Political Science (PSCI) Courses
Political Parties in Canada
A seminar on political parties and party systems in Canadian federal politics, including an examination of patterns of historical development, party organization and finance, relationships with social movements, and the impact of Canadian federalism.
Legislatures and Representation in Canada
The role of Parliament and of the individual M.P. in terms of policy making, party discipline, and differing conceptions of representation.
Canadian Political Economy
A seminar on political economy as a traditional and contemporary approach to the study of Canadian politics and the Canadian state. Canada's economic development, social relations (including gender and race relations), and position in the international political economy is explored.
Executive Power in Canadian Politics
Consideration of prime ministers, premiers, cabinet ministers and senior public service leadership in Canadian politics and government.
Indigenous Politics of North America
Issues of governance regarding the original peoples of Canada, Mexico and the United States before and since the European invasion, including: movement for restoration of cultural, socio-economic, political, land and self-government rights.
Canadian Federalism
A study of the evolution and contemporary operation of the Canadian federal system, noting particularly the specific social, political, economic, and structural features which underlie its operational performance, its resilience in crisis, and its potential for adaptation.
Canada-EU Relations
Relations between Canada and Europe in the context of European integration, with attention to policy issues affecting the relationship and/or areas of common policy challenges.
Prerequisite(s): previous course in European integration or permission of the instructor.
The Politics of Post-Soviet Successor States
A seminar on selected problems of nation-building in Russia, Ukraine, and other Soviet successor states.
Globalization, Adjustment and Democracy in Africa
The nature of global pressures in Africa as states go through a "second wind" of political and economic change.
Post-Soviet States and Societies
The relationship between social forces and state structures at both the national and local levels in the USSR and the post-soviet states.
Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as EURR 4002, for which additional credit is precluded.
The European Union and its Eastern Neighbours
The EU's European Neighbourhood Policy and Eastern partnership policy, the Russia-EU “strategic partnership”. Policies and reactions of non-EU East European countries toward the EU. The interaction of Member state policies and EU policies. May include attention to historical legacies, cultural factors, public opinion, energy security.
Russian Domestic Politics
Examination of the evolution of Russian domestic politics and society since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Themes discussed include the transformation of Russia's political system, changes in the behavior of political elites, the evolution of Russia's social structure, and federal-regional relations.
Democracy in the European Union
Survey of empirical research and normative theorizing about democracy in the EU. Topics include: European Parliament and other channels for democratic input, patterns of citizen participation, impact of European integration on democracy in EU member states, Euroscepticism, theories of EU democracy.
The Politics of Israel/Palestine
The history and politics of Israel/Palestine. An examination of the interests and identities of Israelis and Palestinians, and the role of external actors and public opinion in shaping regional dynamics.
Nationalism
A seminar on the historical and comparative study of nationalism, with emphasis on its role in the promotion of political change.
Politics in Plural Societies
A seminar on politics in multicultural societies and multi-national states, including settler and post-colonial societies. Topics may include: conflict relating to race, religion, language, regionalism, intra-state nationalism, multicultural policies and theories of pluralism.
Development Theory and Issues
A seminar on historical and current debates in development theory, including the origins, nature, and critiques of development processes in the Global South.
Southern Africa After Apartheid
An exploration of the pathology of apartheid, the reasons for its end, and prospects for democratization and development in southern Africa in the era of globalization.
Elections
The conduct and meaning of elections in contemporary states. Attention to the connection of elections to concepts of representation, policy mandates, and political parties, and to electoral systems and referenda.
International Political Sociology
A seminar exploring classical and contemporary social and political thought in relation to international, transnational, and global practices and institutions. Topics may include borders, capitalism, citizenship, civil society, constitutionalization, empire, governance, power, public spheres, risk, security, sovereignty, and world society.
Global Social Policy
The seminar explores global initiatives in poverty reduction, inequality, development assistance and internationalization of the provision of social services. The seminar considers theoretical, institutional and policy implications of debates about global justice, policy transfer and global government of social policies.
Forced Migration and Global Politics
Critical examination of the relationship between different aspects of forced migration and debates within global politics. Topics may include borders, global governance, political agency, sovereignty, security, globalization, gender and public policy.
Politics and Popular Culture
A critical examination of the increasingly important intersections of politics and popular culture. Theoretical approaches such as structuralism, semiotics, political economy, feminism, and postmodernism explore such core themes as political power, dissent, globalization, (post)colonialism, gender, race, class, and sexuality in various media.
Migration, Globalization and Governance
Critical examination of the politics of mobility in a globalizing context. Seminar topics may include migration regimes, securitization of migration, temporary and permanent migration streams and patterns of inclusion and exclusion.
Advanced International Relations Theory
Close reading and analysis of theoretical research in the academic discipline of International Relations; may include analysis of methodology, normative and critical theory, and key theoretical concepts such as anarchy, sovereignty, power, inequality, coloniality, security, gender.
