Political Science (POLS)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Students will explore theories of states, regimes, state-building, regime change, and democratization. The course critically engages dominant debates and reviews empirical examples.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.