2012-2013 Calendar Proof
POLITICS
Note: See beginning of Section F for abbreviations, course numbers and coding.
POLS 1201 Introduction to Canadian Politics
3 ch (3C/T) [W]
Survey course focusing on Canadian government and politics at the national level.
POLS 1301 Introduction to Comparative Politics
3 ch (3C/T) [W]
Summary comparisons of the political systems, cultures, and structures of various states,
derived from European and non-European examples.
POLS 2301 Politics of the Developing World
3 ch (3C) [W]
Overview of political issues facing developing countries.
POLS 2401 Introduction to Political Ideas
3 ch (3C) [W]
An introduction to the ideas and principles that serve as the foundation for Political Science.
Prerequisite: 1 term-course in Politics.
POLS 2601 Introduction to International Politics
3 ch (3C/T) [W]
General introduction to the historic and contemporary practices of international relations.
POLS 3007 Digital Democracy
3 ch [W]
This course examines technologically mediated political practices in liberal democracies.
POLS 3101 Constitutional Politics in Canada
3 ch (3S/T) [W]
Examines the structure and process of constitution-making, and conflicting visions of
constitutional change.
POLS 3112 Political Economy of Canada
3 ch (3S/T) [W]
Examines the political economy of Canada, with a focus on the contribution of the political
economy tradition to an understanding of Canada’s political, social and economic
development.
POLS 3201 New Brunswick Politics
3 ch (3S/T) [W]
An overview of the history and development of New Brunswick politics.
POLS 3205 Canadian Provincial Politics
3 ch (3C/S) [W]
Designed to provide the student with an overview of the nature of government and political
processes in the Canadian provinces.
POLS 3211 Contemporary New Brunswick Politics
3 ch (3S/T) [W]
Specialized study of current or selected issues in New Brunswick provincial politics.
POLS 3221 Canadian Political Issues I
3 ch (3C/S) [W]
Emphasis on current problem areas in Canadian Politics.
POLS 3222 Canadian Political Issues II
Emphasis on a selected problem area in Canadian Politics.
3 ch (3C/S)
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POLS 3225 Gender and Canadian Politics
3 ch [W]
Examines the role of gender in Canadian social movements, political parties and political
institutions, including Parliament, the courts and the media. Prerequisites: POLS
1201 or GEND 2001 .
POLS 3232 Language Issues in Canada
3 ch (3S/T) [W]
Study of linguistic duality in Canada, with particular attention to conflicts over language
rights.
POLS 3241 Canadian Voting Behavior
3 ch (3S/T) [W]
A study of the electoral system, representation, and voting behavior in Canada.
POLS 3252 Canadian Political Parties
3 ch (3S/T) [W]
Directed at a systematic study of the structure and functions of political parties in Canada.
POLS 3255 Interest Groups and Social Movements
3 ch [W]
Explores the development, goals, strategies and political impact of interest groups and
social movements.
POLS 3261 Canadian Federalism
3 ch (3C/S) [W]
Advanced analysis of specific issues affecting the federation.
POLS 3273 Canadian Intergovernmental Relations
3 ch (3C/S) [W]
Considers the relationships between federal, provincial and municipal governments, and
their impact on current issues.
POLS 3277 Political Leadership in Canada
3 ch (3S/T) [W]
Focuses on various aspects of political leadership at the federal level.
POLS 3283 Politics in French Canada
3 ch (3S/T) [W]
The politics and institutions of French Canada; in particular, the nature and sources of
relevant political changes within French Canadian society in Quebec and Acadian society in
New Brunswick.
POLS 3291 First Nations Government in Canada
3 ch (3C/S) [W]
Examines the politics and administration of the relationship between aboriginal peoples and
the Canadian state.
POLS 3292 Politics of Aboriginal Self-Government
3 ch (3C/S) [W]
A systematic analysis of the principles, structures and institutions of traditional and
contemporary aboriginal self-government in Canada.
POLS 3311 Government of the United States
3 ch (3C/L) [W]
An analysis of contemporary issues in American politics, derived from an understanding of
the concepts and structures of the national governmental system.
