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Summary of Changes for 2020/21 Calendar
Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà Calendar 2020-2021 COURSES OF INSTRUCTION Course Descriptions P Political Science POLI
Political Science POLI

For more information about these courses see the Department of Political Science website: .

Junior Courses
Political Science 201       Introduction to Government and Politics
A systematic introduction to the basic concepts and institutions of the process of politics.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-1T)
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Political Science 213       Political Ideologies
An introduction to the study of political ideologies such as nationalism, socialism, liberalism and fascism.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 279       Politics of the Global South
An introduction to political issues common to the developing regions of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, with special emphasis on topics such as democratization, globalization, development, and human rights.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 283       Issues and Trends in World Politics
Major trends and issues in world politics, such as international tensions, migration, ethnic conflicts, human rights and sustainable development.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Senior Courses
Political Science 302       Topics in Politics
Introductory examination of a topic in Political Science with a Canadian Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, or Political Theory focus.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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Political Science 310       History of Political Thought
An introduction to some of the most profound attempts to think about the meaning, limits, and possibilities of political life through an examination of selected central texts within the history of Western political philosophy.
Course Hours:
6 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 321       Politics and Government in Canada
An examination of institutions and political processes in Canada. Significant attention is paid to key institutions such as Parliament, the executive, federalism, the Constitution, and the courts. Emphasis is also placed on the way that political processes are shaped by these and other institutions.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 342       Law and Politics
An introduction to the interplay between legal and political personnel, institutions, and processes. Examination of these connections in democratic states focusing on Canada in comparative perspective, authoritarian regimes, transitional and hybrid regimes, and the international system.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Antirequisite(s):
Credit for Political Science 342 and 343 will not be allowed.
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Political Science 345       Indigenous Governance
An examination of the institutions and logics of Indigenous governance structures in Canada. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how inter-Indigenous modes of governance contrast with institutions created by non-Indigenous politicians and bureaucrats. Attention will be paid to kinship, gender relations, war and conflict, and treaty land management.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Antirequisite(s):
Credit for Political Science 345 and Indigenous Studies 311 will not be allowed.
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Political Science 357       Introduction to Public Policy Analysis
An introduction to themes and methods in public policy studies. The practical and normative problems facing governments in initiating, formulating, enacting, and implementing policy will be discussed. May include case studies.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 359       Introduction to Comparative Politics
An introduction to the central concepts, problems, and approaches that comprise the field of comparative politics. Emphasis may also be placed on key analytical challenges, competing methods, and basic governance systems in selected parts of the world.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 369       Governments and Politics of the Middle East
A survey and analysis of the organization and functioning of governments and politics of the contemporary Middle East, with emphasis on the social and economic environments which influence them.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 371       Governments and Politics of Africa
Political institutions of selected African states. The influence of class and tribal structure; political parties; elections, the source and nature of ideologies; and economic and social policies.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 379       The Politics of Development
A comparative survey of contemporary approaches to development theory and economics such as: modernization, neo-liberalism, post-development, critical globalism, gender and development, environment and development. Issues treated include poverty, cultural diversity, sustainability, and the role of state, market, NGOs, and science and technology.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 381       Introduction to International Relations
The structures and processes of international relations and foreign policy.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 397       Introduction to Research Methods
Introduction to the questions, strategies and rationales of political science research methods. Emphasis on the practical and theoretical advantages and disadvantages of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 398       Qualitative Research Methods
An introduction to qualitative research methods in Political Science. Topics may include qualitative methodology, elite interviewing, focus groups, content analysis, case studies and qualitative data analysis.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
3 units in courses labelled Political Science.
Antirequisite(s):
Credit for Political Science 398 and 599 will not be allowed.
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Political Science 399       Quantitative Research Methods
Quantitative research design, measurement, data collection, and data analysis, as conducted in Political Science.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-1.5T)
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Political Science 402       Advanced Topics in Politics
Advanced examination of a topic in Political Science with a Canadian Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, or Political Theory focus
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
3 units in courses labelled Political Science at the senior level.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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Political Science 406       Greek Love and Wisdom
A study of Ancient Greek attempts to address the relationship between love, sex, marriage, friendship, and how we might best lead our lives in a political community. Works by Aristophanes, Plato, Xenophon, Aristotle, Plutarch and others may be covered.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 310.
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Political Science 407       Classical Political Thought
An examination of selected classical texts from historians, dramatists and political philosophers with special focus upon the concepts relevant to political problems in the twentieth century.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 310.
