Introductory Courses
1003. Foundations
of Liberal Democracy
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the fundamental
principles of the liberal democratic political regime. The course will
be divided into three main components: a discussion of liberalism; a discussion
of equality; and an examination of how liberal democratic principles are
incorporated into parliamentary and congressional political regimes. 3
credit hours.
1006. Introduction to Political Science
This course is normally taught as part of the Aquinas Programme. Through
the study of a small number of core texts, it provides an introduction
to some of the key questions at the centre of political life. The course
provides students with a solid foundation in the history of political
thought. It also concentrates on the development of the skills in logical
analysis, writing, and political argument necessary for upper-level courses
in the discipline. 6 credit hours.
1013. Law, Power, and Politics
This course provides an introduction to the concepts of citizenship, the
rule of law, political obligation, civil disobedience, and revolution.
It will involve the study of power in terms of the forms of domination
and the concept of legitimacy. We shall explore questions such as "why
obey the law?" and "what are the legitimate limits of government
authority?" 3 credit hours.
1103. Law, Power, and Canadian Politics
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. 3
credit hours.
1113. Politics and Women
This course is concerned with women's approach to democratic citizenship.
It establishes the historical and conceptual basis of the problem of citizenship
for women against which it discusses women's political participation and
the feminist critiques of it. 3 credit hours.
1603. Law, Power, and Global Politics
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. 3 credit hours.
Canadian Government and Politics
2106. Canadian
Politics
This course examines some of the perennial problems in Canadian political
life — French-English relations, regional discontent, federalism,
multiculturalism, electoral politics, and institutional reform. Prerequisite:
POLS 1103 or permission of the instructor. 6 credit hours.
3103. Political Parties and Elections in Canada
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. 3 credit hours.
3113. Canadian Federalism: Theory and Practice
This course examines the idea of federalism in Canada and how those ideas
take shape in the practice of Canadian federalism. Attention is paid to
the political theory of federalism, the institutions of federalism, and
the diversities which underlie the Canadian federal system. 3 credit hours.
3123. The Canadian Constitution: Federalism (CRIM 3233)
This course will focus on the manner in which the evolution of constitutional
law has shaped the Canadian federal system. The course will proceed primarily
by means of class discussion of leading constitutional decisions and by
student presentations. 3 credit hours.
3133. The Canadian Constitution: The Charter of Rights and Freedoms
(CRIM)
This course will focus on the impact our constitution has had on civil
liberties in Canada. The course will proceed primarily by means of class
discussion of leading constitutional decision and student presentations.
3 credit hours.
3203. Canadian Provincial Government and Politics
The course offers a comparative view of the Canadian provinces. Provincial
cabinets, party systems, legislative development, and economic and social
issues are considered. Special attention is directed to the problem of
Quebec in Confederation. 3 credit hours.
3206. Public Administration
This course is designed to introduce students to the theory and practice
of public administration. The course consists of two semesters of classroom
instruction in the theory of public administration. Attention will also
be given to the development of skills necessary for use in the civil service.
6 credit hours.
3213. New Brunswick Politics
This course introduces students to the institutions and politics of New
Brunswick. Issues discussed may include the development of the modern
state in New Brunswick, the accommodation of religion and language, party
politics, leadership, intergovernmental relations, and the province's
place in Canadian politics. 3 credit hours.
4103. Seminar in Canadian Government and Politics
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 2106 or permission of the instructor.
3 credit hours.
4106. Nationalism in French Canada (Seminar) (HIST 4856)
This course will examine the changing interpretations of nationalism in
French Canada during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and their
effect on the development of the present–day province of Quebec.
Prerequisite: Canadian survey or Quebec history course. 6 credit hours.
Comparative Government and Politics
2303. Comparative
Politics of the Developed World
This courses 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: 6 credits in Political Science
or permission of the instructor. 3 credit hours.
2313. Comparative Politics of the Developing Areas
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: 6 credits in Political
Science or permission of the instructor. 3 credit hours.
2323. Religion and Politics (RELG 2183)
Religious traditions and actors mobilize and in turn are mobilized by
political movements at international, national, and community-based levels.
Within a multi-religious and comparative framework, this course explores
the way in which religious and political identities, actors, and systems
interact on issues related, for example, to religiously-based political
parties, democratization movements, nationalism, fundamentalism, and the
politics of resistance. 3 credit hours.
3303. U.S. Government and Politics
This course examines the national political institutions of the United
States of America –Congress, the Presidency, the Supreme Court, and
the federal bureaucracy. Political parties, interest groups, elections,
and the role of the media will also be studied. Issues surrounding the
modern presidency, as well as those involving social and moral issues,
will be examined in a debate format. 3 credit hours.
3313. U.S. Foreign Policy
This course examines the foreign policy of the United States of America.
We will examine the roles of the Presidency, bureaucracy, and Congress
in the making of foreign policy. The history of American foreign policy
will be studied to contextualize present foreign policy and likely future
scenarios. The impact of U.S. economic policy in an era of globalization
will be explored.
Central to the course will be an investigation of the relationship of
the U.S. to other major powers and to international institutions. 3 credit
hours.
3403. Government and Politics of Western Europe
Countries studied are the United Kingdom, France, and the Federal Republic
of Germany. Emphasis is placed on the political history, political culture,
institutions of government and politics (especially political parties),
and current issues. 3 credit hours.
3413. The European Union and "Europe"
This course examines the formation and present politics of the European
Union (EU), a unique community of democratic countries that agreed to
delegate some of their sovereignty to common institutions. The course
will look at the history of European integration, the key institutions
and policies of the EU, and ongoing debates about European identity, EU
enlargement,
and economic developments in the Euro zone. 3 credit hours
4303. Seminar in Comparative Politics
Designed as an upper-level seminar for students of Political Science,
this course will focus on theories of comparative politics and their application
to a major issue of interest to the discipline. Prerequisite: POLS 2303
and 2313, or permission of the instructor. 3 credit hours.
