime, majority and minority nationalisms, Indigenous citizenship, gender and sexual minorities, and multiculturalism. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102(100) and 6 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (221/222 recommended). Three credits.

An introduction to the study of women and politics, this course has three parts: feminist political thought and the women’s movement; political participation and representation; and public policy. Topics include feminist political thought in the Western political tradition; the evolution and politics of the women’s movement; political parties and legislatures; women and work; women and the welfare state. Cross-listed as WMGS 345. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 6 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (211/212 recommended). Three credits.

This course introduces students to the study of US foreign policy, examining major political, economic, and social forces that shape and constrain the making of American foreign policy. Among the issues examined are the historical and doctrinal context of US foreign policy, actors and institutions in the American foreign policymaking process, and contemporary external security and foreign economic policies of the US. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 6 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (251/252 recommended). Three credits.

This course examines the state’s supremacy and its capacity to manage such global issues as transnational flows of goods, services, money, and ideas; the phenomenon of failed states in the post-Cold War period; global environmental issues; weapons proliferation; terrorism and other forms of transnational crime; and the rise of transnational social activist groups. Cross-listed as DEVS 355. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 6 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (251/252 recommended). Three credits.

This course examines the multifaceted dimensions of the Arab-Israeli conflict. In addition to exploring various historical, political, societal, economic, and religious cleavages behind the conflict, the course also examines peace initiatives and the prospects for their success in the region. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 6 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (251/252 recommended). Three credits.

Introduction to the structures, activities, and operations of the UN, the protocols and procedures of UN deliberations, and contemporary international issues and agendas faced by the UN and its member states. The course is built around student preparation for, and participation in, simulated UN deliberations at the Five-day annual NMUN Conference in New York scheduled for March. Conference attendance is mandatory; there are additional travel-related costs; and funding raising is required. Credit will be granted for only one of PSCI 357 or PSCI 392 (2014-2015, 2016-2017). Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 6 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (251/252 recommended). Three credits.

Since the end of the Cold War, and especially since September 11, 2001, new security issues have proliferated in the international arena, including espionage, transnational terrorism, guerrilla warfare, insurgency, and electronic warfare. The course begins by defining these phenomena conceptually and explores how they have been used strategically as means to an end. Credit will be granted for only one of PSCI 359 or PSCI 394 (2019-2020). Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 6 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (251/252 recommended). Three credits.

This course explores the reasons for the collapse and the pursuit of political and economic alternatives to state socialism in the Russian Federation. Students are encouraged to develop their own project, examining the manner in which forms of ownership, constitutional developments, party formation, political personalities, and domestic and international pressure influence events in post-communist Russia. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 6 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (211/212 recommended). Three credits.

Countries in the developing world face a distinct set of political challenges, particularly as they relate to fostering economic growth and providing effective public services. This course will explore the political determinants of development as well as the effect of economic conditions on political outcomes. Key issues include the origins of state weakness, the relationship between political institutions and economic growth, the causes of corruption, and the effect of diversity on governance outcomes. Credit will be granted for only one of PSCI 371 and PSCI 370. Cross-listed as DEVS 371. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 6 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (211/212 recommended). Three credits.

The topic for 2023-2024 is Politics and Technology. This course will assess the relation between technology and politics, including considerations of evolving conceptions of citizenship in Canada. Topics may include the intersections among technology and equity seeking groups, democratic rights, media and the web, as well as continued colonization. The interaction between politics and technology by looking at how technological changes in Canada have shaped political life will be examined. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 6 credits of PSCI at the 200 level. Three credits.

This course is all about asking interesting questions in political science and then coming up with ways to answer these questions. We will introduce the concept of variance and causality, units of analysis, and strategies for case selection. At the end of the course, students will be able to formulate research questions, generate a research design, and discuss a range of methodological approaches that can be used to explore the world of politics. Cross-listed as PGOV 304. Credit will be granted for only one of PSCI 397 or PSCI 399 offered up until 2019-2020. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 6 credits of PSCI at the 200 level. Three credits.

This course introduces students to the use of quantitative analysis in political science. While studying the logic of statistical inference, students will learn practical skills, including survey questionnaire design, dataset management, and data presentation. By the end of the course students will be able to critically assess quantitative research and apply quantitative tools to pursue their own research questions. Cross-listed as PGOV 303. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 6 credits of PSCI at the 200 level. Three credits.

This seminar deals with the analysis of power in Canadian politics, through the study of selected institutions, policy fields, and governance challenges. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 6 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (211/212 recommended). Three credits.

This seminar examines advanced theories of International Relations and contemporary issues in global politics. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102, 251, 252. Three credits.

This seminar discusses major issues in comparative politics and examines the advanced theories, methods, and concepts in the field. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 6 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (211/212 recommended). Three credits

Restricted to students in the BA Honours program. Six credits.