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Political Science 409       The Foundations of Modernity
A study of selected sixteenth- to nineteenth-century political thinkers and themes foundational to the making and understanding of modernity in the West. Works by Rousseau, Kant, J.S. Mill, and others may be covered.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 310.
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Political Science 411       Recent Critics and Defenders of Modernity
A study of debates in recent political thought between theorists who take a strong stand against the universalistic and rational foundations of Enlightenment-based political thought (such as poststructuralists, postmodernists, communitarians, and Far Right populists) and defenders of Enlightenment modernity (such as liberals and Frankfurt School Critical Theorists).
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 310.
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Political Science 413       Politics and Literature
Political analysis of how selected works of literature articulate visions of order and disorder.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 310.
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Political Science 415       Politics through Film
An examination of the complex relationship between politics and film, through selected fictional and documentary works.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
3 units in courses labelled Political Science.
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Political Science 417       Feminist Political Theory
A comparative and critical survey of the main contemporary feminist approaches to political theory: this may include liberal feminism, radical/cultural feminism, socialist/Marxist feminism, and post-modern/post-colonial feminism.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 310 or 453.
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Political Science 422       Indigenous Politics in Canada
An introduction to historical and contemporary socio-political issues associated with Indigenous peoples and state-society relations in Canada.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
3 units in courses labelled Political Science or 3 units in courses labelled Indigenous Studies.
Antirequisite(s):
Credit for Political Science 422 and 424 will not be allowed.
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Political Science 425       City Government
A study of both institutions and political processes relating to city politics.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 321.
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Political Science 426       Federalism
Theoretical and empirical examination of federalism in Canada and other selected states.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 321.
Antirequisite(s):
Credit for Political Science 426 and 325 will not be allowed.
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Political Science 427       Government and Politics of Alberta
An analysis of the institutions and processes of Alberta's government as well as activities in selected policy areas. The examination will include historical as well as contemporary references.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 321.
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Political Science 428       Comparative Provincial Politics
An analysis of provincial politics in Canada focusing on the distinctive political environments as well as similarities and differences in provincial political cultures, party systems and elections, and selected policy areas.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 321.
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Political Science 429       Electoral Behaviour
An examination of how and why citizens engage with their governments. Topics may include individual and group influences on citizen participation, electoral choice, and political behaviour in Canada and other democracies.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
3 units from Political Science 321 or 399.
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Political Science 430       Public Opinion
An investigation of theories of public opinion in representative democracies and of survey techniques employed in their examination. A portion of the course will normally be devoted to developing and administering a public opinion survey.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
3 units in courses labelled Political Science.
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Political Science 431       Canadian Political Parties
An examination of political parties and party systems in Canada. Party history is reviewed and attention is given to issues relating to organization, finance, representation and electoral competition.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 321.
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Political Science 432       Selecting and Removing Political Leaders
An examination of the processes political parties use to choose and remove their leaders. The focus is on Canadian parties with comparisons to selected parties in other countries.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 321.
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Political Science 433       Urban Policy and Governance
Examination of policy issues in Canadian cities, with a special focus on domains involving complex governance challenges. Emphasis on the consequences of policy governance for urban public policy, political authority, and democratic accountability.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
3 units in courses labelled Political Science at the 300 level or above.
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Political Science 435       Canada and World Politics
An analysis and evaluation of Canada's role on the international scene; main objectives of Canadian foreign policy; security and defence policies; Canada's participation in universal international organizations; the influence of Canada as a middle power upon world events.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 381.
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Political Science 439       Strategic Studies
An analysis of the causes of war, the meaning of security and defence in the post-Cold War era, including the use and control of military force.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 381.
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Political Science 440       Campaigns and Elections
Explores election campaigns in Canada through case studies of key elements such as the selection of candidates, the building of campaign teams and the strategies and tactics parties use to elect candidates and win general elections.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 444       Constitutional Law and Politics
The law and politics of the Canadian constitution, including the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the federal division of powers, and responsible parliamentary government.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 321 and 342.
Antirequisite(s):
Credit for Political Science 444 and either 442 or 445 will not be allowed.
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Political Science 447       Comparative Public Policy