POLS 3322 The United States Presidency
3 ch (3C/L) [W]
An emphasis on the power relationships of the office of the Chief Executive.
POLS 3325 Gender and Comparative Politics
3 ch [W]
2012-2013 Calendar Proof
Comparative study of gender issues in selected countries, including women’s political
organizations, political participation and social policies affecting women. Prerequisites: POLS
1301 or GEND 2001 .
POLS 3333 Comparative European States
3 ch (3S/T) [W]
A comparative examination of selected European states, their political institutions, political
cultures and recent political issues.
POLS 3335 The Circumpolar North
3 ch (3C/S) [W]
A comparative analysis of political change and development in the Arctic region. Examples
drawn from the Soviet Union, Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Nordic Europe; pan-national
movements; and Canadian Arctic policy.
POLS 3341 Comparative Federalisms
3 ch (3C/S) [W]
A comparison of selected federal state structures. Definition of the problems and prospects
of federation in Canada, the United States, Russia and other examples.
POLS 3345 Political Behaviour
3 ch [W]
An examination of the foundations of political behaviour, public opinion, political
participation and political elites.
POLS 3355 Politics of the Environment
3 ch (3C/S) [W]
Focus on the public sensitivity to environmental/ecological issues, political responses to this
phenomena, and consequences of those responses. Uses a case-study approach.
POLS 3372 The State and Economic Interests
3 ch (3 S/T) [W]
Examines the role of the Canadian state in economic development, with emphasis on the
political dimensions of economic policy. Issues include the deficit, industrial policy, and
foreign elements.
POLS 3375 The Political Economies of Asia
3 ch (3S/T) [W]
Examines the political structures, decisions and processes underlying Asia's role in the
global economy.
POLS 3381 Politics of Asia
3 ch (S) [W]
Examines political resistance, rebellions and revolutions in selected Asian countries.
POLS 3401 Modern Political Thought
3 ch [W]
Examines a selection of major texts from the modern period of Western political theory,
encompassing classic statements of conservative, feminist, liberal, and socialist thought.
POLS 3421 Selected Topics in the History of Ideas
3 ch (3C/S) [W]
A comparison of various political thinkers on specific themes: natural law from Cicero to
Rousseau, social contract theory from Locke to Marx, etc.
POLS 3425 Canadian Political Ideas
3 ch (3S/T) [W]
This course surveys the tradition of Canadian political thought from Confederation to the
present.
POLS 3433 Montesquieu and the Enlightenment
3 ch (3S) [W]
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The examination of his influence on the Enlightenment.
POLS 3445 Rousseau and the Enlightenment
3 ch (3S) [W]
The examination of his influence on the Enlightenment.
POLS 3451 Marxism
3 ch (3S/T) [W]
A focus on the writings of Karl Marx. Other Marxist theorists may also be examined.
POLS 3456 Politics Through Film
3 ch (3C/S) [W]
Seeks to examine political principles through the medium of film. Tyranny, censorship,
totalitarianism, utopia, and liberty will be discussed through an analysis of a variety of films.
POLS 3463 Liberalism
3 ch (3S/T) [W]
Focuses on the core values and the exponents of liberal ideology.
POLS 3471 Study of Politics Through Literature
3 ch (3S) [W]
A multi-disciplinary analysis of the exposition of political ideas in works of classical and
contemporary literature.
POLS 3473 Politics and Media in Canada
3 ch [W]
Examines the role of the press as critics and opposition to government & the role of
government in regulating media. Designed as an upper level course for students majoring in
politics or with a background in media or communications studies.
POLS 3483 Theories of Rights
3 ch (3S/T) [W]
The concept of “right” and differing perspectives on rights discourse.
POLS 3494 Democracy
3 ch (S/T) [W]
Examines the concept, and the various theories, of democracy.
POLS 3501 Contemporary Issues in Public Policy
3 ch (3S/T) [W]
Examines the major approaches explaining and understanding Canadian public policy, and
applies them to a study of major public policy fields.
POLS 3601 Contemporary Issues in World Politics
3 ch (3S) [W]
Deals with current trends on the international scene including the global balance of power,
relations between superpowers, ideological conflicts, the developing world, war, revolution,
etc.
