Faculty of Arts

Political Science Courses

PO110 Introduction to Modern Politics: The State 0.5

An introduction to politics and its study including: its scope and methods; basic concepts; the interrelationships of power, territory and economics in the modern state and world of states; the analysis of forms of government and political ideologies.

Exclusion: PO100*.

PO111 Introduction to Modern Politics: Structures and Processes of Government 0.5

A study of the major forms and structures of government including: constitutions, constitutionalism and the rule of law; the roles of the executive, legislative and judicial branches; public administration; the dynamic of state-society interaction in and through political parties, interest groups, elections and public policy-making. (Note: PO111 does not have PO110 as a prerequisite.)

Exclusion: PO100*.

PO201 Québec Contexts 0.5

(Cross-listed as CA201.)

PO204 Politics and Economics 0.5

The interaction between politics and economics in modern industrial societies with a study of such themes as class conflict, economic development and the role of the welfare state.

Prerequisite: Registration status: senior student.

PO205 Introduction to Comparative Politics I 0.5

An introduction to the study of comparative politics and the comparative method, covering the major theoretical understandings of the modern state and civil society.

Prerequisite: Senior student standing.

PO206 Introduction to Comparative Politics II 0.5

An examination of some of the key issues in comparative politics, drawing on the experiences of both industrialized and developing nations. Some of the themes to be explored include democratization, revolution, post-materialism, the crisis of welfare states and nationalism.

Prerequisite: PO205.

PO211 Federalism 0.5

A general study of the nature and dynamics of federalism with particular emphasis on Canada. Topics include the origin and evolution of federalism, means for resolving conflicts within federal systems, and current constitutional and economic issues.

Prerequisite: Registration status: senior student.

PO212 Canadian Provincial Politics 0.5

A comparative examination of regional political cultures and parties, institutions and processes in the political systems of the Canadian provinces.

Prerequisite: Registration status: senior student.

PO215* Canadian Government and Politics 1.0

An introduction to important features of political institutions and processes in Canada. (Distance Education course)

Prerequisite: Registration status: senior student.

Exclusion: PO213, PO214, PO263, PO264; Honours Political Science programs.

PO217 Introductory Methods in Political Science I 0.5

An introduction to the assumption and methods of empirical political inquiry intended to provide the basic knowledge necessary to design and conduct research projects and to analyze critically the research conducted and published by others. Topics include the nature of science, the status of political science as a science, operationalization, measurement, research design, sampling and data collection techniques.

Prerequisite: Registration status: senior student.

PO218 Introductory Methods in Political Science II 0.5

This course provides an introduction to the basic inferential and descriptive statistics used in political science research. In addition, it surveys a number of common techniques of analysis such as crosstabulation, analysis of variance, regression techniques and factor analysis.

Prerequisite: PO217 (or permission of the department).

PO225 Government and Politics in the United States I 0.5

A study of the environment in which American politics takes place, including examination of the political culture of the United States, the constitution, public opinion, elections, parties and pressure groups.

Prerequisite: Registration status: senior student.

PO226 Government and Politics in the United States II 0.5

A study of the operation of government in the United States with particular reference to the presidency, congress, the bureaucracy, the judiciary, civil rights and other selected public policies.

Prerequisite: Registration status: senior student.

PO227 Politics in Developing Countries I 0.5

An introduction to the study of economic and political change in Third World countries, including a critical examination of the concept of development itself. Attention will be given to the factors accounting for variation among these societies.

Prerequisite: Registration status: senior student.

PO228 Politics in Developing Countries II 0.5

An examination of a selected group of Third World countries aimed at introducing students to the analysis of Third World politics. Emphasis is placed on the comparative study of political and economic variables accounting for specific trajectories of development.

Prerequisite: Registration status: senior student.

PO231 Introduction to World Politics I 0.5

An overview of the nature, forms and dynamics of world politics covering issues of international security, international political economy and emerging trends in the post-Cold War world.

Prerequisite: Registration status: senior student.

PO232 Introduction to World Politics II 0.5

An examination and discussion of related cases and examples in contemporary world politics, employing the analytical frameworks and tools developed in PO231.

Prerequisite: PO231 (or permission of the department).

