Political Science (POLS)

POLS*6050  The Politics of Identity  Unspecified  [0.50]  
This course engages theoretical approaches of identity and identity politics in the global north and/or south. Topics may include contestation over indigenous, racial, ethnic, cultural, sexual, gender, and women's rights.
Offering(s): Annually  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6120  Theories of International Relations  Unspecified  [0.50]  
This course examines Western and non-Western theories of international relations, such as realism, liberalism, and constructivism, as well as Marxist, critical, indigenous and gender approaches. It will engage with established and emerging theories, exploring contestation and debates within the discipline.
Offering(s): Occasional years  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6130  Rights and Public Policy  Unspecified  [0.50]  
Students will study how individual rights can be restricted, protected or expanded through public policy, and how rights considerations and discourse may shape policy and the policy process.
Offering(s): Annually  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6150  Constitutionalism and Judicial Politics  Unspecified  [0.50]  
This course investigates how the constitution and the judiciary affect political processes and decision-making, and how politics shape constitutions and judicial process. Canadian or comparative examples will be examined.
Offering(s): Annually  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6160  Multi-Level Governance in Canada  Unspecified  [0.50]  
This course considers the evolving relationship among levels of government in Canada. The growth of cities, the growth of policy responsibilities of provinces, the influence of international organizations, and the development of Indigenous governments in Canada all challenge the conventional study of federal-provincial relations in Canada. From year to year, this course examines one or several of these contemporary dynamics. Offered in conjunction with POLS*4160. Extra work is required for graduate students.
Offering(s): Occasional years  
Restriction(s): Credit may be obtained for only one of POLS*4160 or POLS*6160  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6170  Courts and Parliament  Unspecified  [0.50]  
The course critically examines the complex relationship between the judiciary and representative institutions. By comparing the treatment of current political controversies (assisted suicide, prostitution, drug treatment), students will better appreciate the often-subtle exchanges between the two institutions and further enhance their research abilities in regards to both legal and legislative processes. Offered in conjunction with POLS*4070. Extra work is required for graduate students.
Offering(s): Annually  
Restriction(s): Credit may be obtained for only one of POLS*4070 or POLS*6170  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6180  Women, Justice and Public Policy  Unspecified  [0.50]  
This course will use gender-based analysis in examining a series of justice and public policy issues affecting the lives of women, including equality rights, pay and employment equity, domestic violence, sexual assault, family policy, health care policy, and pornography. Offered in conjunction with POLS*4100. Extra work is required for graduate students.
Offering(s): Occasional years  
Restriction(s): Credit may be obtained for only one of POLS*4100 or POLS*6180  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6200  Law and Politics  Unspecified  [0.50]  
This course explores advanced topics in law and politics depending on the interests of the instructor. Potential topics include investigating the law and politics of social change or analyzing debates about the political power of courts in Canada or in comparative perspectives. Offered in conjunction with POLS*4050. Extra work is required for graduate students.
Offering(s): Occasional years  
Restriction(s): Credit may be obtained for only one of POLS*4050 or POLS*6200  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6210  Conceptions of Canada  Unspecified  [0.50]  
This course will explore evolving conceptions of Canadian identity and nationalism through consideration of political culture, institutions and constitutional arrangements. Possible topics include: multiculturalism, aboriginal identity and community, Quebec nationalism, social citizenship, rights and representation, as well as Canada's global role and significance.
Offering(s): Occasional years  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6380  Political Contention in a Comparative Perspective  Unspecified  [0.50]  
Students explore the comparative approach to studying political contention. Topics may include key theoretical approaches in comparative political science, central political actors and institutions, and salient recent developments. The course critically engages dominant debates and reviews empirical examples.
Offering(s): Occasional years  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6390  Resource Scarcity and Conflict  Unspecified  [0.50]  
This course examines domestic, international and global dimensions of environmental governance and resource conflict, as well as stakeholder perspectives on resource politics. Topics may include climate change; the resource curse; commodity production, trade and consumption; food and human security; political ecology and extractive industries.
