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4.46.1 BA in Political Science
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University of Calgary Calendar 2022-2023 Faculty of Arts 4. Program Details 4.46 Political Science
4.46 Political Science
Overview of Programs and Procedures
Baccalaureate Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science

BA in Political Science with Co-operative Education

BA Honours in Political Science

BA Honours in Political Science with Co-operative Education

Concurrent BA in Political Science and Bachelor of Education

BA in International Relations

BA in International Relations with Co-operative Education

Concurrent BA in International Relations and Bachelor of Education

BA in International Indigenous Studies

BA in International Indigenous Studies with Co-operative Education

Concurrent BA in International Indigenous Studies and Bachelor of Education

Note: Minors are offered in Political Science, Security Studies, and International Indigenous Studies.

Introduction

The Department of Political Science offers courses in the principal fields of the discipline: Canadian government, political theory, comparative politics, and international relations. The BA (Political Science) program is designed to expose students to each of these fields, as well as to encourage an appreciation of the broader themes and issues that cut across them (see Courses Constituting the Field of Political Science for list of categories).

The Department of Political Science offers an Interdisciplinary Major in International Relations. The BA (International Relations) is designed to expose students to the diversity of approaches to the study of international relations while also providing an opportunity for individualized programs that reflect student interests. The program is structured around a common core set of courses, a regional cluster focused on a specific area of the world, and a thematic specialization focused on major approaches to the study of international relations.

The Department offers an interdisciplinary major in International Indigenous Studies. The BA (International Indigenous Studies) focuses on the culture, history, politics, and knowledge traditions of Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island and around the world. Students will deploy methods and tools from a wide variety of academic disciplines as they engage with issues of importance to Indigenous peoples.

In addition to the above, the Department also administers a Minor in Security Studies. Its interdisciplinary structure allows students to explore the multiple and interrelated dimensions of security through a variety of theoretical lenses, and across a range of geographical and historical contexts. The Minor will be of particular interest to students wishing to pursue advanced study in the Field or to those seeking employment in the security sector.

Contact Information

Website: arts.ucalgary.ca/political-science.

International Relations and International Indigenous Studies
Website: arts.ucalgary.ca/international-indigenous-studies.

For Program Advice

Students should consult a program advisor in the Arts Students’ Centre for information and advice on their overall program requirements. Advising contact information can be found online: arts.ucalgary.ca/advising.

Admission to the Major

Prospective students wishing to enter the BA (Political Science) Program, the BA (International Relations) Program or the BA (International Indigenous Studies) Program must meet the criteria listed in section A.5 Undergraduate Admission Requirements of this Calendar. Annual application deadlines are found in A.3 Deadline Dates for Undergraduate Applications for Admission and Transcripts.

Overlapping Programs

The Minor in Security Studies cannot be taken in conjunction with minors in History or Political Science.

Admission to Honours

The Faculty of Arts procedures for Admission to BA Political Science (Honours) established in section 3.3.2 Honours Degrees with a Major Field are applicable and provide the overall framework. Students wishing to be considered for admission into BA Political Science (Honours) program must have completed at least 30 units. The GPA for admission and continuation is typically higher than the 3.30 minimum set by the Faculty. Please see Department website for current admission and continuation GPA for Honours. Students wishing to apply to an Honours program must apply through their Student Centre for a change of program to Honours by February 1.

Courses Constituting the Field of Political Science
  • All courses labelled Political Science (POLI).

The following categories are provided for use in selecting courses to meet program expectations:

Canadian Politics: Political Science 321, 338, 408, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 431, 432, 433, 440, 444, 521, 524, 531, 551.

Comparative Politics: Political Science 279, 342, 359, 369, 371, 379, 433, 447, 453, 455, 463, 464, 465, 469, 470, 471, 473, 477, 554, 565, 569, 579.

International Relations: Political Science 283, 381, 435, 439, 479, 481, 483, 485, 487, 491, 492, 523, 543, 575, 581, 585, 587, 586.

Political Theory: Political Science 213, 328, 406, 407, 409, 411, 413, 417, 418, 503, 505, 506, 515, 519.

Other: Political Science 201, 357, 397, 398, 399, 415, 430, 451, 509, 590, 591, 597.

Note: Political Science 302, 402 and 502 will be designated as Canadian Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory and Other depending on the topic covered.

Courses Constituting the Field of International Relations
  • All courses labelled International Relations (INTR).

A. Core Courses: Anthropology 203, Economics 201, 203, Geography 254, 352, History 307, Political Science 381, International Relations 301, 501.

B. Thematic Clusters

The thematic clusters reflect major approaches to and foci within International Relations:

1. International Political Economy

This cluster focuses on the economic relations of states and other actors in the world economy, and the ramifications of these relations, including their political aspects.