PO235 Political Thought from the Greeks to the 18th Century 0.5

This course covers the development of political ideas from classical Greece to the origins of classical liberalism. Particular attention will be paid to the writings of Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Machiavelli, Hobbes and Locke.

Prerequisite: Registration status: senior student.

PO236 Political Thought from the Enlightenment to Marxism 0.5

The development of political thought from the age of rationalism and revolution to the 20th century. Particular attention will be paid to the philosophes, Rousseau, Burke, Bentham, Mill, Green, the Utopian Socialists, Hegel, Marx and Lenin.

Prerequisite: Registration status: senior student.

PO240 Public Opinion and Political Attitudes 0.5

An introduction to the political perspective of the citizen in modern society with consideration of the nature and structure of mass political attitudes, how such attitudes are formed, how they change, and how they affect public policy.†

Prerequisite: Registration status: senior student.

PO241 Political Participation and Electoral Behaviour 0.5

A study of the citizen's involvement in politics, focusing on the nature, extent and consequences of participation, on explanations of the individual's voting decisions, and on explanations of electoral outcomes.†

Prerequisite: Registration status: senior student.

PO263 Canadian Government and Politics I 0.5

The environment in which Canadian politics takes place, including examination of political culture, constitutional arrangements, federalism, political socialization, public opinion, political cleavages and pressure groups.

Prerequisite: Registration status: senior student.

Exclusion: PO213, PO215*.

P0264 Canadian Government and Politics II 0.5

The workings of government in Canada with particular reference to parliament, the Prime Minister and cabinet, political parties and elections, the bureaucracy and the judiciary.

Prerequisite: Registration status: senior student.

Exclusion: PO214, PO215*.

PO275 Canada in a Global Context 0.5

The course is designed to examine Canada's place in an increasingly global political environment. The course begins with an examination of the domestic political challenges in Canada, including democratic renewal. The course then examines international concerns within a Canadian context. In each case, global issues are discussed and how they impact on Canada and the role that Canada can play in successfully meeting these challenges. (Cross-listed as CA275.)

Prerequisite: Senior student standing.

Exclusion: Honours Political Science programs.

PO310 Special Topics I 0.5

Consult the department for current offerings and prerequisites.

Irregular course

PO311 Special Topics II 0.5

Consult the department for current offerings and prerequisites.

Irregular course

PO312 The Urban Political Process 0.5

A study of urban government and politics, focusing on community power structure, political leadership and decision making, the electoral process and the communication systems, with reference to the structures of authoritative decision making and selected policy outputs.

Prerequisite: At least 1.0 senior credit in Political Science, Sociology, Geography or Economics (or permission of the department).

PO315 Politics and Society in Québec 0.5

An overview of Québec's political system including an examination of the pattern of its politics, factors affecting its social, economic and political development, and its relationship with English Canada.

Prerequisite: A senior 0.5 credit in Canadian politics.

PO316 Canadian Environmental Politics 0.5

This course examines the current state of environmental policy-making in Canada, both in terms of the domestic context for policy-making and the manner in which public officials formulate and implement policy. A series of case studies, such as air pollution, the urban environment and genetically modified organisms, are then examined in order to show interactions among factors associated with the context and policy process in Canada.

Prerequisite: Senior student standing.

Exclusion: PO311b.

PO317 Politics in Ontario 0.5

An examination of the political culture, political economy and political institutions of Ontario. Particular attention is paid to the province's changing role in Confederation.

Prerequisite: PO263 and P0264 (or permission of the department).

PO318 Politics in Latin America 0.5

This course explores key political concepts and themes in the study of Latin America in order to account for the establishment of specific forms of political regimes and patterns of development in a selected group of countries from the region.†

Prerequisite: PO227, PO228 (or permission of the department).

PO320 Women and Politics 0.5

An introduction to the predominant schools of feminist analysis – liberal, radical, Marxist, socialist, postmodern and global feminisms – and how they relate to selected topics of concern to contemporary feminists in different regions of the world. These topics may include women's representation (in politics, the workforce and our culture); women and international relations; and family politics.

Prerequisite: PO235 and PO236 and either PO205 and PO206 or PO227 and PO228 (or permission of the department).

Exclusion: PO310c.

PO321 Aboriginal Land Rights and Public Policy in Canada 0.5

A critical review of public policies concerning Aboriginal land rights or 'land claims'. Its focus is on federal policies since 1973, but attention will be paid to regional specifics and case studies. (Cross-listed as CA321.)

Prerequisite: Senior student standing.

Exclusion: PO310g.

PO324 American Political Controversies 0.5

An advanced course in American politics that will examine various debates and controversies. Topics include the original intent of the framers of the constitution, weaknesses of the electoral and party systems, whether the president can effectively govern, the legitimacy of the judiciary and the challenge of minorities.

Prerequisite: PO225, PO226 or permission of the department.

PO325 European Politics I 0.5

An introduction to European politics from a Canadian perspective, focusing on political institutions, political economies and political cultures, including a comparative analysis of selected European countries.

Prerequisite: PO205 and PO206 (or permission of the department).

PO326 European Politics II 0.5

A continuation of the political analysis of various European countries, using the comparative framework introduced in PO325.

Prerequisite: PO325 (or permission of the department).

PO331 Theories of International Politics 0.5

An advanced course exploring the intellectual tradition of international relations theories including such theories as realism, neo-realism, idealism, peace studies, gender analysis, critical school of analysis (Frankfurt), post-structuralism, world-systems and rational choice.

Prerequisite: PO231, PO232 (or permission of the department).

PO332 International Organizations 0.5

An intensive study of International Organization as a subfield of International Relations, including the application of concepts from this subfield to the study of specific contemporary international organizations, especially the United Nations.

Prerequisite: PO231, PO232 (or permission of the department).

PO333 International Law 0.5

An introduction to the nature, sources, and basic concepts of public international law, and to the role and value of international law both as a means of understanding international relations, and as an integral component of international relations.

Prerequisite: PO231, PO232 (or permission of the department).

PO334 Foreign Policy Analysis 0.5

A critical review of theories of foreign policy-making in international politics. Topics include systemic, state and domestic level analyses of the sources of foreign policy, the effects of national differences in policy-making structures and processes on decisions, and the issue of "learning" in foreign policy. Illustrative case studies will be drawn primarily, but not exclusively, from Canadian and U.S. experiences.

Prerequisite: PO231, PO232 (or permission of the department).

PO335 Selected Themes in Political Thought 0.5

A critical analysis of themes such as alienation, equality, power, morality, obligation, tyranny and the state, with reference to selected political thinkers.

Prerequisite: PO235, PO236 (or permission of the department).

PO336 Contemporary Political Mass Movements and Ideologies 0.5

A critical analysis of 20th-century manifestations of nationalism, fascism, corporatism, liberalism, socialism and conservatism in both the western and non-western world.

Prerequisite: PO235, PO236 (or permission of the department).

PO337 Canadian Political Ideologies 0.5

A study of the specific forms and content of the ideologies of conservatism, liberalism, socialism and social credit in Canadian history and modern practice.

Prerequisite: Either PO263 and P0264 or PO235 and PO236 (or permission of the department).

PO338 The Politics and Philosophy of Animal Welfare and Animal Rights 0.5

A study of the ideas and issues involved in the development of the animal respect movement. Such topics as animal experimentation, intensive farming and hunting will be examined.

Prerequisite: Senior student standing.

Exclusion: PO310f.

PO342 Constitutional Law I 0.5

A comparative study of constitutions and constitutionalism; constitutions as the "highest law", sources of validity, enforcement, amendment and the extra-legal growth.

Prerequisite: PO205 and PO206, or PO225 and PO226, or PO263 and P0264 (or permission of the department).

PO343 Constitutional Law II 0.5

A detailed analysis of constitutional theory and practice in Canada with special emphasis on current problems.

Prerequisite: PO342 (or permission of the department).

PO345 Theories of Public Policy 0.5

A conceptual examination of the policy-making process, featuring consideration of various theories of power and decision making, approaches to policy evaluation and problems of governing.

Prerequisite: Either PO205 and PO206 or PO263 and P0264 (or permission of the department).

