Course List

An introduction to the main problems, concepts and ideologies at play in political life and an analysis of the processes and institutions by which these are realized in the Canadian political system.

Examines major developments in the history of Western political thought from the ancient Greeks and Romans through the Christian period up to the Renaissance, with particular attention given to key writings by Plato, Aristotle, Augustine and Aquinas. Examines themes such as the justice, the state, politics, plurality, constitutionalism, power, war and the individual.

Examines the major social and political ideas developed in the modern era, focusing on select writings of major political philosophers such as Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx and Nietzsche.

This course examines the rise of Christian social and political movements within Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions since the French Revolution (1789). It explores the context in which these movements arose, their distinctive ideas and strategies, as well as the practical changes to the establishment they advocated. Attention will be given to movements such as the British anti-slavery movement, faith-based schools, Christian democracy, American civil rights movement, liberation theology, Bonhoeffer & the Confessing Church, and creation care.

This course considers the idea and ideal of democracy through a consideration of its history, theoretical justifications, and concrete practices in contemporary politics and society. Since democracy concerns authority and decision making, the course also considers the applicability of the ideal of democracy to other societal structures, such as, the family, the classroom, the business enterprise, labour unions, the economy, and the church.

This course seeks to explore the origins, nature and limitations of the human rights paradigm in politics and law. We will consider the historical development of the human rights paradigm, philosophical (and theological) discussions about its meaning and validity, and engage in concrete examination of the ways in which it shapes legal and political practice particularly in Canada and internationally.

This course examines the relationship between Canada's federal and provincial governments, and the place of French Canada, regionalism, multiculturalism, Canadian nationalism, and aboriginal nations within the Canadian state. It examines the history of Canada's constitutional evolution, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

This course is an introduction to themes and methods in policy studies. The course examines the practical and normative problems facing Canadian governments in initiating, formulating, enacting, and implementing public policies. Special attention will be given to several contemporary policy issues.

This course in American government examines the history of political institutions in the United States from Independence in 1776 to the present day. This course explores the origins of the Constitution, the functions and historical evolution of the three branches of the federal government (executive, legislative, judiciary) as well as the roles of political parties, interest groups, public opinion, and the media. It also studies important historical case studies (over issues such as race, slavery and civil rights; civil and religious liberties; family and privacy law; and economic and environmental policy) that demonstrate how American political culture has changed over time. This course is decidedly interdisciplinary in approaching the subject using the methodologies of history and political science.

Blessed are the peacemakers, said Jesus, and this course offers an interdisciplinary inquiry into the issues of war and peace in the Western tradition. The course will mix philosophical and theological approaches (just war theory, humanitarian intervention, and Christian non-violence, for example) with historical case studies (especially the Crusades and the Second World War but also reaching to contemporary conflicts such as the "War on Terror"). This will be a seminar-style course based on weekly discussion of a common set of readings. The goal is to provide students with a heightened awareness of the range of perspectives on war and peace both in the past and in our world today.

This course is an introduction to international politics, law and organizations and focuses on major international issues of conflict and cooperation related to war, economics, poverty, and the environment.

A course on a topic or figure of special interest to a member of the political science faculty and offered on a non-recurring basis.

An opportunity to do intensive study of a special topic of particular interest to the student. Students work closely with a faculty member in tutorial meetings. Students must apply in advance for special studies to a political science faculty member.