Eligible Political Science Courses
Eligible 3000 Level Political Science Courses
3001F/G: Studies in Transitional Justice and Post-Conflict Reconstruction
This course explores issues inherent to regions facing the aftermath of large-scale events of social violence, including war, genocide, and authoritarian rule, with an emphasis on questions of justice and post-conflict reconstruction. Students will examine specific cases of recent attempts to establish just responses to conflict within affected communities.
Antirequisite(s): Transitional Justice 3001F/G.
Prerequisite(s): Transitional Justice 2001F/G or Political Science 2203F/G.
3200E: Understanding September 11th
In what ways were the attacks of September 11th significant? This question is examined primarily using the 2001-2002 responses to the event of international relations theorists. Associated themes include "Terrorism", "Anti-Americanism", "American Exceptionalism", "Imperialism", "Legitimacy", "Democracy", "Globalization" and "International Law". 2 hours, 1.0 course
Antirequisite(s): The former Political Science 393E if taken in 2006-07 and 2007-08.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E.
3201F/G: Issues in International Law
This course explores the political implications of international law. It examines competing approaches and considers the nature of international law. International law is discussed in the context of contemporary issues, including dispute settlement, terrorism, humanitarian intervention, international impunity, the law of the sea, and human rights.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3345E, the former Political Science 3330E, 390F if taken in 2006-07, 415E if taken in 2007-2008.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E.
3203F/G: International Crises
This course interrogates global security issues through critical approaches, including feminist, Marxist and Gramscian, post-modern, environmentalist and post-colonial. It examines key dominant issues, such as nuclear weapons, but also alternative issues, such as racism in security policies, indigenous peoples' security, masculinity and warfare, and capitalism and the military-industrial complex.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E, or the former International Relations 2702E
3205F/G: Africa in World Politics
Africa is growing in importance in International Relations. The place of Africa in world politics will be examined using the writings of prominent (mostly African) international relations theorists. As part of this, we will examine the ideas of ‘Africa’, the state, power, imperialism, legitimacy, institutions, and colonialism.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3390F if taken in 2012-13 or 2013-14.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E.
3206F/G: Political Risk Assessment
Policy makers in business and government have a need to understand political risks faced in the various countries where they operate. The course uses contemporary cases to evaluate the major theories of political risk assessment to provide students with the tools needed to understand this increasingly important industry.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3411F/G if taken in 2013-14 or 2014-15.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2245E or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E AND enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Political Science or International Relations or permission from the Department.
3208F/G - Global Climate-Change Politics
This course explores international climate change negotiations, the evolution of multilevel climate governance, and the factors that shape policy outcomes. Topics include: history of climate negotiations; negotiating positions of key countries and their domestic policy; global political dynamics and policy debates; and the role of leadership, norms, discourse and persuasion.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3314E if taken in 2014-15 or earlier.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E.
3209F/G: Foreign Policy Analysis
This course explores the dynamics of foreign policy creation with emphasis on the Canadian context. We will examines who creates foreign policy, how it is implemented, and critically assess policy documents and outcomes. This will include discussion of issues such as counterterrorism, humanitarianism, militarization, trade, financial governance and bilateral negotiations.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3401F/G if taken in 2013-14 or 2014-15, the former Political Science 3333E.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E.
3210F/G: Canada-U.S. Relations
This course will critically assess the state of Canadian-American relations through different perspectives, issues and policy debates. Topics include theories and arguments related to North American integration and divergence from local, regional and global perspectives; economic and political integration; and developments in defence, security, environment, culture and labour.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3326E if taken before 2018-19.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2230E or Political Science 2530F/G, or Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2244E or Political Science 2544F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E.
3213F/G: Comparative Authoritarianism
Historically, most political regimes have been authoritarian, and there is no sign of authoritarianism’s disappearance. This course addresses the sources of authoritarianism, the varieties of authoritarian regime, the institutions and practices supportive of dictatorship, the causes of authoritarian decline and failure, and the authoritarian impulses residing within some democratic regimes.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2531F/G or Political Science 2545F/G, or permission of the instructor.
