Political Science

The Political Science Department offers students with diverse interests a wide range of topical, thought-provoking courses in four fields of study:

• Canadian Politics
• Comparative Politics
• International Relations
• Political Thought

The Department’s aim is to provide students with a rich and rewarding learning experience, one that sharpens their critical skills, engages them in political ideas and practices, and grounds them in the world, locally and globally. The program thereby provides students with a solid foundation for their present and future endeavours, prepares them for a wide variety of career options, and enables them to contribute actively to society. For all these reasons, students are strongly encouraged to Major in Political Science and, for those interested in pursuing more advanced study, to apply to the Political Science Department’s Honours program.

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) is a well-established, foundational degree and requires the requirements listed below alongside general graduation requirements.

Major in Political Science

To earn a Major in Political Science, students must complete a minimum of forty-two (42) credit hours in Political Science courses. These must include:

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Select a minumum of three (3) and maximum of six (6) credit hours at the 1000 level in Political Science		3-6
POLI 2304	Canadian Politics in the 21st Century	6
POLI 2335	History of Political Thought	6
POLI 2381	Comparative Politics: Political Regimes and Government Institutions	3
POLI 2383	International Relations I: Actors, Structures, Processes	3
Select eighteen (18) to twenty-one (21) credit hours at the 3000 level or above		18-21
Total Credit Hours		42

Courses at the 4000-level are open to upper-level students who have successfully completed at least two years of full-time study.  Students are required to have completed at least 60 credit hours in university before taking a 4000-level course in Political Science.

To declare a Major in Political Science, students are required to have a minimum overall GPA of C (2.0 out of 4.3) in their Political Science Courses.  Upon declaring a Major, students are also required to meet with the Department Chair, to review program requirements and course selection options.

In order to continue in and to graduate with a Major in Political Science, students must achieve and maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 out of 4.3 in Political Science courses and a minimum degree grade point average (DGPA) of 2.00.

Concentration in Political Science

Students who intend to obtain a concentration in Political Science in partial fulfillment of the B.A. General degree (i.e., one with Double Arts Concentrations and a minimum of ninety (90) credit hours), must complete twenty-four (24) credit hours in Political Science courses. These must include a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of six (6) credit hours at the 1000-level, a minimum of six (6) and a maximum of nine (9) credit hours at the 2000-level, and twelve to fifteen (12-15) credit hours at the 3000-level and above. The student must maintain a minimum degree point average (DGPA) of 2.00. 

Honours in Political Science

The objective of the Bachelor of Arts Honours program in Political Science is to attract and graduate students with a demonstrated capacity to conduct original research independently.  Students interested in pursuing postgraduate degrees are particularly encouraged to apply.

Admission Requirements

Students should officially apply for admission to the Honours program upon the completion of their 1000 and 2000-level Political Science course requirements. Forms are available from the Registrar's/Records or B.A. Advising Office, or online.  As part of the admissions process, students are required to meet with the Department Chair. The Department will assign an Honours supervisor and will approve the major area of concentration.

In order to be considered for admission to the Political Science Honours program, a student must normally have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.33 in both Political Science and non-Political Science courses.

Students are reminded that the requirements mentioned above constitute a minimum. 

Requirements for Continuance in and for Graduation with Honours in Political Science

In order to continue in and to graduate with Honours standing, students must meet the Faculty of Arts requirements for the Honours Bachelor of Arts degree. Honours students must also achieve and maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.33 out of 4.3 in Political Science courses and a minimum degree point average (DGPA) of 3.33.

Honours students must complete a minimum of sixty (60) credit hours in Political Science Courses. These must include:

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Select a minumum of three (3) and maximum of six (6) credit hours at the 1000 level in Political Science		3-6
POLI 2304	Canadian Politics in the 21st Century	6
POLI 2335	History of Political Thought	6
POLI 2381	Comparative Politics: Political Regimes and Government Institutions	3
POLI 2383	International Relations I: Actors, Structures, Processes	3
POLI 4500	Honours Thesis	6
POLI 4510	Honours Seminar	3
POLI 4520	Honours Colloquium	3
Select twenty-four (24) to twenty-seven (27) credit hours in Political Science at the 3000 level and above		24-27
Total Credit Hours		60

The Department may consider as equivalent either two three (3) credit hour seminar courses, or a six (6) credit hour seminar in a cognate discipline, or upgraded senior-level courses in the Department, in lieu of the Honours seminar and/or colloquium requirements.

Honours students must submit an Honours Thesis (10,000 words) in their major area of concentration by March 15 of their final Honours year. The Honours supervisor and Department must approve the Honours essay before a degree is recommended.

Honours students are encouraged to register for thirty (30) credit hours in the final Honours year.

Minor in Political Science

To earn a Minor in Political Science students must complete at least twenty-four (24) credit hours in Political Science courses, including:

• at least three (3) credit hours at the 1000-level in Political Science
• twenty-one (21) credit hours at the 2000-level or higher

In order to continue in and to graduate with a Minor in Political Science, students must achieve and maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 out of 4.3 in Political Science courses and a minimum degree grade point average (DGPA) of 2.0.

Students are urged to be extremely careful not to register again for a course for which they have already earned credit.  Academic Regulation 17(b) is directly relevant to this matter.