An examination of a range of public policy issues from a comparative perspective. Topics include social policy, family policy, immigration and multiculturalism, and environmental policy across the advanced industrialized democracies.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 357 or 359.
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Political Science 451       Public Administration
Theories of public administration and their practical application in Canada and selected countries.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 321.
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Political Science 453       Women and Politics
An examination of current trends in women’s political participation in Canada and around the world. Topics may include: women’s political behaviour, women’s political representation, and women’s movements’ engagement with political institutions.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 359 or 321.
Antirequisite(s):
Credit for Political Science 453 and 553 will not be allowed.
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Political Science 455       Protest, Rebellion, and Revolution
A study of the origins, processes, and outcomes of peaceful and violent forms of political protest, rebellion and revolution. Cases may include historical and contemporary examples from around the world.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 359.
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Political Science 463       Politics of Post-Industrial States
Comparative analysis of the political dynamics of post-industrial states. Focus on problems associated with post-industrialization and on explanations for political stability and change.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 359.
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Political Science 464       European Politics
An introduction to the governments and politics of the states and societies of Europe, including the importance of their membership in the European Union.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 359.
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Political Science 465       Chinese Politics
An introduction to the politics of the Chinese communist party-state. Topics may include: the Mao era leadership debates on socialist development; the post-Mao reforms of Deng Xiaoping and his successors; and the emerging challenges associated with market reforms and China’s integration into the global capitalist economy.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 359.
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Political Science 469       Middle East: Contemporary Political Problems
An in-depth analysis of selected political, economic and social problems and issues affecting individual nations and the area in general.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 369.
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Political Science 470       Genocide
An introduction to comparative genocide studies. Examines the causes, structures, and dynamics of genocide and mass violence.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
3 units from Political Science 359, 381 or Law and Society 201.
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Political Science 471       Africa: Contemporary Political Problems
An analysis of political problems in selected political systems of Africa. Topics will include the politics of rural development, political elites and the state in Africa, political institutions, constraints on development, and urban politics.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 371 or African Studies 301.
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Political Science 473       States Regimes in Latin America
An analysis of how selected Latin American states and societies are addressing both old and new problems such as the transitions from and legacies of dictatorship, political and criminal violence, as well as the construction of democratic institutions and inclusive citizenship.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 359.
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Political Science 477       American Politics
A study of the institutions and processes of American politics.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 359.
Antirequisite(s):
Credit for Political Science 477 and 377 will not be allowed.
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Political Science 479       International Relations of the Contemporary Arab World
An examination of the Arab regional system, with emphasis on regional interaction, regional organizations, and external linkages. The specific cultural, political, ideological, and strategic characteristics of the system will be analyzed.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 369.
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Political Science 481       The Politics of Human Rights
An analysis of the origins, evolution, and contemporary politics of human rights. Topics may include the philosophic and religious roots of human rights; international and domestic human rights laws; and struggles to promote and protect human rights in specific contexts around the world.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
3 units from Political Science 310, 359, 381.
Antirequisite(s):
Credit for Political Science 481 and 571 will not be allowed.
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Political Science 483       International Law
The basic concepts, principles, and functions of international law.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 381.
Antirequisite(s):
Credit for Political Science 483 and 383 will not be allowed.
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Political Science 485       Global Political Economy
Analysis of the politics of international economic relations. Topics may include the politics of trade and money relations, energy, multinational corporations, and the New International Economic Order.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 381.
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Political Science 487       International Organizations
An analysis of international governmental organizations with main emphasis on the United Nations and selected regional organizations.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 381.
Antirequisite(s):
Credit for Political Science 487 and 385 will not be allowed.
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Political Science 491       U.S. Security Policy
Examination of U.S. security policy, with emphasis on how it is made and on contemporary security issues the U.S. faces.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 381.
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Political Science 502       Advanced Topics Seminar in Politics
Advanced seminar on a topic in political science with a Canadian politics, comparative politics, international relations, or political theory focus.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3S-0)
Prerequisite(s):
3 units in courses labelled Political Science at the senior level.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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Political Science 503       Selected Topics in Political Theory
Focus on perennial questions from classical to contemporary political theory, such as justice, the use of violence, and the goals of political life.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 310.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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Political Science 505       Sexual Ethics