3220F/G: Politics of the Global South
This course focuses on three areas: democracy, development, and society, using a comparative lens (e.g., Why are some countries more democratic than others?). The course also studies how institutions and political processes affect these three areas.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3412F/G if taken in 2023-24.
3314E: Global Environmental Governance
This course explores the theory and practice of global environmental governance. It offers a comprehensive overview of existing international policy on various ecological issues such as climate change. Through classroom simulations of global negotiations, students will analyze the political, economic, and social factors that shape outcomes in environmental politics.
Antirequisite(s): Global Environmental Politics offered as the former Political Science 455G in 2005-06 and 455F in 2006-07, Political Science 3379F/G
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E.
3317F/G: Interest Groups and Social Movements
An analytical study of interest groups and social movements. Topics include: theoretical approaches to interest group formation; the role of groups and movements in the policy-making process; their effectiveness as agents of democratic representation. Particular attention will be paid to the role of interest groups in Canada.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3338E
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2230E or 2244E or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E.
3321F/G: Politics of India
An introduction to the politics and history of the world's largest functioning democracy. India's experience provides insight into the political process of a poor, developing country with a long history of colonialism that successfully constructed a constitutional government, republican in principle and parliamentary in institutional terms.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2245E or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E.
3322F/G: Latin America in Global Perspective
An introduction to the political economy of Modern Latin America examines how the continuing interactions between foreign and domestic economic forces have shaped Latin American politics. It explores what is distinctive in the region about the present dynamics and processes associated with globalization.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2245E or 2231E, or History 2501E or Anthropology 2216F/G, or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E.
3323F/G: The Politics of Latin America
Major themes have dominated discussions of the politics of Latin America, including populism, revolutionary struggle, military rule, democracy and participation, social movements and the quest for meaningful citizenship. A number of country-case studies highlight continuities and changes in the contemporary politics of the region.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2245E or 2231E, or History 2501E or Anthropology 2216F/G, or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E.
3324F/G: Introduction to Research Methods in Political Science
This course introduces students to a range of methodological approaches to questions in political science. Students will become familiar with qualitative and quantitative data sources and ways of using each to address political issues.
Prerequisite(s): Enrollment in Honors Specialization in Political Science, Honors Specialization International Relations, or Major in Political Science.
3325F/G: Data Science Methods for Politics
This course introduces students to a range of methodological approaches to questions in political science. Students will become familiar with qualitative and quantitative data sources and ways of using each to address political issues.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3324F/G.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2325F/G.
3329F/G: The Politics of the Middle East
This half-course in comparative politics introduces the Middle East in world politics and explores the issues relating to political and economic development, war and peace in the region through the second-half of the twentieth century to present times.
Antirequisite(s): The former Political Science 2243E (Main Campus), the former Political Science 2143E (King's College), and Political Science 2243E (King's College)
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E, 2245E, or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E.
3340F/G: The Rise and Fall of Communism in the USSR and Eastern Europe
Communism had a great impact on the politics and history of Europe and parts of Asia in the twentieth century. This course explores the form of communism which turned the collapsing Russian empire into the USSR, spread to Eastern Europe after World War Two and eventually collapsed in 1989-91.
Antirequisite(s): History 3419F/G
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E, 2245E, or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E.
3341F/G: The Post Communist Transformations
The collapse of communism in Europe had a profound impact on countries where the ideology had dominated. It also ended the bipolar international system and ushered in a new era in international relations. This course examines domestic, regional, international and transnational dimensions of these transformations.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E, 2245E, or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E.
3343F/G: European Union: The Politics of Integration
This course will survey the sources in history of European integration, the institutions and policy-making approaches that have resulted from these developments, and the extent to which the European Union has moved in a state-like or democratic direction and will do so in the future.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E, 2245E, or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E.
3344F/G: Western European Politics: States, Nations, and Regimes
This course provides a detailed introduction to Western European politics, with an emphasis upon Britain, France, Germany, and Italy. Topics include: state and nation formation, early experiences of autocratic and parliamentary rule, the sources and nature of post-WWII democracies, and the recent resurgence of nationalism and regionalism.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science2248E
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2245E, or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E.
