ChairJeffrey MacLeod, BA (CBU), MA (Acadia), PhD (Western), Associate Professor
Admission RequirementsReview sections 2.1.4 Admission Requirements and 2.1.6 Additional Admission Requirements.
Major (20 Units)
Combined Major (20 Units)
Concentration (4.0 Units)
Minor (3.0 Units)
Political studies looks at socio-political change, power, conflict and governance at all levels of society, from the local to the global stage. Political ideas and values mould our society and shape the way we see and think. Political studies helps you understand why governments make the decisions they do, teaches you to critically evaluate the decisions and allows you to be an informed active citizen. As a political studies student, you will educate yourself in how political systems work, look at the sources of local, national and international conflict and grapple with current issues in political life.
In our programs, we emphasize three important areas of the discipline of political science: Canadian politics (both national and regional), political thought (both classical and contemporary) and international affairs. We encourage our students to sample from all these areas, to help them understand the political significance of globalization.
Note: Any student wishing to major or minor in political studies should consult with the chair of the department.
Major (20 Units)The degree with a major is intended for those students with a clearly focused interest who wish to gain knowledge in depth of a single discipline.
Students intending to complete the major degree must declare their intention to do so before registering for their sixth unit of coursework. Students who do not make this declaration within this time frame will not be permitted to register for further coursework.
| Students must successfully complete 20 units with the following requirements: |
| ❏ | a minimum of 8.0 and a maximum of 10 units in the major as follows:
❏ POLS 1100
❏ 1.0 unit in political theory selected from POLS 2210, 2213, 2214, 3312, 3314, and 4413
❏ 1.0 unit in Canadian politics selected from POLS 2201, 2202, 2205, 2219, 2223, 2227, 3303,
3306, and 4405
❏ a maximum of 2.0 units of directed study may be counted
❏ 3.0 units of POLS must be at the 3000 level or above
❏ a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 in the required 8.0 units of POLS |
| ❏ | a minor consisting of 3.0 units as specified by the department offering the minor. Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the required 3.0 units |
| ❏ | students may choose a second 3.0 unit minor in any area that offers a minor |
| ❏ | 1.0 unit from each core group A, B, and C listed under Bachelor of Arts (General Studies)
(exclusive of the major):
❏ Core A - Sciences & Mathematics (1.0 unit)
❏ Core B - Social Sciences (1.0 unit)
❏ Core C - Humanities (1.0 unit) |
| ❏ | at least 9.0 units must be at the 2000 level or above |
| ❏ | Note: No more than 4.0 units from professional areas may be counted toward the degree. Courses included in the Applied Human Nutrition science minor will not be counted as professional electives. |
Special Studies
Students may count a maximum of 4.0 units of directed/independent/research studies courses towards the degree, with no more than 2.0 units in any single discipline. |
Major CertificateStudents who have graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University with a Bachelor of Arts (General Studies) degree may apply to do a major certificate. Students must fulfill the requirements for the major degree listed above.
Combined Major (20 Units)
The combined major degree is intended for those students who wish to gain in-depth knowledge of two disciplines. Students must declare a major or combined major before registering for their sixth unit of coursework. Students who do not make this declaration within this time frame will not be permitted to register for further coursework.
| Students must successfully complete 20 units. In order to complete a combined major in Political Studies, the following requirements must be met: |
| ❏ | a minimum of 6.0 units and a maximum of 8.0 units in the Political Studies combined major as follows:
❏ POLS 1100
❏ 1.0 unit in political theory chosen from POLS 2210, 2213, 2214, 3312, 3314, or 4413
❏ 1.0 unit in Canadian politics chosen from POLS 2201, 2202, 2205, 2219, 2223, 2227, 3303,
3306, or 4405
❏ 3.0 additional units of POLS (Note: A maximum of 1.0 unit of POLS directed study may be counted)
❏ of the 6.0 units, at least 2.0 units of POLS must be at the 3000 level or above |
| ❏ | a second combined major specified by another program
(Biology, Canadian Studies, Chemistry, Cultural Studies, Economics, English, French,
History, Mathematics, Psychology, Sociology/Anthropology, Women’s Studies) |
| ❏ | a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 in the required 6.0 units of each combined major |
| ❏ | at least 5.0 units of the 12 units required for the combined majors must be at the 3000 level or above |
| ❏ | 1.0 unit from each core group A, B, and C listed under Bachelor of Arts (General Studies)
(inclusive of the major):
❏ Core A - Sciences & Mathematics (1.0 unit)
❏ Core B - Social Sciences (1.0 unit)
❏ Core C - Humanities (1.0 unit) |
| ❏ | at least 9.0 units of the total 20 units must be at the 2000 level or above |
| ❏ | Note: No more than 4.0 units from professional areas may be counted toward the degree. Courses included in the Applied Human Nutrition science minor will not be counted as professional electives. |
Students wishing to combine an arts major and a science major (e.g. Chemistry and English or Biology and Political Studies):
❏ must meet all of the requirements listed above
and
♦ to complete a BSc (Combined Major) primary science discipline plus secondary arts discipline
❏ must complete a minimum 12 units of the total 20 units in science disciplines
♦ to complete a BA (Combined Major) primary arts discipline plus secondary science discipline
❏ must complete a minimum 12 units of the total 20 units in arts disciplines
Concentration (4.0 units)
To obtain a concentration in Political Studies, students must fulfill the following requirements:
❏ POLS 1100
❏ 0.5 unit from POLS 2213, 2214, 3310, 3312, 3314
❏ 2.5 additional units of POLS, 1.0 unit of which must be at the 3000 level or above
Minor (3.0 units)
To obtain a minor in Political Studies, students must fulfill the following requirements:
❏ POLS 1100
❏ 2.0 additional units of POLS, 1.0 unit of which must be at the 3000 level or above
Students will find ample opportunity to supplement their program in political studies with courses in Canadian studies, economics, history, philosophy and sociology.
Areas of Concentration
|
POLS 2201
POLS 2202
POLS 2205
POLS 2207
POLS 2218/HIST 2218
POLS 2219/HIST 2219
POLS 2223/WOMS 2223
POLS 3303
POLS 3304
POLS 3306/BUSI 3306
POLS 3307/SOAN 3307
POLS 3309
POLS 3361/WOMS 3361
POLS 4405 | POLS 2210/PHIL 2210
POLS 2213/PHIL 2213
POLS 2214/PHIL 2214
POLS 3310
POLS 3312/PHIL 3312
POLS 3314/PHIL 3314
POLS 3315
POLS 3316
POLS 3317
POLS 4413 | POLS 2224
POLS 2227
POLS 2244
POLS 3308/LING 3308
POLS 3324
POLS 3325
POLS 3334
POLS 3344
POLS 3391/WOMS 3391
POLS 4444/ECON 4444 |