An examination of attempts to theorize those things associated with human sexuality using works of historical and contemporary political philosophy. Topics may include: the nature of love and friendship, the good of marriage, limits of sexuality, and the place of justice, equality, and shame.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3S-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 310.
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Political Science 506       Social and Global Justice
An examination of contemporary theories and debates in social and global justice. Topics may include: the redistribution-recognition dilemma, multiculturalism, intersectionality, identity/post-identity politics, globalization, transnationalization, and post-Westphalian approaches to governance and democracy.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3S-0)
Prerequisite(s):
3 units from Political Science 310, 379, 381, 481 or 417.
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Political Science 508       Topics in Canadian Political Development
In-depth examination of the development and transformation of Canadian institutions and politics. Topics may include elections and electoral systems, political parties, federalism, Indigenous-state relations, urban politics, provincial politics, and parliamentary institutions.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3S-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 321.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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Political Science 509       Public Policy and Politics
Advanced seminar on the main theories and approaches to the study of public policy in political science. Topics may include health, welfare, immigration, and morality policy.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3S-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 357 or 447.
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Political Science 515       Advanced History of Political Thought
An intensive study of selected major political thinkers within the history of political thought.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3S-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 310.
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Political Science 519       Interpretation and War
An examination of the philosophical justifications offered to defend the use of military force, based particularly on the analysis of texts in the history of Western political philosophy.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3S-0)
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Political Science 521       Canadian Federalism
An examination of the dynamics of Canadian Federalism including relations among provinces and between provinces and the federal government.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3S-0)
Prerequisite(s):
3 units from Political Science 321, 426, 427 or 428.
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Political Science 523       Canada and the Circumpolar World
An examination of critical national and international issues in the circumpolar world.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3S-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 381.
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Political Science 524       Advanced Seminar in Indigenous Politics in Canada
Engagement with the contributions made by Indigenous scholars to rethinking Canadian politics. Emphasis on Indigenous scholars’ critiques of colonialism and settler-colonialism in Canada, and the decolonizing potential of Indigenous political thought.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3S-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 422 or Indigenous Studies 407 or completion of at least 60 units.
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Political Science 525       Energy Politics in Alberta
An examination of energy politics in Alberta. Topics may include the federal-provincial dimensions of energy politics and policymaking, environmental politics, and the economic dimensions of energy policy.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 321.
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Political Science 531       Parties, Elections and Representation
An examination of political parties and elections in both established and emerging democracies as a means of understanding the nature of political representation in modern representative democracies.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 431.
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Political Science 543       Law and Armed Conflict
An examination of key texts and topics concerning the evolution, conceptualization, codification, and practical application of the laws of armed conflict. Topics may include the historical and philosophical development of the customary and codified laws of armed conflict, military law and military training and education, and the use of law to punish and deter war crimes.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 342 or 483.
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Political Science 551       Women in Canadian Politics
A political history of women in Canada in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Topics include campaigns for suffrage, legal personhood and equality rights, women's political activism, the evolution of public policy concerning women, and the participation of women in public life.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 321.
Also known as:
(History 551)
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Political Science 554       Women and Public Policy
An examination of the impact of public policies on gender relations from a comparative perspective. Topics may include family and social policies, gender and the workplace, reproductive rights, and gender-based violence.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3S-0)
Prerequisite(s):
3 units from Political Science 357, 359 or 453.
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Political Science 561       Government and Politics of the European Union
An examination of the politics of the European Union. May be offered as a seminar or in preparation for and participation in a model European Council Meeting.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3S-0)
Prerequisite(s):
3 units from Political Science 359, 381 or 464.
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Political Science 565       Indigenous Politics in the Global South
Advanced examination of the competing theoretical explanations for the sudden and unexpected rise of Indigenous peoples as key political actors in countries of the Global South. May include Indigenous rights struggles in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3S-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 359 or Indigenous Studies 407.
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Political Science 569       Selected Topics in Middle East Politics
Emphasis will be on foreign-policy development and application in the Middle East.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3S-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 369 and 3 units of Courses Constituting the Field of Political Science in Comparative Politics or International Relations at the 400 level.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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Political Science 575       Intelligence and Policy  