3365F/G: Political Economy - North South
This course examines the nature of relations between developing and industrialized states with special focus on such issues as development, aid, trade, investment, food and agriculture.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3358F/G, 3357E
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2211E or Economics 1021A/B and Economics 1022A/B or the former Economics 1020
3366E: International Conflict Management
An examination of theories and strategies of international conflict and conflict management, including the causes of war, arms control, and various methods of reducing or eliminating conflict.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E
3367F/G: Political Economy: North America
An examination of the impact of North American economic and social integration on Canada/U.S. relations. Consideration is given to the applicability of various theories of political integration and economic interdependence to the case of Canada and the United States.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E, or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E.
3388E: International Human Rights
This course will provide an overview of the topic of human rights, from its origins to its 21st century reality, to its various conceptions, theoretical notions, and instruments. It will look at issues of concern, abuses and potential solutions.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 2219E, the former 209E offered 2001 to 2004 at Huron.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or 2245E or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E.
3390F/G: Special Topics in Political Science
Topic available in Department.
Prerequisite(s): Enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Political Science, or permission of the Department for students not registered in Political Science programs.
3397F/G: Current Affairs in World Politics
This course explores contemporary issues in world politics through active student engagement. Students will examine world politics “as it happens” through news in the mass media, and conduct a “reality check” by testing academic concepts and theories of international relations against current affairs. Theoretical topics include sources of power, the use of force versus diplomacy, the role of international institutions, morality and ethics in world politics, and the interplay between domestic politics and international relations. The course emphasizes class discussions and political analysis in international security, global political economy, environmental politics and human rights.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3352E
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or International Relations 2701E
3401F/G: Topics dealing with Canadian Foreign Policy
This course will help you critically assess Canadian Foreign Policy and explain the changes in policy over time. We will emphasize the different actors in the creation of foreign policy, as well as specific policies, their implantation and outcomes. We will address a range of perspectives and debates about the creation of foreign policy and address issues such as human security, trade relations, war, sovereignty and immigration. This course has three main objectives. First, this course is designed to outline and allow you to assess the perspectives and issues that shape the context and creation of Canadian Foreign Policy. This will provide a foundation for any future interests in Canadian and International Relations and establish a foundation for future research in areas and topics that are of interest to you. Second, the assignments in this course are designed to help you develop your critical thinking in ways that relate to specific issues and events in Canadian Foreign Policy. While we will cover a range of debates and issues, you need to decide which you find most interesting and which you will focus on in your work. Third, by the conclusion of this course you should be able to provide a critical and original argument about Canadian Foreign Policy.
3411F/G: Special Topics in IR/Comparative Politics
Political Risk Assessment.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E OR Political Science 2245E or International Relations 2701E AND enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Political Science or International Relations, or permission of the Department for students not registered in those programs.
3412F/G: Special Topics in IR/Comparative Politics
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or International Relations 2704F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E AND enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Political Science or International Relations or permission from the Department.
3501F/G: Great Debates in International Relations
The theoretical study of international relations has been shaped over the years by enduring ideas of political philosophers, historians, economists and practitioners of the diplomatic craft. In this course a few of the dominant ideas and themes in international relations study, and the legacy of major thinkers, will be discussed. This is a half-credit course, and every effort will be made to divide time between lectures and seminar discussions on the weekly readings and recommended texts.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3352E
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E
3502F/G: Theoretical Approaches to World Politics
Theoretical approaches to the study of international relations need to be tested and evaluated in the context of world politics through study of events, and how major global events have shaped the international system. In this course the evolution of the post-Cold War international system, of what it means or represents, will be analytically discussed through examination of some key events and issues. This is a half-course credit, and every effort will be made to divide time between lectures and seminar discussions on the weekly readings and recommended texts.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 3352E
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E
3510F/G: Decolonizing Politics
This course traces the colonial lineage of political science and political studies through a decolonial reading of key texts. With an emphasis on the role of the academy in imperialism, racism, settler colonialism and hierarchies of intersectionality, this course examines the subfields of political science and forms of decolonial mobilization.
