Political Science Programs (BA)

Chair
Matthew Hennigar

Professors Emeriti
Carl Baar, Leah Bradshaw, Daniel Madar, David T. Siegel

Professors
Charles Conteh, Hevina S. Dashwood,Timothy Heinmiller, Pierre Lizée

Associate Professors
Stefan Dolgert, Nicole Goodman, Blayne Haggart, Paul Hamilton, Matthew Hennigar, Pascal Lupien,Ingrid Makus, Livianna Tossutti

Assistant Professors
Joanne Heritz, Danielle McNabb, Liam Midzain-Gobin

Academic Advisor / Seminar Coordinator
Diane Leon

General Information

Claire Gallop

Administrative Assistant

905-688-5550, extension 3476
Plaza 328
brocku.ca/social-sciences/departments-and-centres/political-science
political.science@brocku.ca

Politics affects everyone. It is through politics that the future of the world we inhabit is shaped. Aristotle called politics the master science because he recognized how wide and pervasive politics is. The interests of political scientists are diverse. They include conflict at city hall or in the courtroom; the arguments and processes through which our national existence might be preserved; the collapse of Communism and the struggle to establish new political arrangements in its place; the role of pressure groups in shaping public policy; electoral reform; the control of civil servants; the rule of law among nations; the place of moral principle and national interest in the conduct of foreign policy; or how far any citizen might have the right or duty to disobey an unjust law. Political Science offers us the opportunity to become freer human beings and citizens because, whatever the subject of our immediate inquiry, the focus is always upon the ideas, institutions and processes that shape our lives.

The BA Honours program provides students with the opportunity for a more intensive examination of issues in the field.

Political Science may be combined at the Honours or Pass level with other disciplines, the choice depending upon the student’s interests and capabilities. As well, it is possible, within the departmental offerings, to arrange a thematic program of study around a selection of courses built to suit the student’s particular interests.

All students in Political Science especially those proceeding to graduate studies or to a career in the public service, are encouraged to become proficient in a language other than English, normally French. Students who develop interests in a particular geographical area are urged to select related courses in history, language and literature. Questions about the Political Science program should be directed to the Undergraduate Advisor.

Political Science Co-operative (Co-op)

The Political Science Co-op program combines academic and work terms over a four and one-half year period. Students spend two years in an academic setting doing course work prior to taking the first work term. In addition to the current fees for courses in academic study terms, Political Science Co-op students are assessed an annual administration fee (see Schedule of Fees ).

Eligibility to continue is based on the students major average and non-major average. A student with a minimum 70 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent non-major average will be permitted to continue. A student with a major average lower than 70 percent will not be permitted to continue in the Political Science Co-op program. If a student subsequently raises their major average to 70 percent, the student may be readmitted to the Co-op program only if approved by the Co-op Education Office in consultation with the Department.

All students in the Co-operative Education program are required to read, sign and adhere to the terms of the Student Regulations Waiver and Co-op Student Manuals (brocku.ca/co-op/current-students/co-op-student-manuals) as articulated by the Co-op Education Office. In addition, eligibility to continue in the co-op option is based on the student’s major average and non-major average, and the ability to demonstrate the motivation and potential to pursue a professional career.

Each four-month co-operative education work term must be registered. Once students are registered in a co-op work term, they are expected to fulfill their commitment. If the placement accepted is for more than one four-month work term, students are committed to complete all terms. Students may not withdraw from or terminate a work term without permission from the Director, Co-op Education Office.

The Political Science Co-op program designation will be awarded to those students who have honours standing and who have successfully completed a minimum of twelve months of Co-op work experience.

Students whose primary interest is in public policy and administration as a field of study, or as a potential career are advised to consider the Co-op program in public policy and administration, outlined below. This program leads to a BA (Honours) Political Science.

Public Policy and Administration Co-operative (Co-op)

Public policy refers to the laws and regulations created by governments, and public administration the political, legal and managerial dimensions of the public sector that implements those policies . Designed to equip students with the necessary skills, knowledge and practical experience to provide them with a competitive edge in seeking employment in the Federal, Provincial or Municipal levels of government, the Public Policy and Administration Co-op program combines academic and work terms over a four and one-half year period. Students spend two and one-half years in an academic setting studying political science with a specialization in public administration and public policy prior to their first work term. In addition to the current fees for courses in academic study terms, co-op students are assessed an annual administration fee (see Schedule of Fees ).

Eligibility to continue is based on the student’s major average and non-major average. A student with a minimum 70 per cent major average and a minimum 60 per cent non-major average will be permitted to continue. A student with a major average lower than 70 percent will not be permitted to continue in the Public Policy and Administration Co-op program. If a student subsequently raises their major average to 70 percent, the student may be readmitted to the Co-op program only if approved by the Co-op Education Office in consultation with the Department.

All students in the Co-operative Education program are required to read, sign and adhere to the terms of the Student Regulations Waiver and Co-op Student Manuals (brocku.ca/co-op/current-students/co-op-student-manuals) as articulated by the Co-op Education Office. In addition, eligibility to continue in the co-op option is based on the student’s major average and non-major average, and the ability to demonstrate the motivation and potential to pursue a professional career.

Each four-month co-operative education work term must be registered. Once students are registered in a co-op work term, they are expected to fulfill their commitment. If the placement accepted is for more than one four-month work term, students are committed to complete all terms. Students may not withdraw from or terminate a work term without permission from the Director, Co-op Education Office.

The Public Policy and Administration Co-op program designation will be awarded to those students who have honours standing and who have successfully completed a minimum of twelve months of Co-op work experience. This program leads to a BA (Honours) Political Science.

Program Notes

1. Students are encouraged to take courses from at least three of the designated subfields in Political Science.
2. With the permission of the Undergraduate Advisor, methods courses which are required in other departments/centres may be considered equivalents for POLI 2P80  or POLI 3P91 . If approved a 0.5 POLI credit at the same level would be required instead.
3. Students in the Honours program with concentration in Public Law are strongly recommended to complete SOCI 1P90  and SOCI 1P91  (1F90).
4. Students may not take ACTG 2P40  to satisfy elective requirement.
5. In the combined Political Science and Business program FREN 1F90  is recommended as the Humanities context credit, MATH 1P97  is recommended in year 2, ECON 2P21  or ECON 2P23  is recommended in year 2 and ECON 3P14  and ECON 3P15  are recommended in year 3.
6. In 20 credit Honours degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; at least three credits must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
   
   In this 20 credit BA with Major degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least four and one-half credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above and at least one and one-half credits must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
   
   In 15 credit degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
   
   In some circumstances, in order to meet university degree and program requirements, more than 15 or 20 credits may be taken.