Political Science

General information

One of the most common words used to describe human society in the early 21st century is crisis. Economic systems are in a state of decline and threatened collapse, our natural environment is being pushed beyond its ability to sustain us, more people live in poverty than ever and, for the first time in history, the current generation can expect to have a lower standard of living than their parents. The Political Science program is designed to equip future professionals and citizens with tools to address these and other vital issues. Since the problems we face result directly from the type of society we have designed, students in this program will develop the ability to explore ways in which economies, laws, political systems and cultures can be re-imagined. This dynamic and innovative program draws from the strengths of an interdisciplinary faculty with expertise in areas such as community development, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, public policy, culture, politics, economics, environment and social movements. With their guidance, students will come to understand the ways in which communities can be mobilized and policies designed to yield economic prosperity, environmental sustainability and social justice.

Admission requirements

Admission is competitive. The specific average or standing required for admission varies from year to year. Students are selected by taking into consideration a wide range of criteria including school marks, distribution of subjects taken, and performance in subjects relevant to the academic program. Possession of the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Preference will be given to applicants with the best qualifications.

Current Ontario secondary school students must complete the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with six 4U or 4M credits including English (ENG4U). All other applicants should refer to admissions  for the requirements for their specific category of admission.

Practicum

A limited number of fourth year students are granted an opportunity to participate in a learning experience with a community organization. The Practicum course consists of 100 hours of fieldwork, several in-class seminars and a set of academic assignments. The Pre-Practicum course commences in the winter of third year. As part of the Pre-Practicum, students will be expected to acquire a Vulnerable Sector check. For additional information please refer to the course descriptions for SSCI 3098U  and SSCI 4098U .

Program details and degree requirements

To be eligible for the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Political Science, students must successfully complete 120 credit hours, including all courses outlined in the following program map. Each year prior to course registration the order and timing of course offerings will be released by the faculty and communicated to students. See course descriptions .

Year 1 (30 credit hours)

• One General elective (recommend ALSU 1101U )
• POSC 1100U – What is Community?
• COMM 1610U – Interpersonal Communication
• POSC 1000U – Political Science
• PSYC 1000U – Introductory Psychology
• SOCI 1000U – Introductory Sociology
• SSCI 1200U – Introduction to Social Policy
• SSCI 1910U – Writing for the Social Sciences
• SSCI 1300U – Social Problems

• One of:

• SSCI 1000U – Introduction to Criminal Justice or
• SSCI 1010U – Introduction to Canadian Legal System

Year 2 (30 credit hours)

• General elective
• POSC 2300U – Mobilizing for Change
• POSC 2100U – Global Communities
• POSC 2200U – Theories of Policy Analysis
• POSC 2502U – Community Development Policy
• POSC 2000U – Canadian Politics
• SSCI 2020U – Issues in Diversity
• SSCI 2900U – Research Methods
• SSCI 2910U – Data Analysis
• SSCI 2920U – Qualitative Research Methods

Year 3 (30 credit hours)

• Two FSSH electives*
• One POSC approved elective**
• POSC 3300U – Building Sustainable Communities
• POSC 3800U – Economics for Public Policy
• COMM 3710U – Intercultural Communication
• SSCI 3200U – Public Administration

• One of:

• POSC 3200U – Rural-Urban Fringe or
• POSC 3201U – Rural Communities or
• POSC 3203U – Urban Development

• Two of:

• POSC 3100U – Political Economy of Global Development or
• POSC 3101U – Inequality and Development or
• POSC 3102U – Culture and Community or
• SSCI 3010U – Social Justice and Conflict

Year 4 (30 credit hours)

• Three FSSH electives*
• One POSC approved elective**
• POSC 4000U – International Politics and Policy
• SSCI 4010U – Policy Development
• SSCI 4020U – Leadership and Administration

• One of:

• POSC 4005U – Independent Study or
• POSC 4099U – Integrating Project or
• SSCI 4101U – Honours Thesis I

• One of:

• POSC approved elective or
• SSCI 4098U – Practicum

• One of:

• POSC approved elective or
• SSCI 4102U – Honours Thesis II

*FSSH electives:

Any course offered by the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities (FSSH).

**POSC approved electives:

Students must be aware and plan appropriately for elective prerequisites.

• Any 3000- or 4000-level POSC course
• COMM 3310U – Communication, Communities and Social Change
• COMM 3510U – Work in the Information Age
• COMM 3720U – Communicating Diversity
• COMM 4610U – Communication and Conflict Resolution
• HLSC 4910U – Community Based Research for Health
• LGLS 3230U – Law and Globalization
• LGLS 3300U – Disability and the Law
• LGLS 3310U – Indigenous Peoples, Law and the State in Canada
• LGLS 3320U – Race, Ethnicity and the Law
• LGLS 3330U – Gender, Sexuality and the Law
• LGLS 3520U – Law and Technology
• LGLS 3620U – Human Rights Mediation
• LGLS 4010U – Communication Law and Policy
• LGLS 4040U – Law and the Environment
• LGLS 4070U – Public Governance through Law
• LGLS 4200U – Law and Social Change
• SSCI 3040U – Restorative Justice
• SSCI 3056U – Race and Ethnicity in the Criminal Justice System
• SSCI 3910U – Advanced Data Analysis
• SSCI 3920U – Advanced Qualitative Methods
• SSCI 4025U – Children’s Rights

SSCI 4101U and SSCI 4102U Honours Thesis I and II

In order to be considered for the Honours Thesis I students must apply during their sixth semester to begin their Honours Thesis I  in semester seven. The course application must include a detailed statement of intent outlining the methodology, theoretical significance and the projected timelines for completion of the project. To proceed to Honours Thesis II  a student must have successfully completed Honours Thesis I with a minimum A- and prepare a written statement outlining the projected timelines for completion of the project.

Please note: only a limited number of applicants will be admitted to the Honours Thesis. Consent is required from both the instructor and the dean.