Democratic Theories
Analysis of various theories of democracy and community, from classical to modern.
Genealogies of Politics and Governance
Examination of Foucault’s genealogical method for doing critical studies of politics and governance. Topics may include governmentality, sovereignty, biopolitics, neoliberalism, citizenship, and colonialism.
Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as PSCI 4303, for which additional credit is precluded.
Political Thought in the Modern Muslim Middle East
Contemporary political thought in the Muslim Middle East. Secular and religious responses to the challenges of modernity. Readings may include writings of Arab, Turkish, and Iranian intellectuals.
Concepts of Political Community I
A critical survey of concepts of political community, including the common good, justice, citizenship, statesmanship, democracy, and legitimacy, from ancient, modern, and contemporary political theory.
Concepts of Political Community II
A continued critical survey of concepts of political community, including the common good, justice, citizenship, statesmanship, democracy, and legitimacy, from ancient, modern, and contemporary political theory.
Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as PSCI 4319, for which additional credit is precluded.
History of Political Thought
Western political thought from classical times to the nineteenth century: may include the study of Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx and other thinkers.
Reproductive Rights Policy in North America
The interaction between social movements, legislatures and courts in formulating reproductive rights policy in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.
Postcolonial Theories and Practices
This seminar familiarizes students with different approaches to postcolonial theory, discussing issues like the decolonization of knowledge and development and examining colonial practices of states and responses by indigenous movements.
Selected Issues in Political Economy I
A research seminar exploring a selected topic of current research having a political economy perspective, such as power and stratification; dynamics of state action; contrasting views on administration as an instrument of political economy; culture, ideology, and social relations; and the labour process.
Selected Issues in Political Economy II
A research seminar exploring a selected topic of current research having a political economy perspective, such as power and stratification; dynamics of state action; contrasting views on administration as an instrument of political economy; culture, ideology, and social relations; and the labour process.
Selected Topics in Work and Labour I
Topics and emphasis vary from term to term according to current policies and events influencing the distribution and benefits of work and labour including migration, technological and environmental change, privatization, austerity, and transnational legislation.
Selected Topics in Work and Labour II
Topics and emphasis vary from term to term according to current policies and events influencing the distribution and benefits of work and labour including migration, technological and environmental change, privatization, austerity, and transnational legislation.
Gender and Politics
Selected gender dimensions of politics in a comparative perspective. Topics may include: gendered nature of authority, gender regimes and state forms, feminist accounts of citizenship, representation, power and democracy, women's movements and anti-feminist movements, identity politics, gendered accounts of nationalism and multiculturalism.
Analysis of Canadian Foreign Policy
A research seminar on contemporary Canadian external policies, with emphasis on the analysis of cases and issues, and comparisons with other national actors.
Ethics in International Relations
Historical and contemporary approaches to normative theory and ethics in international relations, including Kantian, Hegelian, Marxist, postmodern and feminist ethics. Issues may include poverty and justice, human rights and humanitarian intervention.
Politics of North America
Continentalism in Canadian foreign policy during the twentieth century, charting regional, economic, political, and defence relations in North America.
European Integration and European Security
A seminar focusing on issues related to the formation of supra-national decision-making structures in Europe.
Also listed as EURR 4104/5104.
Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as PSCI 4608, for which additional credit is precluded.
Selected Topics in European Integration Studies
A seminar focusing on selected topics related to European integration in the post-World War II period.
Basic Research Methods
A course in applied research design and methodology, with emphasis on empirical research strategies that are amenable to quantification.
Intermediate Polimetrics for Micro Data
Intermediate research designs and statistical techniques primarily used in analyzing survey data. Selected topics may vary from year to year. Students intending to do research based on micro data are advised to take this course.
Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as PSCI 4701, for which additional credit is precluded.
Intermediate Research Methods for Applied Political Science
Applied methods for policy, politics and public affairs. Primarily quantitative but may have qualitative elements.
Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as PSCI 4702, for which additional credit is precluded.
Ethnographic Research Methods
Introduction to ethnographic and related qualitative research methods in political science. Ethnography is the study of culture and social organization primarily through participant observation, supplemented by interviewing, archival research, and collection of audiovisual materials.
Approaches to the Study of Political Theory
This course explores different methodological approaches to the study of texts in political theory. It examines the essential methodological considerations that are involved in designing and conducting a study in political theory.
Political Economy of Global Money and Finance
An exploration of the organization of the global monetary and financial system. Issues covered include the relationship between global finance and the state, the politics of world money, and the problems associated with regulating internationally-active financial institutions.
Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as PSCI 4805, for which additional credit is precluded.
Transatlantic Security Issues
NATO as a political and military alliance. NATO and 21st-century threats. Security roles for the European Union. Broader transatlantic security issues.
