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. 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. Cross-listed as PHIL 202. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102, PSCI 201 recommended. Three credits.

An introduction to comparative politics and/or regional politics as a field of study that 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 political, 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. Multiculturalism 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 introduces U.S. government with a focus on the historical development of American political institutions. It examines the U.S. federal system and constitutional development, as well as executive, legislative, and judicial powers with particular attention to the founding and its enduring legacy in American political culture. 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. 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, and transnational environmental challenges. Credit will be granted for only one of PSCI 252 or PSCI 250. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102. Three credits.

Critical study of the major ideas and issues in contemporary political theory, focused on assessing and engaging central moral debates in domestic and global politics. Emphasis will be placed on applying political theories and concepts to examine real-world cases. Main themes: political authority and obligation, democracy, multiculturalism, human rights, global justice, war and intervention, environment, gender and power. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 3 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (202 recommended). Three credits.

Critical study of the major ideas and issues in contemporary political theory, focused on assessing and engaging central moral debates in domestic and global politics. Emphasis will be placed on applying political theories and concepts to examine real-world cases. Main themes: political authority and obligation, democracy, multiculturalism, human rights, global justice, war and intervention, environment, gender and power. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 3 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (202 recommended). Three credits.

This course introduces students to what modern artists have to say about politics and what governments do and say about art. It provides some of the historical and theoretical tools needed to analyze the political role of art in our time. Students will examine literary works, painting, music, and architecture, and discuss specific policies on art. Cross-listed as ART 312. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 3 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (211 or 212 recommended). Three credits.

This course introduces students to the nature and varieties of dictatorships by examining their causes of emergence, what sustains them, and why they (sometimes) fall. Students will examine political institutions and public policies (e.g. economic, cultural, human rights) of dictatorships. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 3 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (211 or 212 recommended). Three credits.

The state is a central concept within the social sciences and one of the most significant sources of power in the modern world. Despite this, states today appear increasingly in crisis, with their very legitimacy questioned. In this course, we will explore the development of the modern state to better understand our present. Cross-listed as SOCI 309. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 3 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (211 or 212 recommended). Three credits.

This course examines political communications and their impact on public opinion and political behaviour, with a particular focus on Canadian media. The course will explore key themes, including: news construction and the media landscape, media effects and public opinion; mass media, social media, and political entertainment; and political communications on campaigns. Cross-listed as PGOV 319. Prerequisite: PGOV 101 or PSCI 101; or permission of the instructor. Three credits.

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 3 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (221 or 222 recommended). Three credits.

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 contemporary governance challenges. Topics include the historical treaty process, the Indian Act, citizenship and sovereignty, land claims and modern treaties, and various forms of self-government. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 3 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (221 or 222 recommended). Three credits.

An analysis of the historical origins of nationalism and of its central concepts and justifications. Both Western and non-Western nationalism (focusing on four or more cases) will be examined in a comparative context. Evidence for the recent decline of the nation state will be explored. Credit will be granted for only one of PSCI 331 or PSCI 330. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 3 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (211 or 212 recommended). Three credits.

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, including whether rights are universal; the institutions and organizations enforcing human rights; the role states play in protecting human rights; and state responses to massive rights violations. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 3 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (211 or 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, Europe, Africa, Asia and North America. Case studies will demonstrate interactions between the state and Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, and other religions. Cross-listed as RELS 336. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 3 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (211 or 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 3 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (221 or 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 3 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (221 or 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; 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 3 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (211 or 212 recommended). Three credits.

This course is designed as a general historical survey of Canadian external interests, external policy-making processes, and contemporary themes and issues. Cross-listed as PGOV 351. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 3 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (251 or 252 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 its making. Among the issues examined are conceptual models of foreign policymaking, actors and institutions in the American foreign policymaking process, and contemporary security and foreign economic policies of the US. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 3 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (251 or 252 recommended). Three credits.

A study of the development and role of international organizations in global politics, examining the achievements and limits of institutionalized multilateral cooperation among states. Institutions examined include the UN, NATO, the WTO, the IMF, and the World Bank. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 3 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (251 or 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. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 3 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (251 or 252 recommended). Three credits.

An examination of contemporary international relations and foreign policies of major regional actors in East Asia including China, Japan, North and South Koreas, and the US. Topics include the political economy of East Asian industrialism, institution-building, the regional security complex, the rise of China, and the ongoing nuclear crisis in the Korean Peninsula. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 3 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (251 or 252 recommended). Three credits.

The topic for 2026-2027 is Reckoning with Memory: The Causes and Consequences of the Holocaust. The Holocaust has been described as the largest crime in history; it has left an indelible mark on its perpetrators and victims alike; it has shaped the Jewish community and global politics. This course explores its causes and consequences. In addition to lectures, participants will travel to Poland and Germany (funded) for 10 days between exams and convocation. Funding is limited. A secondary application will be announced. Prerequisites: 6 credits in any arts subject and third or fourth year standing. Three credits.

This course offers a comparative analysis of governments, political processes, and policies in Latin America. It focuses on countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 3 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (211 or 212 recommended). Three credits.

This course introduces variance and causality, units of analysis, and strategies for case selection. Students will formulate research questions, generate research designs, discuss methodological approaches, and learn about research ethics. 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 3 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 and SOCI 316. Prerequisites: PSCI 101, 102 and 3 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 3 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (221/222 recommended). 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 3 credits of PSCI at the 200 level (211/212 recommended). Three credits.

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