Antirequisite(s): International Relations 2704F/G or the former International Relations 2702E.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 1020E.
3540F/G: The Politics of Immigration and Citizenship
This course will examine immigration policy and governance with a primary focus on Canada, but in comparison with other countries. Topics include immigration policy, refugee resettlement and asylum claims, temporary foreign workers, access to citizenship, and anti-immigrant sentiment.
Prerequisite(s): One of: Political Science 2530F/G, Political Science 2230E, Political Science 2531F/G, Political Science 2231E, Political Science 2537F/G, Political Science 2237E, Political Science 2545F/G or Political Science 2245E.
3588F/G: International Human Rights
This course provides an overview of the topic of human rights, from its origins to its 21st century reality, to its various conceptions, theoretical notions, and instruments, looking at issues of concern, abuses and potential solutions.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 2219E, the former Political Science 3388E.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G
Eligible 4000 Level Political Science Courses
4201F/G: The UN and Global Governance
The seminar examines current issues before the United Nations and assesses the organization's contributions to the resolution of diverse global problems. It assesses the UN's objectives, structure and decision-making procedures and evaluates current UN policies and activities on a range of contemporary issues. Current proposals for reform are assessed.
Antirequisite(s): The former Political Science 3345E, 417F if taken in 2006-07, 415E if taken in 2004-05, 2005-06, 2007-2008.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E.
4208F/G: Politics and Media in a Globalized World
Does the government control the media—or do the media control the government? Do the news media educate or manipulate the citizenry? Much of what we know about politics, political leaders, party politics, or public policy comes from the media - television, radio, newspapers, and the internet. This course looks at the relationship between politics and media, explores how media, civic engagements, and politics are intertwined. It notes how constantly changing technology affects media systems and thus democracy, drawing on examples from around the world.
Prerequisite(s): Enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Honors Double Major or Honors Specialization in Political Science or International Relations
4209F/G: Political Strategy & Communication
This course provides an advanced introduction to some of the practical skills involved in political campaigns including lobbying/advocacy campaigns by businesses and NGOs and election campaigns. It focuses on developing specific skills related to strategy, tactics and communications using case studies and practically-oriented assignments.
Prerequisite(s): Enrolment in Main Campus 3rd or 4th year Political Science or International Relations Honors Specialization
4212F/G: Cyberpolitics
Designed to critically assess political perspectives on contemporary issues related to the politics of cyberspace and cyber-governance, this course explores theoretical perspectives on cyberpolitics. A range of theories are examined such as decision-making procedures, the role of corporate, public and personal issues, including fake news, hacking, and international legal norms.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 4512F/G if taken in 2020-21.
Prerequisite(s): Enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Political Science, or permission of the Department for students not registered in Political Science programs.
4213F/G: Comparative Global Corruption
Political corruption has attracted intense and growing interest in recent decades. This seminar provides a critical look at the spread of corruption across the globe, the state of our knowledge about corruption and its causes, and the performance of various national and global campaigns against corruption.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 4512F/G if taken in 2015-16 or earlier.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E, Political Science 2245E, or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E or permission of the instructor.
4215F/G: Global Welfare States
This seminar explores the welfare state as a multifaceted phenomenon, which has assumed qualitatively different forms in different places. More recently, welfare states around the world have been subjected to significant pressure, and the causes, extent, and character of change will be subject to detailed debate.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 4406F/G.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E, Political Science 2245E, or International Relations 2702E, or the former International Relations 2701E or permission of the instructor.
4401F/G: American Foreign Policy
Contemporary theories and models of foreign policy decision making will be used to explain U.S. political, economic and security relations. Selected case studies will highlight the many domestic and external factors thought to be responsible for influencing America's conduct in the international community.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E and Political Science 2244E
4402F/G: Diplomacy and International Negotiations
The course explores contemporary international diplomacy. Topics include: foreign policy institutions, treaty-making processes, diplomatic protocol, logistics of negotiations and their influence on political outcomes, and the role of power, strategy and cultural differences. Students engage in realistic classroom simulations of multilateral negotiations, role-play diplomats and gain practical bargaining experience.
