This course is an introduction to the study of politics. It has two objectives. The first is to give students a sense of the meaning and importance of politics. The second is to study a number of the concepts essential to the study of contemporary politics: the state, sovereignty, legitimacy and authority, law, power, equality, democracy, nationality, freedom and citizenship are typically covered. The specific content and readings used vary from section to section.
Global Politics POLS1603A
Narine, Shaun
T TH
ECH,
103
10:00AM-11:20AM
This course provides an introduction to the concepts of nation and state, sovereignty, forms of government, and political conflict. It does so through consideration of issues in world politics, such as human rights and social justice, ecological imbalance, economic inequalities, war, global governmental institutions and organizations.
Canadian Constitutional Pol. POLS2103A
Bateman, Thomas
W F
HCH,
200
09:00AM-10:20AM
This course will examine fundamental disagreements at the core of the Canadian polity that have plagued constitutional debate since its creation. Special attention is paid to the constitutional implications of conflicting conceptions of individual, provincial, ethno-linguistic, and multi-national equality.
Comp Politics Developed World POLS2303A
Levick, Laura
T TH
MMH,
202
01:00PM-02:20PM
This course introduces students to the comparative study of governments in the industrial and post-industrial societies. It examines the question of how various political systems are classified, dealing with such issues as organization of the state, governance and policy-making, representation, and political legitimacy. Prerequisite: 3 credits in Political Science.
International Relations I POLS2613A
Narine, Shaun
M W F
HCH,
200
10:30AM-11:20AM
This course introduces students to International Relations theory, with a focus on the mainstream theories in the field, namely realism and its variants, liberalism and constructivism. These theories are illustrated and developed through the use of case studies and examinations of the institutions and structures of the international system. Prerequisite: POLS 1013 or permission of the instructor.
Western Tradition I POLS2803A
Barry, Conor
T TH
GMH,
301
11:30AM-12:50PM
This course will introduce students to seminal texts in political philosophy focussing on the ancient and early medieval period. Texts may include: Plato's Apology, Plato's Republic, Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics, Aristotle's Politics, Bible, and St. Augustine's City of God.
Political Leadership POLS3323A
Masciulli, Joseph
M W
MMH,
307
04:00PM-05:20PM
This course will be a study of the fundamental concepts and prevalent theories of political leadership using a comparative methodology involving local, national, and global levels of leadership. It will allow students to study the significance of individual leaders' personalities, styles, and ideas in relation to their institutional and cultural contexts.
Latin Amer. Pols & Gov't POLS3363A
Levick, Laura
T TH
HCH,
200
10:00AM-11:20AM
This course offers a comparative introduction to Latin American politics, with a particular focus on the themes of democracy, state-building, and political institutions. It examines the way in which past authoritarian regimes continue to influence democratic progress in Latin America, as well as the other challenges that contemporary regimes face from factors such as state capacity, corruption, inequality, and violence. In this way, the course emphasizes the ways in which Latin America has pushed us to rethink theories based on the European experience and to redefine our understanding of democracy. Pre-requisites: At least 6 credit hours in Political Science or permission of the instructor.
Intern. Relations Asia/Pacific POLS3523A
Narine, Shaun
W F
MMH,
202
09:00AM-10:20AM
This course will focus on how the relations of the regional powers (China, Japan, and the United States) intersect and affect the shape of the Asia Pacific's politics and economics. The course will also provide an overview of the interactions between the other regional states and the various efforts to build Asia Pacific-wide economic and security institutions.
Model United Nations POLS3613A1
McAnany, Stephanie
M
HCH,
200
06:30PM-09:20PM
This course will prepare students for participation in a Model United Nations, either Canadian or American sponsored. In a model UN simulation, students represent an assigned country's foreign policy on assigned issues on the UN agenda. The course will begin with an examination of the UN and its procedures. Subsequent topics will include researching the assigned UN issues and the assigned country's policy on them: preparation of working papers and motions, and strategies for effective conference participation. Fund raising for the trip required: half credit course, but meets first and second terms; limited enrolment.
Classical Political Philosophy POLS3813A
Barry, Conor
T TH
MMH,
201
02:30PM-03:50PM
In this course, students will engage in an intensive study of a small number of texts by some of the following authors: Herodotus, Thucydides, Aristophanes, Plato, Xenophon, and Aristotle. Among the problems to be considered are: the nature of justice, the character of the best regime, the good life for a human being, and the relationship between the individual and the political community. Prerequisite: POLS 2803 (or 2806) or permission of the instructor.
Thesis Proposal POLS3913A1
Malcolmson, Patrick
T TH
HCH,
5
04:00PM-05:20PM
The purpose of this course is to afford students who seek to write the Honours thesis an opportunity to develop a thorough thesis proposal, including a substantial annotated bibliography. A small number of classes will be held at the beginning of the course in order to show students how to prepare the proposal. Thereafter, the class will meet only occasionally.