Offering(s): Occasional years  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6400  Citizenship and Social Policy  Unspecified  [0.50]  
Students will study citizenship and the allocation of social goods through social policies. Normative debates, theoretical frameworks, and empirical perspectives in a range of social policy fields - such as health care, pensions, childcare, education, and housing - may be examined.
Offering(s): Annually  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6500  Qualitative and Quantitative Data Analysis  Unspecified  [0.50]  
This course introduces both qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis. Students will engage theoretical material on the subject and develop data analysis skills through practice.
Offering(s): Annually  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6510  Political Participation and Engagement  Unspecified  [0.50]  
Students will study how individual citizens engage in the political process. Informal channels such as social movements or more formal organizations such as interest groups and political parties may be examined.
Offering(s): Annually  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6520  International Political Economy  Unspecified  [0.50]  
The course relies on theoretical approaches in IPE to examine relationships between politics and economics across national and regional levels. The evolution of the global political economy and its governance structures is explored, as well as contemporary debates about globalization and state and non-state actors' responses. Issue-areas may include: money and power, technology, trade, development and the environment. Offered in conjunction with POLS*4200. Extra work is required for graduate students.
Restriction(s): Credit may be obtained for only one of POLS*4200 or POLS*6520  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6530  Human Rights, Ethics and Development  Unspecified  [0.50]  
This course will examine the political and ethical consequences of adopting a human rights framework in national and international contexts by both state and non-state actors. This subject will be explored from a range of historical, theoretical and practical perspectives. Offered in conjunction with POLS*4300. Extra work is required for graduate students.
Offering(s): Annually  
Restriction(s): Credit may be obtained for only one of POLS*4300 or POLS*6530  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6540  Topics in Comparative Politics  Unspecified  [0.50]  
This course considers theories and problems in comparative politics and government in developing and industrialized countries. The geographical and theoretical focus of the course will reflect the interests of the instructor. Offered in conjunction with POLS*4710. Extra work is required for graduate students.
Offering(s): Occasional years  
Restriction(s): Credit may be obtained for only one of POLS*4710 or POLS*6540  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6550  Topics in Public Management  Unspecified  [0.50]  
This course will examine various topics related to governance, such as public management reform, public sector leadership, third sector organizations or budgeting and human resources. Offered in conjunction with POLS*4250. Extra work is required for graduate students.
Offering(s): Occasional years  
Restriction(s): Credit may be obtained for only one of POLS*4250 or POLS*6550  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6560  Topics in Public Policy  Unspecified  [0.50]  
This course will examine various public policy issues such as social policy or health care policy in a Canadian or comparative context. Offered in conjunction with POLS*4260. Extra work is required for graduate students.
Offering(s): Occasional years  
Restriction(s): Credit may be obtained for only one of POLS*4260 or POLS*6560  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6570  International Relations of the Middle East  Unspecified  [0.50]  
This course is designed as an advanced introduction to the international relations of the Middle East. The course focuses on theories of international relations and their applicability to specific case studies of Middle Eastern politics. The course provides a critical examination of conflicts in the region, and contextualizes those conflicts within both realist and neo-realist theories of international relations. Offered in conjunction with POLS*4730. Extra work is required for graduate students.
Offering(s): Occasional years  
Restriction(s): Credit may be obtained for only one of POLS*4730 or POLS*6570  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6580  Topics in International Relations  Unspecified  [0.50]  
This course considers theories and problems in the field of International Relations. The theoretical and/or geographical focus of the course will reflect the interests of the instructor. Offered in conjunction with POLS*4720. Extra work is required for graduate students.
Offering(s): Occasional years  
Restriction(s): Credit may be obtained for only one of POLS*4720 or POLS*6580  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6590  Advanced Topics in Rights and Liberties  Unspecified  [0.50]  
The course explores rights and liberties from various perspectives depending on the interests of the instructor. Potential topics include exploring the political, social, and legal factors and theories that explain the development of rights and liberties; rights and liberties in a comparative and international context; or the philosophical and policy debates surrounding rights and liberties. Offered in conjunction with POLS*4740. Extra work is required for graduate students.