Foreign Policy Analysis
A research seminar dealing with selected problems in the study of foreign policy formulations and outcomes.
Strategic Thought and Issues in International Security
A research seminar on the evolution of classical and contemporary strategic thought, and on current issues in international security.
Analysis of International Organizations
A research seminar on process and change in contemporary forms of international organization.
International Political Economy
A seminar on current issues in IPE. Topics include theoretical issues in the disciplinary history of IPE and recent developments in the organization and operation of the global political economy in the fields of money, finance, production, work, trade, knowledge, geopolitical rivalry and empire.
Prerequisite(s): permission of the Department.
Approaches to Environmental Politics
Theoretical and methodological approaches to research in the field of environmental politics, including but not limited to public policy research. A variety of institutionalist, political economy, political ecology, and post-modern approaches will be examined.
Tutorial in a Selected Field
Tutorials or reading courses on selected topics may be arranged with the permission of the Department. Students cannot accumulate more than 1.0 credit in tutorials towards their degree requirements.
Tutorial in a Selected Field
Tutorials or reading courses on selected topics may be arranged with the permission of the Department. Students cannot accumulate more than 1.0 credit in tutorials towards their degree requirements.
Washington Center Internship
A one-term internship in the NAFTA Leaders Program of The Washington Center, offered in Washington D.C.
Prerequisite(s): permission of the Department.
Washington Center Seminar I
A seminar offered by The Washington Center.
Washington Center Seminar II
A seminar offered by The Washington Center.
M.A. Research Essay
Tutorial for students who write a research essay rather than a thesis.
M.A. Thesis
Co-operative Work Term
Students may register in the co-op option according to the guidelines listed under Co-op Option in the Calendar of Graduate Studies.
Prerequisite(s): permission of the Department.
Special Topics in Political Science
A seminar on a selected topic in political science, to be determined by faculty, research, and teaching interests.
The Political Process in Canada I
An analytical study of the democratic political process, with particular reference to political parties and elections, pressure groups, and political leadership in Canada.
The Political Process in Canada II
An analytical study of the democratic political process, with particular reference to political parties and elections, pressure groups, and political leadership in Canada.
Comparative Politics I
A research seminar dealing with theories, methods, and problems of comparison.
Comparative Politics II
A research seminar dealing with particular themes.
Theorizing Gender and Diversity
This course will provide students with the theoretical and methodological approaches necessary to study gender and diversity in the context of politics. The course will include feminist political theories, critical race theory, postcolonial theory, theories from sexuality studies and political economy.
Gender and Diversity: Comparative and International Politics
Topics may include: representation and electoral politics; reproductive rights; social policy and welfare regimes; governance, resistance and transition; citizenship and migration; health and environment; security and violence (including sexual violence), and analysis of reproductive, informal and formal labour.
Political Theory I
An intensive examination of the major questions in classical, medieval, modern, and contemporary political philosophy. This course is historically comprehensive in scope and thematically oriented in depth.
Political Theory II
An intensive examination of the major questions in classical, medieval, modern, and contemporary political philosophy. This course is historically comprehensive in scope and thematically oriented in depth.
Public Policy: Theory and Analysis
Introduction to major theoretical approaches in the study and analysis of public policy and to current topics and debates in the field.
Public Affairs Management and Analysis
A seminar on theories and practice in the management of public affairs, including the environment and administration of the public sector, public opinion, and public communications.
Theory and Research in International Politics I
An examination of the principal problems in contemporary international relations theory and research, emphasizing the state of the field and current directions in it.
Theory and Research in International Politics II
An examination of the principal problems in contemporary international relations theory and research, emphasizing the state of the field and current directions in it.
Ph.D. Field Examination I
Ph.D. preparation for the major field examination I. The grade to be awarded will be that obtained on the field examination.
Ph.D. Field Examination II
Ph.D. preparation for the major field examination II. The grade to be awarded will be that obtained on the field examination.
Thesis Proposal Workshop I
A survey of research methods and approaches to research design designed to assist in the preparation of thesis proposals. Coordinated by one instructor, but faculty from other fields will also participate. The grade for this course will be Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Thesis Proposal Workshop II
Student-led workshop focused on the preparation, presentation, and discussion of drafts of students' thesis proposals. The final assignment for the course will be the presentation of a full written draft of the thesis proposal. Graded Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisite(s): successful completion of comprehensive examinations or permission of the Department.
Ph.D. Thesis
Note: Not all courses listed are offered in a given year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings for the current session and to determine the term of offering, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca.
Summer session: some of the courses listed in this Calendar are offered during the summer. Hours and scheduling for summer session courses will differ significantly from those reported in the fall/winter Calendar. To determine the scheduling and hours for summer session classes, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca