MA Major Essay
A major essay required of students following Scheme B, presented for discussion in a departmental forum.
MA Research and Thesis
A research project involving the preparation and defence of a thesis which shall demonstrate a capacity for independent work. The research shall be carried out under the supervision of a faculty member and shall be defended at an oral examination.
The Philosophy of Law
Traditional and contemporary accounts of law and their implications for issues of contemporary concern.
Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P01.
Ancient Political Theory
Premodern political philosophy examined in the works of Plato and Aristotle, emphasizing those features distinguishing ancient political science and philosophy from that of modernity.
Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P02.
Modern Political Theory
Modern political theory examined in selected texts. May focus on a theme such as historicism, consent, progress, equality or on a selected author, such as Rousseau, Kant, Hegel.
Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P03.
Politics and Tyranny
Comparative accounts of ancient and modern tyranny are examined with a view to assessing whether political domination has varied significantly in the western tradition.
Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P04.
Shakespeare's Politics
Issues of justice; politics, law and morality; republican, monarchical and tyrannical government as explored in selected Shakespearean comedies, tragedies, and histories.
Note: Taught in conjunction with POLI 4P05.
Philosophy, Politics and the Family
An examination of the relations that comprise the family and the significance of these for the political community as both have been treated by ancient and modern political philosophers and by contemporary feminists and their critics.
Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P06.
Postmodern Political Theory
Perspectives on the postmodern condition in the works of selected 20th century thinkers. Topics may include notions of the self, aesthetics and politics, reason and power, the construction of meaning.
Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P07.
Politics of Consent and Coercion
An exploration of important texts in the history of political thought that seeks to clarify the concepts of consent, obligation, coercion and their relationship to justice. Application of these concepts to contemporary debates about consent and the law, including sexual consent and medical ethics.
Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P08.
Canadian Civil Society, Institutions and Political Culture
This course examines the membership bases of political parties, interest groups and other non-governmental actors (i.e. professional associations, volunteer organizations, community and grassroots groups), and the respective roles they have played in setting the issue agenda, developing public policy and/or delivering government programs.
Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P12.
Federalism in Canada
Canadian concepts of federalism, judicial interpretation of the constitutional distribution of powers, the social, economic and cultural factors that influence federal-provincial relations, issues in federal-provincial relations, the impact of federalism on public policy, and the politics of constitutional change.
Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P14.
Canadian Political Economy
The political economy tradition in Canada, from the writing of Innis, Mackintosh and Creighton to contemporary neo-Marxist and dependency theorists. Topics may include foreign investments, regional development, the labour movement, resources and Canada's place in the new international economic order.
Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P15.
The Canadian Judicial Process
Procedures and processes of courts in civil and criminal cases and the impact of the procedures and practices on the administration of justice.
Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P19.
Globalization and Global Governance
Factors explaining the globalization of national politics and the reconstruction of politics at a global level. Topics may include policy problems linked to the effectiveness of international and national institutions; theoretical considerations on new concepts of politics and democracy in the globalized world.
Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P20.
The Global Political Economy
Examination of the international trade and monetary systems from the perspective of economic theory. Focus on the policy choices facing governments.
Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P21.
Canada and the Developing World
Canada's role in addressing global inequality in a comparative context. Topics may include the political economy of Canadian policies towards the developing world; international ethics; international cooperation on issues of vital interest to the developing world.
Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P22.
International Politics and National Security
Conditions affecting the use of force in the post-Cold War international system, with emphasis on the basis of state security and the effects of the security dilemma.
Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P26.
Theories of International Relations
Examination of international relations theory with emphasis on the nature of the international system and its relationship to the choices and actions of individual states.
Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P27.
Comparative Mass Media
Selected problems concerning the mass media and the political process in Canada and other states.
Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P32.