Offering(s): Occasional years  
Restriction(s): Credit may be obtained for only one of POLS*4740 or POLS*6590  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6630  Approaches to Public Policy Analysis  Unspecified  [0.50]  
This course introduces students to the main theoretical approaches utilized in understanding public policy making and outcomes. Throughout the course, particular attention is paid to varying conceptions of institutions, ideas and interest and the role of these conceptions in various explanations of policy change and stasis.
Offering(s): Annually  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6640  Canadian Public Administration: Public Sector Management  Unspecified  [0.50]  
This course examines the growth of the administrative state in Canada, especially in the post World War II period. It critically reviews issues such as the concept of public sector management, the delegation of authority, personnel management, accountability and the ethics of ministers and officials to Parliament and the public.
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6730  Development and Global Justice  Unspecified  [0.50]  
Students will study Western and non-Western theoretical perspectives on the politics of development and global justice. Topics may include human rights and development, global inequality, environmental justice, indigenous politics, humanitarian ethics, intercultural competency, and faith-based development.
Offering(s): Annually  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6820  PhD Field Course in Canadian Politics  Unspecified  [0.50]  
Students will help to identify and critically engage with key scholarship in the field of Canadian Politics. The course will provide a breadth of understanding of the field, but a portion of the Canadian reading list can be tailored to the student's particular interests.
Offering(s): Occasional years  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6830  PhD Field Course in Comparative Politics  Unspecified  [0.50]  
Students will help to identify and critically engage with key scholarship in the field of Comparative Politics. The course will provide a breadth of understanding of the field, but a portion of the reading list can be tailored to the student's particular interests.
Offering(s): Occasional years  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6840  PhD Field Course in Gender, Race, Indigeneity, and Sexuality  Unspecified  [0.50]  
Students will help to identify and critically engage with key scholarship relating to Gender, Race, Indigeneity and Sexuality. The course will provide a breadth of understanding of the field, but a portion of the reading list can be tailored to the student's particular interests.
Offering(s): Occasional years  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6850  PhD Field Course in International Relations  Unspecified  [0.50]  
Students will help to identify and critically engage with key scholarship relating to International Relations. The course will provide a breadth of understanding of the field, but a portion of the reading list can be tailored to the student's particular interests.
Offering(s): Occasional years  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6860  PhD Field Course in Law and Politics  Unspecified  [0.50]  
Students will help to identify and critically engage with key scholarship relating to Law and Politics. The course will provide a breadth of understanding of the field, but a portion of the reading list can be tailored to the student's particular interests.
Offering(s): Occasional years  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6870  PhD Field Course in Public Policy and Governance  Unspecified  [0.50]  
Students will help to identify and critically engage with key scholarship relating to Public Policy and Governance. The course will provide a breadth of understanding of the field, but a portion of the reading list can be tailored to the student's particular interests.
Offering(s): Occasional years  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6900  Communications  Fall and Winter Reg Required  [0.25]  
This course trains students in crucial academic skills, in particular writing and presentation skills. Some course elements may be offered through workshops in conjunction with other units, such as the Learning Commons.
Offering(s): Annually  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6940  Research Design and Methods  Unspecified  [0.75]  
This course focuses on the elements of designing and writing a research question and proposal. It examines the principles of research design and research ethics, and surveys the strengths and weaknesses of a variety of methods of data collection.
Offering(s): Annually  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6950  Specialized Topics in Political Studies  Unspecified  [0.50]  
This course is intended to be an elective course for students wishing to pursue an area of investigation not covered in the other courses offered by the department. This course may also be chosen by students who want to further pursue a subject area to which they were introduced in a previous course.
Offering(s): Occasional years  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6960  Directed Readings  Unspecified  [0.50]  
This is an elective course for students wishing to pursue an area of investigation not covered in other courses offered by the department. This course may also be chosen by students who want to further pursue a subject area to which they were introduced in a previous course.
Offering(s): Occasional years  
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph  
POLS*6970  Major Paper  Unspecified  [1.00]  
The major paper is an extensive research paper for those who do not elect to complete a thesis. It may be taken over two semesters. The length of the major paper is not to exceed 10,000 words.
Department(s): Department of Political Science  
Location(s): Guelph