International Relations and Foreign Policy
2603. Political
and Economic Integration in the Americas
This course will examine economic and political integration theory in
relation to theories of globalization, using the European Union and the
Americas as central cases. The course will analyze in depth the issues
of social justice, labour and environmental standards, poverty, gender
issues, capitalism, and social democracy. This course will have online
interactive features and may be taught in collaboration with other universities.
3 credit hours.
2606. International Relations
This course provides students with a comprehensive overview of the basic
theories of international relations in the 20th century, including realism,
liberalism, Marxism, and critical theories. The course discusses these
theories in relation to major issues and problems in the contemporary
international system, such as environmental issues, nuclear proliferation,
and culture in world politics. 6 credit hours.
3506. Human Rights in International Relations and Foreign Policy (NATI)
This course considers human rights in international relations. It focuses
on how the emerging human rights regime is affecting the practice of traditional
state sovereignty. Special attention will be paid to the political and
philosophical arguments around such issues as universal human rights versus
cultural relativism, and the problems associated with humanitarian intervention.
6 credit hours.
3513. Canadian Perspectives on International Law
The course covers the major topics of international law: the law creation
process, the law application process, participants in international law,
territory and resources, and international dispute settlement. The lectures
on each topic focus on particular Canadian economic, political, or
geographic characteristics that raise legal questions, and discuss how
Canada has interpreted and tried to influence the law in question. 3 credit
hours.
3523. International Relations in the Asia Pacific Region
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.
3 credit hours.
3603. The United Nations
This course emphasizes the role of international organizations in international
politics; that is, the UN is seen as part of international politics, and
our interest lies in its policies as well as in its structure and processes.
In addition, discussion of problems such as finance and membership, and
a range of international political issues involving the UN will be discussed.
These will include the maintenance of international peace and security,
development, population, and the environment. Each topic will include
selected case studies such as the Middle East, the debt crisis, and the
elaboration of UN programmes on population and the environment. 3 credit
hours.
3613. Model United Nations
This course will prepare students for participation in a Model United
Nations, either Canadian or American sponsored. In a model UN 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. 3 credit hours.
4603. Seminar in International Relations
This is a seminar directed primarily at senior Political Science Majors
and Honours students. The specific topic of the seminar will change from
year to year, but will consider, in depth, an issue or issues in international
relations. Students will be expected to do advanced research and to present
and defend their work in class. Prerequisite: POLS 2606 or permission
of the
instructor.
Political Philosophy
2703. Philosophy
of Human Rights (HMRT 3033) (PHIL 3313) (CRIM 2703)
This course will introduce to students philosophical questions concerning
the foundations of human rights. On what are human rights based? What
makes something a human right? Are human rights universally and permanently
valid or is the notion of human rights merely a construct
of Western culture? The course will familiarize students with alternative
theoretical answers to these and other related questions. 3 credit hours.
2806. The Western Tradition of Political Philosophy (PHIL 3306)
This course will introduce students to the following seminal texts in
the Western political tradition: Plato, The Republic; The Apology of Socrates;
Aristotle, The Politics; Machiavelli, The Prince; Hobbes, Leviathan; Locke,
Two Treatises of Government; Rousseau, Discourse on Inequality; Marx,
1844 Manuscripts; Communist Manifesto; Nietzsche, The Genealogy of
Morals. Prerequisite: 6 credit hours in POLS at the 1000 level or permission
of the instructor. 6 credit hours.
3706. Shakespeare and Politics (ENGL 3706)
This course will explore the works of Shakespeare in the context of Renaissance
political thought as reflected in his plays and in early modern political
texts. We will focus on the plays, although Shakespeare's non-dramatic
works may be included, as well as modern film adaptations.
Prerequisite: ENGL 1006 or permission of instructors. 6 credit hours.
3813. Classical Political Philosophy
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 2806. 3 credit hours.
3823. Modern Political Philosophy
The focus of this course is on the problems modern political philosophy
has confronted in attempting to show how nature can be used as a standard
for judging the best life and the just political order. The writings of
one or two of the following authors will be considered: Machiavelli, Hobbes,
Montesquieu, Rousseau, Burke, Jefferson, Nietzsche, and Heidegger. Prerequisite:
POLS 2806. 3 credit hours.
Honours
3913. Honours
Thesis Proposal
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.
At the end of the course, students will be required to present and defend
their proposals before their classmates and the full-time members of the
Department of Political Science. 3 credit hours, September to April.
4903. Capstone Seminar - Problems in Political Inquiry
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. 3 credit hours.
4923. Honours Thesis
The Honours thesis is an extended scholarly paper on a topic written under
the supervision of a faculty member who agrees to serve as thesis Director.
Students will be expected to follow the "Guidelines for the Honours
Thesis" published by the Department of Political Science. Students
must have completed POLS 4913, "Honours Thesis Proposal," with
a minimum grade
of "B" to be eligible for POLS 4923. 3 credit hours, first semester.
Independent Study
4003, 4013, 4006.
Independent Study
Students may undertake independent studies under the direction of a member
or members of the Department with the permission of the Department Chair.
The course is limited to students of proven academic merit. It is expected
that the students will have a clear idea of their area of
study, and they will be expected to submit a written proposal about it,
including a preliminary bibliography, research topic, and argument justifying
it as an independent course of study. 3 or 6 credit hours, depending on
the project.
NOTE: Not all courses listed are offered each year. Please consult
with the Department Chair for more information about current and planned
course offerings.