Comparative Judicial Systems
The nature of judicial power and legal processes throughout the world. Topics may include common law systems in the first world and third world in such countries as Australia, England, India and Singapore; civil law systems in the first world and third world in selected countries in Europe and Latin America; communist and post communist judicial systems in countries such as Cuba and Russia; evolution and change in legal systems.
Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P34.
Revolution or Reform? Political Change in the Modern World
Comparative study of patterns of transformation and transition of totalitarian, authoritarian and paternalistic systems towards political pluralism and democracy. Democratization in selected regimes, communist, nationalist and religious, in different parts of the world are drawn upon to examine the dynamics of political and social change.
Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P36.
Students completing this course will forfeit credit in POLI 5V36.
Nationalism and Ethnic Politics
A combination of theory and specific case studies examining the causes and consequences of nationalism. The origins and resolution of national conflict, the mobilization of ethnic groups and the role of international forces in what have been viewed traditionally as domestic conflicts. Case studies situate Canada's ethnic tensions within a broader comparative perspective.
Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P38.
Elites and Power
The bases of power and of the degree of power concentration in government, industry, bureaucracy and media in Canada, United States and other selected countries and an analysis of characteristics, life styles, interrelationships and actions of the individuals in senior positions of power.
Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P39.
Arab Politics
Topics include religion, pan-Arab nationalism and political culture; problems of economic development; the Palestinian factor in Arab politics; the Gulf War and its aftermath and a comparative analysis of ways in which political processes and institutions have influenced and responded to these forces.
Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P47.
Machinery of Government
The structures and processes of federal and provincial government in Canada. Emphasis on the operation of government departments, central agencies, regulatory agencies and crown corporations.
Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P50.
Managing the New Public Organization
Political and managerial dimensions of new developments in government organizations. Topics include administrative reform, innovation, collective bargaining, human resource issues, budgeting and comparisons with business organizations.
Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P52.
Business-Government Relations
The politics and management of relations between business organizations and governments in Canada, with particular emphasis on current research and issues. Topics include theories of business-government relations, the legislative and regulatory environment of business, public enterprise and privatization, lobbying and interaction among government, business, the media and labour.
Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P54.
Electronic Government and Democracy
The politics and management of information and information technology. Prospects for electronic democracy in such areas as citizen participation, electronic voting, lobbying and political campaigns. Implications of electronic government in such areas as service delivery, government reorganization, privacy, security, equity and accountability.
Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P59.
Great Works in Politics
A critical examination of some of the most significant writings in political science.
Core seminar.
Graduate Seminar in Canadian Politics
An examination of major aspects of Canadian government and politics and of different approaches to the study of Canadian politics through the discussion and analysis of significant books in the field.
Core seminar.
Graduate Seminar in Public Administration
An examination of significant writings and issues in public administration and bureaucracy.
Core seminar.
Graduate Seminar in Comparative Politics
A critical examination of significant writings and issues in comparative politics.
Core seminar.
Graduate Seminar in International Relations
A critical examination of significant writings and issues in international relations and foreign policy.
Core seminar.
Directed Reading
A reading course for students preparing for the major essay, POLI 5F90.
Problems in Political Theory
A particular writer, work or theoretical problem in political theory is examined.
Issues in Canadian Politics
A selected aspect of Canadian government and politics or an issue of contemporary concern.
Selected Problems in International Relations
Selected problems and issues drawn from both the system and nation-state levels of international politics.
Selected Topics in Comparative Politics
A comparative study of selected political institutions, processes or policies in various states.
Selected Topics in Public Administration
Selected problems and issues in public administration drawn from the federal, provincial and/or municipal levels.
Selected Topics in Canadian Public Policy
A field or topic in Canadian public policy, including the analysis of policy making and policy outcomes.
Political Science Tutorial
Guided readings on a particular topic which is not covered in the department's regular course offerings. Topics must be chosen in consultation with a faculty member willing to supervise the tutorial.
Prerequisite: permission of the graduate adviser and faculty supervisor.