POLS 3603
Critical Perspectives on International Relations
Theory
3 ch (S) [W]
A seminar that centers on frameworks for understanding international relations including:
race, nationalism, political geography, de-territorialization, sovereignty, feminism, global
communication, humanitarianism, human rights, the state and political space, forms of
political conflict, identity theory, ethnography, and globalization.
POLS 3622 International Organization and Law
3 ch (3S/T) [W]
Study of supra-national organizations, and structures of international conduct; the effect of
both on inter-state relationships.
2012-2013 Calendar Proof
POLS 3625 Gender and International Politics
3 ch [W]
Introduction to the gender aspects of international relations including militarism,
nationalism, international political economy, the environment and human rights.
Prerequisites: POLS 2601 or GEND 2001
POLS 3631 Survey of Global Issues.
3 ch (3S/L) [W]
Current global issues such as war, militarism, the arms race, human rights and social
justice, ecological imbalance, economic inequalities, and alternative world organizational
structures, considered from international and interdisciplinary perspectives. General-interest
course.
POLS 3671 Web Activism
3 ch (S) [W]
Examines how Web activists use global communication technology in campaigns against
given governments.
POLS 3673 Global Communication and International Relations
3 ch (S) [W]
Examines the role of global communication media and technologies in international
relations. Discussion focuses on inter-governmental interaction, government links to
citizens, and the empowerment of sub-state and non-state actors
POLS 3675 Global News
3 ch (S) [W]
A seminar that focuses on the political meaning of global media communication. The rise of
international television news networks will be examined as a factor that influences
international relations.
POLS 3677 Information Technologies & Conflict
3 ch (S) [W]
A seminar based on the examination of new information technologies and their role and
impact on conflict. Discussion will focus on a variety of technological applications in order to
outline trends, features and theoretical implications.
POLS 3683 Human Rights
3 ch (3S/T) [W]
An examination of human rights in an international context, including international human
rights instruments, and enforcement and the implications of economic, political and cultural
globalization for human rights standards.
POLS 3901 Approaches to Political Research
3 ch [W]
A survey of the major approaches and techniques used to research and analyze politics.
Prerequisite: POLS 2401 .
POLS 4000 Honours Thesis
6 ch
Under the direction of a supervisor, an Honours student completes a thesis. Prerequisite:
Admission to the Honours programme.
POLS 4001 Honours Seminar in Politics
3 ch (3S/T) [W]
A compulsory seminar course for fourth year Honours students. Provides a broad overview
of key debates and some of the most influential writings in the field of political science.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Instructor.
POLS 4211 Special Topics in Canadian Politics
3 ch (3S/T) [W]
Advanced study of a specific subject in Canadian politics. Course topics will change
annually.
2012-2013 Calendar Proof
POLS 4226 Directed Reading in Canadian Politics
3 ch [W]
Open to students desiring further specialization, the course requires a research paper in
Canadian politics, supervised by an instructor in the subject area.
POLS 4311 Special Topics in Comparative Politics
3 ch (3S/T) [W]
Advanced study of a specific subject in comparative politics. Course topics change annually.
POLS 4336 Directed Reading in Comparative Politics
3 ch [W]
Open to students desiring further specialization, the course requires a research paper in
comparative politics, supervised by an instructor in the subject area.
POLS 4411 Special Topics in Political Theory
3 ch (3S/T) [W]
Advanced study of a specific subject in political theory. Course topics change annually.
POLS 4416 Directed Reading in Political Theory
3 ch [W]
The course is open to 4th-year students with a sufficient background and a special interest
in political theory. It can be taken only with permission of the relevant instructor.
POLS 4501 Politics Practicum
3 ch (LE)
Independent study course that provides students with volunteer experience working in a
politics related organization. It can only be taken with supervision by an instructor in the
subject area. Available to Politics Majors or Honours students.
POLS 4611 Special Topics in International Politics
3 ch (3S/T) [W]
Advanced study of a specific subject in international politics. Course topics change annually.
POLS 4646 Directed Readings in International Politics
3 ch [W]
Work on a research essay pertinent to specialized areas in international or comparative
politics, under an instructor assigned by the discipline.