An examination of the role and limits of intelligence in policymaking.


Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 381.
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Political Science 579       Political Economy of Development
Third World development projects, programs, and policies in Africa, Asia and Latin America, intended to raise the standard of living and enhance political participation.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Consent of the Department.
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Political Science 581       Selected Topics in International Law and Organizations
An advanced seminar on international order and on co-operative and competitive efforts by states and other international actors to create, maintain and change that order.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3S-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 483 or 487.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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Political Science 585       Preventing the Spread of Nuclear Weapons
An analysis of the politics of the international regime governing the control of nuclear weapons, including case studies of states that pose a challenge to that regime.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 381.
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Political Science 586       Advanced Studies in Global Political Economy
Advanced analysis of selected themes in global political economy. Topics may include trade, migration, exchange rates, and foreign direct investment.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3S-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 485.
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Political Science 587       International Ethics
An examination of ethical reasoning and moral norms in political decision making, institutions, and processes in international politics. Topics such as justice in relation to war and terrorism, sovereignty, intervention and human rights, globalization and global poverty, and the environment may be analyzed.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 381 or 310.
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Political Science 590       Honours Seminar
An examination of classic works in political science.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3S-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Admission to Political Science Honours program and completion of 75 units.
Antirequisite(s):
Credit for Political Science 590 and 499 will not be allowed.
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Political Science 591       Honours Thesis
Preparation of an honours thesis under the supervision of a faculty member who will assign the final grade.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 590.
Antirequisite(s):
Credit for Political Science 591 and either 500 or 504 will not be allowed.
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Political Science 597       Directed Readings in Political Science
Study of a particular topic under the direct supervision of a faculty member.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Consent of the Department.
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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Graduate Courses

Courses numbered 600-799 are offered either as special reading courses or as seminars, as required. Students should consult the Department regarding enrolment in these courses.

Political Science 605       Advanced Introduction to Sexual Ethics
An advanced introduction to theorizing human sexuality using works of historical and contemporary political philosophy. Topics may include: the nature of love and friendship, the good of marriage, limits of sexuality, and the place of justice, equality, and shame.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3S-0)
Antirequisite(s):
Credit for Political Science 605 and 505 will not be allowed.
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Political Science 606       Social and Global Justice
An examination of contemporary theories and debates in social and global justice. Topics may include: the redistribution-recognition dilemma, multiculturalism, intersectionality, identity/post-identity politics, globalization, transnationalization, and post-Westphalian approaches to governance and democracy.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 615       Advanced History of Political Thought
An intensive study of selected major political thinkers within the history of political thought.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3S-0)
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Political Science 617       Advanced Political Theory
Discussion of contemporary topics in political thought. Emphasis on analysis of problems rather than history of ideas.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 619       War and Interpretation
An examination of the philosophical justifications offered to defend the use of military force, based particularly on the analysis of texts in the history of Western political philosophy.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 621       Canadian Political Institutions
Examination of the structure and operation of the central institutions of the Canadian state, including the constitution, federalism, parliamentary government, and political parties.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 623       Canadian Political Process
Examination of Canadian political behaviour within its institutional context, including political parties, interest groups, voting and socialization.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 624       Advanced Seminar on Indigenous-State Relations in Canada
Structure and operation of colonialism and settler-colonialism in Canada, and Indigenous resistance to those structures of oppression. Attention will be paid to the reconciliation debates, Indigenous gender oppression, and the politics of decolonization in Canada.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3S-0)
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Political Science 631       Parties, Elections and Representation
An examination of political parties and elections in both established and emerging democracies as a means of understanding the nature of political representation in modern representative democracies.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 633       U.S. Security Policy
An examination of U.S. security policy, with an emphasis both on how U.S. security policy is made and on the main contemporary security issues the U.S. faces today.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3S-0)
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Political Science 641       Selected Topics in Public Law
Examination of the political, philosophical, and institutional dimensions of selected public law issues, with particular reference to judicial and quasi-judicial tribunals as policy-making institutions. Consult the Department for information on choice of topics.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 643       Law and Armed Conflict
An examination of key texts and topics concerning the evolution, conceptualization, codification, and practical application of the laws of armed conflict. Topics may include the historical and philosophical development of the customary and codified laws of armed conflict, military law and military training and education, and the use of law to punish and deter war crimes.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 651       Politics and Public Policy
An examination of the main theories and approaches to the study of public policy.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 653       Gender and Public Policy
Explores the gendered impact of a range of public policies and also explores the influence of gender norms and ideas on the formulation of public policy. Topics covered include gender-based policy analysis, gender and the welfare state, family and child-care policies, policies to address gender inequalities in the labour market and workplace, and reproductive rights policies.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 665       Advanced Seminar on Indigenous Politics in the Global South
Advanced examination of the competing theoretical explanations for the sudden and unexpected rise of Indigenous peoples as key political actors in countries of the Global South. In-depth case studies may include Indigenous rights struggles in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3S-0)
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Political Science 671       Comparative Politics of Development in the Global South
An examination of the major issues, theories, and debates about development and politics in the Global South.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 673       Comparative Politics: Theories and Methods
An examination of the main theories, methods, and debates in the field of Comparative Politics.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 675       Selected Topics in Advanced Comparative Politics
Selected regions and topics in Comparative Politics.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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Political Science 681       Advanced Analysis of International Relations
An examination of the main theories, issues, and approaches in the study of International Relations.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 683       Advanced Studies in Foreign Policy
Selected themes in the formation and implementation of foreign policies.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 684       Human Rights and Humanitarianism
An advanced introduction to the principal contemporary debates in the field of human rights and humanitarian politics.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Antirequisite(s):
Credit for Political Science 684 and 571 will not be allowed.
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Political Science 685       Strategic Studies
Advanced seminar in major topics in strategic studies, such as arms control, deterrence, and other military doctrines.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 686       Advanced Seminar in Global Political Economy
Covering in-depth major debates in global political economy, provides an advanced exploration of the causes and effects of globalization, including the determinants of foreign economic policymaking (such as trade, money, migration, global production, finance, and foreign aid) as well as the subsequent impact of these policies.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3S-0)
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Political Science 687       Advanced Studies in Canadian Arctic Security  
The Canadian Arctic is an emerging area of concern due to changes scarcely imaginable even a few years ago. Examines the nature of some of these changes—e.g., climate change and the northern seas’ dramatically changing ice conditions, growing recognition of the regions’ resource wealth, and evolving international relations in the circumpolar region—and what they mean for Canadian Arctic security.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3S-0)
Antirequisite(s):
Credit for Political Science 687 and 523 will not be allowed.    
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Political Science 689       Unconventional Warfare
Analysis of warfare conducted by, or against, sub-state groups. This may include in-depth studies of guerrilla warfare, asymmetric conflict, or terrorism.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 691       Quantitative Analysis in Political Science
Examination of empirical research methods and techniques of quantitative analysis in the study of political phenomena. Computer use is required.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-1)
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Political Science 693       Advanced Quantitative Analysis in Political Science
Examination of advanced empirical research methods and techniques of multivariate quantitative analysis in the study of political phenomena.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 691.
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Political Science 697       Major Research Paper
Preparation of a major research paper under the supervision of a faculty member who will assign the grade.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
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Political Science 699       Qualitative Analysis in Political Science
An introduction to qualitative research methods in Political Science. Topics may include qualitative methodology, elite interviewing, focus groups, content analysis, case studies and qualitative data analysis.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
Prerequisite(s):
Political Science 691.
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Political Science 715       Special Topics in Political Theory

Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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Political Science 721       Special Topics in Canadian Politics

Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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Political Science 723       Special Topics in Political Science

Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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Political Science 725       Special Topics in Public Administration

Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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Political Science 741       Special Topics in Public Law

Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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Political Science 755       Special Topics in Public Policy

Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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Political Science 781       Special Topics in International Relations

Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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Political Science 791       Scope and Methods in Political Science
Advanced seminar covering various approaches, topics, methods and theories employed in the discipline of political science.
Course Hours:
3 units; (3-0)
MAY BE REPEATED FOR CREDIT
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