PO346 Issues in Canadian Policy-making 0.5

A consideration of various contemporary issues that will serve to illustrate the functioning of the policy-making process in Canada. Examples will be drawn from such fields as foreign, economic, social and cultural policy.

Prerequisite: PO345 (or permission of the department).

PO347 Canadian Public Administration I 0.5

A comprehensive examination of the principles and practices of public administration within a Canadian setting. Important areas of study include the historical development of public administration as a field of study; the work of notable writers in the field; the ecology of public administration; the growth of the modern state and its effect on the public service administrator; the role of the public service within the Canadian federal government structure; and the structures and processes of Canadian Public Administration.

Prerequisite: PO263 and P0264 (or permission of the department).

PO348 Canadian Public Administration II 0.5

An intensive study of a number of contemporary problems of public administration in Canada with particular reference to the federal government. The major problem areas covered include administrative structures; recruitment and selection; training and career development; staff relations and collective bargaining; discipline and appeals; wage and salary administration; financial management and budgetary processes; and administrative responsibility.

Prerequisite: PO347 (or permission of the department).

PO349 Political Communication 0.5

A comparative examination of channels of information and techniques of communication prevalent in political systems; an analysis of the roles and behaviour of print and electronic media, advertising agencies, and the cinema in political propaganda and persuasion.†

Prerequisite: Either PO205 and PO206 or PO263 and P0264 (or permission of the department).

PO452 Political Parties 0.5

A systematic analysis of the typology and functions of political parties.

Prerequisite: Registration status: Year 4 Honours Political Science, and either PO205 and PO206 or PO263 and P0264 (or permission of the department).

PO453 Contemporary Issues in Canadian Politics 0.5

This course focuses on the impact of Canada's political institutions on political behaviour and policy outputs in Canada. It has four major objectives: analytical, professional, political and research. The first half of the course takes a broad overview of the Canadian political and policy setting from an institutional perspective. The second half examines a number of policy areas from these perspectives.

Prerequisite: Registration status: Year 4 Honours Political Science (or permission of the department).

Exclusion: PO497k.

PO454 Interest Groups and Social Movements 0.5

A comparative discussion, using specific case examples, of the role interest groups and social movements play in the political systems of industrialized nations.

Prerequisite: Registration status: Year 4 Honours Political Science, and either PO205 and PO206 or PO263 and P0264 (or permission of the department).

PO458 Executive-Legislative Relations in Canada and the United States 0.5

A comparison of the executive and legislative branches of government in Canada and the United States. Topics may include executive-legislative relationships in the two countries, relationships with other political institutions, basic issues in representation, and prospects for reform.

Prerequisite: Registration status: Year 4 Honours Political Science, and either PO225 and PO226 or PO263 and P0264 (or permission of the department).

Exclusion: PO497n.

PO459 Politics and Governance Beyond the State 0.5

A globalizing world can no longer be understood and analysed in terms of nation-states and international relations alone. While the European Union may be the first transnational polity in the making, similar trends are becoming visible worldwide. This seminar will explore major transformations in political institutions, political economy and political culture in European and global politics and governance.

Prerequisite: Registration status: Year 4 Honours Political Science, and PO325 and PO326 (or permission of the department).

Exclusion: PO497r.

PO466 Elections and the Political Order 0.5

An advanced seminar addressing the electoral process and the various factors that influence an individual's voting behaviour, with special emphasis on Canada and the United States.

Prerequisite: Registration status: Year 4 Honours Political Science, and either PO205 and PO206 or PO263 and P0264 (or permission of the department).

PO467 Public Opinion 0.5

An advanced seminar that explores the structure of political thinking at the individual level, examines factors accounting for individual differences in opinions and attitudes, and investigates factors affecting the movement of public opinion at the aggregate level.

Prerequisite: Registration status: Year 4 Honours Political Science, and either PO205 and PO206 or PO263 and P0264 (or permission of the department).

PO475 International Political Economy 0.5

A survey of major approaches to the study of international political economy, and of topics of interest in the field including states, markets, structures of power in the world economy and globalization.

Prerequisite: Registration status: Year 4 Honours Political Science, and either PO205 and PO206 or PO231 and PO232 (or permission of the department).

