Program Requirements

Program Requirements

The Political Science Department offers students with diverse interests a wide range of topical, thought-provoking courses in four fields of study: Canadian Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Thought. The Department's aim is to provide students with a rich and rewarding learning experience, one that sharpens their critical skills, engages them in political ideas and practices, and grounds them in the world, locally and globally. The program thereby provides students with a solid foundation on which to build their future careers. For all these reasons, students are strongly encouraged to Major in Political Science and, for those interested in pursuing more advanced study, to apply to the Political Science Department's Honours Political Science Q and A  program.

Departmental Policy for Majors
To earn a Major in Political Science, students must complete a minimum of forty-two (42) credit hours in Political Science courses.  These must include:

• Three (3) credit hours at the 1000-level in Political Science
• POLI 2304 Canadian Politics in the 21st Century
• POLI 2335 History of Political Thought
• POLI 2381 Comparative Politice l: Political Regimes and Government Institutions
• POLI 2383 International Relations l: Actors, Structures, Processes
• Twenty-one (21) credit hours at the 2000 level or above

Courses at the 4000-level are reserved for upper-level students who have successfully completed at least two years of full-time study.  Students are required to have completed at least 60 credit hours in university before taking a 4000-level course in Political Science.

To declare a Major in Political Science, students are required to have a minimum overall GPA of C (2.0 of 4.3) in their Political Science Courses.  Upon declaring a Major, students are also required to meet with the Department Chair, to review program requirements and course selection options.

In order to continue in and to graduate with a Major in Political Science, students must achieve and maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 out of 4.3 in Political Science courses and a minimum degree grade point average (DGPA) of 2.00.

Departmental Policy for Honours
The objective of the Bachelor of Arts Honours program in Political Science is to attract and graduate students with a demonstrated capacity to conduct original research independently. Students interested in pursuing postgraduate degrees are particularly encouraged to apply. See the Q and A link for more details: Honours Political Science Q and A .

Admission Requirements
Students should officially apply for admission to the Honours program upon the completion of their 1000 and 2000-level Political Science course requirements. Forms are available from the Registrar's/Records Office or online. As part of the admissions process, students are required to meet with the Department Chair.  The Department will assign an Honours supervisor and will approve the major area of concentration.

In order to be considered for admission to the Political Science Honours program, a student must normally have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.33 in both Political Science and non-Political Science courses. Students are reminded that the admission requirements mentioned above constitute a minimum.

Requirements for Continuance in and for Graduation with Honours in Political Science
In order to continue in and to graduate with Honours standing, students must meet the Faculty of Arts requirements for the Honours Bachelor of Arts degree. Honours students must also achieve and maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.33 out of 4.3 in Political Science courses and a minimum degree point average (DGPA) of 3.33.

Honours students must complete a minimum of sixty (60) credit hours.  These must include:

• Three (3) credit hours at the 1000-level in Political Science,
• POLI 2304 Canadian Politics in the 21st Century
• POLI 2335 History of Political Thought
• POLI 2381 Comparative Politice l: Political Regimes and Government Institutions
• POLI 2383 International Relations l: Actors, Structures, Processes
• POLI 4500 Honours Thesis
• POLI 4510 Honours Seminar
• POLI 4520 Honours Colloquium, and
• Twenty-seven (27) credit hours in Political Science at the 2000 level and above.

The Department may consider as equivalent either two three (3) credit hour seminar courses, or a six (6) credit hour seminar in a cognate discipline, or upgraded senior-level courses in the Department, in lieu of the Honours seminar and/or colloquium requirements.

Honours students must submit an Honours Thesis (10,000 words) in their major area of concentration by March 15 of their final Honours year.  The Honours supervisor and Department must approve the Honours essay before a degree is recommended.

Honours students are encouraged to register for thirty (30) credit hours in the final Honours year.

Departmental Policy for Minors
To earn a Minor in Political Science students must complete at least twenty-four (24) credit hours in Political Science courses, including at least three (3) credit hours at the 1000-level in Political Science and twenty-one (21) credit hours at the 2000-level or higher.

In order to continue and to graduate with a Minor in Political Science, students must achieve and maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 out of 4.3 in Political Science course and a minimum degree point average (DGPA) of 2.0.

Departmental Policy for Concentration
Students who intend to obtain a concentration in Political Science in partial fulfillment of the B.A. General degree (i.e., one with Double Arts Concentrations and a minimum of ninety (90) credit hours), must complete three (3) credit hours at the 1000-level and twenty-one (21) credit hours at the 2000-level and above.  The student must also obtain a minimum degree point average (DGPA) of 2.00.