Anthropology 303, 357, 379, 385, 393; Economics 321, 328, 337, 371, 377, 423, 425, 427, 527, 538; Geography 454, 456, 553, 558; Global Development Studies 375, 393, 403, 405, 485, 591; History 354, 395, 494; Philosophy 329; Political Science 379, 463, 485, 492, 579, 586; Sociology 487, 493.

2. Security and Strategy

This cluster focuses on the traditional core concerns of International Relations, including the use and threat of force, and the interaction of states.

Anthropology 343, 467; Geography 458; History 303, 333, 349, 381, 383, 402, 483, 485, 486, 488, 489, 490, 491.01, 491.02, 530, 544, 545; Political Science 435, 439, 470, 479, 491, 492, 519, 575, 585.

3. International Institutions and Governance

This cluster focuses on efforts by states to manage their co-existence through legal, institutional and other devices, both formally and informally.

Anthropology 371; Geography 354, 428, 530; History 491.01, 491.02; Indigenous Studies 407; Law and Society 415, Linguistics 309; Political Science 447, 451, 453, 463, 481, 483, 485, 487, 492, 506, 509, 523, 581, 587; Religious Studies 349; Sociology 487.

C. Regional Clusters

The regional clusters group courses to give students a deeper understanding of contemporary historical, cultural, political, economic and geographical force at work within a principal area of the world:

1. North America: African Studies 302, 305; Anthropology 355; Economics 328, 339; Canadian Studies 333; Geography 326; History 337, 351, 361, 463, 467, 530, 535; Political Science 321, 359, 435, 477, 491, 521, 523.

2. Latin America: African Studies 305; Anthropology 321, 421; Archaeology 345, 357; Economics 337; History 367, 467, 471, 472, 487, 569; Latin American Studies 311, 401, 501; Political Science 359, 473; Spanish 321.

3. Europe: African Studies 305; Central and East European Studies 313; Economics 337; French 391; Geography 330; German 317; History 333, 338, 412, 413, 416, 427; Political Science 359, 463, 464; Russian 317; Romance Studies 399; Spanish 321.

4. Asia/Pacific: Arabic Language and Muslim Culture 317, 319, 358; Chinese 317, 461; Economics 337; Geography 328; History 317, 397.03, 404; Japanese 317, 461; Political Science 359, 465; Religious Studies 303, 307, 317, 329, 357, 359; South Asian Studies 203, 303, 499, 531.

5. Middle East and North Africa: African Studies 303, 305; Anthropology 320; Arabic Language and Muslim Culture 317, 319, 358; Economics 328, 337, 427, 527; History 397.02; Political Science 359, 369, 469, 479, 569; Religious Studies 353, 357.

6. Africa: African Studies 302, 303, 305, 400, 401, 407, 501; Anthropology 320; Arabic Language and Muslim Culture 317, 319, 358; Archaeology 395, 399; Economics 337; History 397.01, 402, 573; Political Science 359, 371, 471; Religious Studies 339, 353.

Note: Global Development Studies 401 and 501 may be used towards either the International Institutions and Governance or International Political Economy cluster depending on the topic and subject to approval by the Program Co-ordinator.

Courses Constituting the Field of International Indigenous Studies
  • All courses labelled Indigenous Studies (INDG) and Indigenous Languages (INDL).

A. Core Courses: Anthropology 346; English 376; History 345, 443; Indigenous Studies 201, 303, 345, 407, 415; Indigenous Languages 301; Political Science 408; Sociology 307.

B. Canadian Focus: Anthropology 346, 355, 410, 541*; Archaeology 321, 419, 423; Art 314, 365.03, 414; Art History 367; English 376; Global Development Studies 403; History 345, 439, 443, 447, 493.19, 529; Indigenous Languages 301, 303; Indigenous Studies 343, 350, 351, 400, 492, 495, 496, 502, 506, 507; Linguistics 505, 531; Law and Society 335; Political Science 321, 338, 408, 523, 524; Psychology 492; Religious Studies 373*; Sociology 307, 401*, 421*, 475*.

C. International Focus: African Studies 201, 400, 501; Anthropology 320, 321, 357, 399*, 421; Archaeology 341, 343, 345, 357; English 493, 515*, 517*; Global Development Studies 393, 401*, 403, 485; History 461, 467, 472; Indigenous Studies 351, 399, 493, 494, 503, 504, 505; Latin American Studies 311, 401.13; Linguistics 531; Political Science 279, 371, 381, 470, 471, 473, 565, 579; Religious Studies 339; Spanish 473*, 499*.

*With approval of the Program Director.

Note: Special topics courses not listed may be approved and categorized by the Program Director.