Exclusion: PO497l.

PO478* Social Science Theories 1.0

An examination of the nature and development of social science theories, the relationship of theory and research, and the theories and approaches that are commonly used to explain political phenomena.

Prerequisite: Admission to Year 4 of the honours program (or permission of the department).

Exclusion: PO478.

PO480 The Politics of Rights: Canada in a Comparative Context 0.5

This course examines the political implications of a Charter of Rights and Freedoms in a parliamentary and federal system of government. The course focuses on Canada but draws on the experiences of other nations to assess the effects of a constitutional Charter of Rights and Freedoms on the relationship between the judicial branch and the executive and legislative branches of government.

Prerequisite: Registration status: Year 4 Honours Political Science, and either PO205 and PO206 or PO263 and P0264 (or permission of the department).

Exclusion: PO497p.

PO485 The Global Environment 0.5

In this course, students will discuss the major schools of environmental thought, the cultural and socio-economic context of environmental degradation, and the debates associated with different approaches to solving environmental problems. Major challenges associated with environmental politics, including trade and globalization, North-South conflicts and transboundary co-operation will also be covered.

Prerequisite: Registration status: Year 4 Honours Political Science (or permission of the department).

Exclusion: PO497h.

PO487 Transitions to Democratic Capitalism 0.5

This course examines political, economic, social and legal dimensions of changes taking place in post-communist states of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, and compares them with similar processes in selected former authoritarian states in Southern Europe, Latin America and Asia.

Prerequisite: Registration status: Year 4 Honours Political Science and 1.0 credit in Comparative (or permission of the department).

Exclusion: PO497y.

PO488 Conflict Analysis and Management: Theories 0.5

A systematic study of the theoretical literature and debates in the subfield of conflict analysis, management and resolution.

Prerequisite: Registration status: Year 4 Honours Political Science, and PO231 and PO232 (or permission of the department).

PO489 Conflict Analysis and Management: Case Studies 0.5

An application of current ideas and debates concerning international conflict, conflict management and conflict resolution to selected case studies in international relations.

Prerequisite: Admission to Year 4 Honours Political Science (or permission of the department).

PO490 Peace and Reconstruction 0.5

This course examines the problem(s) of postwar and post conflict reconstruction in states and societies. Using examples and case studies as well as conceptual frameworks, Peace and Reconstruction covers war and conflict termination and the political, economic, military, legal and societal issues arising from (and after) war's end.

Prerequisite: Registration status: Year 4 Honours Political Science and 1.0 credit in International Relations.

Exclusion: PO497a.

PO491 International Human Rights 0.5

This interdisciplinary course will address issues in the study of international human rights. The course will cover a number of common debates in the literature, including but not limited to cultural relativism and human rights, the role of human rights in foreign policy and the place of economic rights. Additional topics could include gender issues in human rights, and human rights and retrospective justice. (Cross-listed as GS491.)

Prerequisite: Registration status: Year 4 Honours Global Studies or Political Science (or permission of the department).

Exclusion: PO497p.

PO492 Comparative Genocide Studies 0.5

This course will address the phenomenon of genocide in a comparative and interdisciplinary manner. Topics will vary from year to year, but the course will usually focus on four or five genocides, with a view to explaining their origins, how they were carried out, and national and international reactions. Topics will normally also include the international law of genocide; debates about the appropriate definition of genocide; discussion of the "roots of evil", or how ordinary people can be persuaded to participate in genocide; gender and genocide; the politics of memory; the role of bystanders nations; and the role of humanitarian intervention. (Cross-listed as GS492.)

Prerequisite: Registration status: Year 4 Honours Global Studies or Political Science (or permission of the department).

Exclusion: PO497q.

PO497 Special Topics 0.5

Consult the department for current offerings and prerequisites.

Prerequisite: Permission of the department.

Irregular course

PO499 Directed Studies 0.5

A detailed examination of a field or topic of interest not covered by the regular program. Consult current departmental regulations.

Prerequisite: Registration status: Year 4 Honours Political Science and permission of the department.

Irregular course

Faculty of Arts Faculty of Arts – Programs and Courses Political Science

Official electronic version updated at 10:33 a.m. March 31, 2005