Seminar in Canadian Politics POLS4103A
Bateman, Thomas
M W
HCH,
208
02:30PM-03:50PM
This is a seminar directed primarily at Political Science Majors and Honours students. The specific topic of the seminar will change from year to year. Students will be expected to do advanced research and to present and defend their work in class. Prerequisite: POLS 2103 or permission of the instructor.
Winter Semester 2023
Course
Instr
Days
Location
Time
Canadian Government POLS1103A
Barry, Conor
M W F
GMH,
304
12:30PM-01:20PM
This course provides an introduction to the concepts of the regime, authority, the rule of law, citizenship, and political obligation. It does so through a consideration of the institutions of Canadian government and covers the following topics: the framing of the constitution, federalism, parliamentary government, the Charter of Rights, the judiciary, political parties, public opinion, interest groups, and constitutional reform.
Global Politics POLS1603B
Masciulli, Joseph
T TH
JDH,
G5
04:00PM-05:20PM
This course provides an introduction to the concepts of nation and state, sovereignty, forms of government, and political conflict. It does so through consideration of issues in world politics, such as human rights and social justice, ecological imbalance, economic inequalities, war, global governmental institutions and organizations.
Comp Pol Developing World POLS2313A
Levick, Laura
T TH
JDH,
G2
01:00PM-02:20PM
This course introduces students to the comparative study of governments in the developing world. It focuses on such issues as the politics of development, modernization, and the interplay of political and social forces in selected developing nations. Prerequisite: 3 credits in Political Science.
International Relations II POLS2623A
Narine, Shaun
M W F
HCH,
200
10:30AM-11:20AM
This course introduces students to the critical and non-mainstream variants of International Relations (IR) theory. These include Marxism, Gramscianism, feminist theories of IR, and other forms of critical theory. These theories are illustrated and developed through the use of case studies and examinations of the institutions and structures of the international system. They are also contrasted with mainstream IR theories. Prerequisite: POLS 1013 or permission of the instructor.
The Western Trad Pol. Phil II POLS2813A
Barry, Conor
T TH
MMH,
203
11:30AM-12:50PM
This course will introduce students to seminal texts in political philosophy focussing on the medieval, early modern and modern periods. Texts may include: Aquinas' Treatise on Law, Machiavelli's The Prince, Hobbes' Leviathan, Locke's The Second Treatise on Government, Rousseau's Discourses, Hegel's Introduction to the Philosophy of History. Prerequisite: POLS 2803.
Parties & Elections POLS3103A
Murphy, Daniel
M W
JDH,
G2
04:00PM-05:20PM
Canada's major national parties are examined in regard to their historical evolution, internal structure, ideological orientation, and public image and reputation. Trends in voting behaviour are discussed, as are the implications of voting patterns in Canada. Distinctive provincial political parties (such as the Parti Quebecois) are also considered.
The United Nations POLS3603A
Narine, Shaun
W F
HCH,
200
09:00AM-10:20AM
This course will examine the UN as an international political institution, its structure and processes in the context of contemporary and enduring issues of world politics, including peace, security, development, and environmental sustainability.
Model United Nations POLS3613A2
McAnany, Stephanie
M
HCH,
200
06:30PM-09:20PM
This course will prepare students for participation in a Model United Nations, either Canadian or American sponsored. In a model UN simulation, students represent an assigned country's foreign policy on assigned issues on the UN agenda. The course will begin with an examination of the UN and its procedures. Subsequent topics will include researching the assigned UN issues and the assigned country's policy on them: preparation of working papers and motions, and strategies for effective conference participation. Fund raising for the trip required: half credit course, but meets first and second terms; limited enrolment.
Intro to Quant. Research Meth POLS3903A
Levick, Laura
M W F
HCH,
200
11:30AM-12:20PM
An introduction to quantitative research methods and descriptive statistics as applied to the study of political phenomena. In addition to covering basic statistical principles, the course focuses on key issues related to research design, sampling and case selection, measurement and operationalization, data collection and analysis, and the communication and interpretation of results. Pre-requisites: At least 9 credit hours in Political Science or permission of the instructor.
Thesis Proposal POLS3913A2
Malcolmson, Patrick
T TH
HCH,
5
04:00PM-05:20PM
The purpose of this course is to afford students who seek to write the Honours thesis an opportunity to develop a thorough thesis proposal, including a substantial annotated bibliography. A small number of classes will be held at the beginning of the course in order to show students how to prepare the proposal. Thereafter, the class will meet only occasionally.
Capstone Seminar POLS4903A
Barry, Conor
M W
HCH,
200
02:30PM-03:50PM
This course is intended to serve as a capstone seminar for majors and Honours students in Political Science. The course is an investigation of the perennial issues involved in the study of politics. We shall examine critically the dominant approaches in Political Science with the aim of understanding how the method utilized affects the substance of any account of political phenomena.