Antirequisite(s): Political Science 4457F/G if taken in 2012-13 or 2013-14
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E
4403F/G: War On Terror
This course investigates network-centric warfare and the changing nature of 'war' from a theoretical standpoint. Students will examine the concept of 'terror' both as an historical phenomenon, and as part of a new kind of globalized phenomenon within the context of the 'global war on terror'.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2237E.
4404F/G: Globalization and National Sovereignty
The course is aimed to assess the impact of global interactions on the viability of the nation state. Some sessions will review global flows of capital, goods, services, technology, migration and communications and assess their effects on the capacity of national governments to exercise traditional instruments of national policy. Others will examine the extent to which these developments require a reconsideration of conventional theoretical perspectives on the state and international relations.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E
4406F/G: The European Welfare State
Is the European welfare state on the way out, or are the reports of its death greatly exaggerated? This seminar will deal with the status of the contemporary welfare state, within the context of its history, social and ideological foundations, and relationship to questions of citizenship, economic development, and European integration.
4408F/G: International Security
This course overviews current threats to international security such as nuclear weapons proliferation, terrorism, environmental degradation, and ethnic conflict. It also considers various approaches to alleviating these problems including UN peace support operations, regional alliances, espionage, arms control, and disarmament.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E.
4409F/G: The United States and the Middle East
The course explores the complex relationship between the United States and the Middle East, particularly since the establishment of Israel and the making of new states in the region. It will focus primarily on how the United States views and came to occupy a defining role in the region's politics.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E and Political Science 2244E.
4411F/G: Threats to Global Democracy
This course examines threats to democratic regimes. Why do some democracies succeed while others fail? We explore theory and specific countries to address topics include the state of global democracy, the definition and measurement of democracy and the influences of economics, institutions, militaries, society and international actors on democratization.
Antirequisite(s): The former Political Science 3347F/G if taken in 2011-12; Political Science 3390F/G if taken in 2010-11; the former Political Science 397F/G if taken in 2006-07 and Political Science 392E if taken in 2007-08.
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2245E or International Relations 2702E or the former International Relations 2701E.
4426F/G: Genocide
The course examines the theoretical and methodological issues related to the topic of genocide and considers empirical cases of genocide and genocidal acts, such as "ethnic cleansing." The course begins by looking at the definition of genocide, then moves to discuss more recent cases of genocides and genocidal acts.
Antirequisite(s): The former Political Science 413G taken in 2003-04, 459F taken in 2005-06 or 2006-07
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 3388E
4427F/G: Transitional Justice
This course aims to critically examine a number of the approaches to and difficulties with efforts in transitional justice and post-conflict social reconstruction
Antirequisite(s): Selected Topics course Justice After Atrocity offered as the former Political Science 414G taken in 2003-04, 456G in 2004-05, 461G in 2005-06 or 2006-07
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 3388E
4498F/G: Independent Study
Individual reading and research at an advanced level under faculty supervision. Students are responsible for arranging independent study credit with an individual faculty member. 0.5 Course.
Prerequisite(s): Written permission of instructor and department and a minimum 80% average the previous year.
4499F/G: Independent Study
Individual reading and research at an advanced level under faculty supervision. Students are responsible for arranging independent study credit with an individual faculty member. 0.5 Course.
Prerequisite(s): Written permission of instructor and department and a minimum 80% average the previous year.
4511F/G: Advanced Special Topics in IR/Comparative Politics
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E AND enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Political Science or International Relations or permission from the Department.
4512F/G: Advanced Special Topics in IR/Comparative Politics
Prerequisite(s): Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2531F/G, or Political Science 2245E or Political Science 2545F/G, or the former International Relations 2701E AND enrolment in 3rd or 4th year Political Science or International Relations or permission from the Department.
