2023-2024 Graduate Calendar

Political Science

 

Master of Arts in Political Science

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Field(s) of Specialization

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Public Policy

International Relations

Canadian Politics

Comparative Politics

Political Theory - Please note: the Political Theory specialization will not be offered in the 2023-24 academic year.

Dean

Ingrid Makus

Faculty of Social Sciences

Associate Dean

Dawn Zinga

Faculty of Social Sciences

Core Faculty

Professors

Charles Conteh, Hevina S. Dashwood, Tim Heinmiller, Pierre Lizée (

Associate Professors

Stefan Dolgert, Nicole Goodman, Blayne Haggart, Paul Hamilton, Matthew Hennigar, Pascal Lupien, Ingrid Makus, Livianna Tossutti

Assistant Professors

Joanne Heritz, Danielle McNabb, Liam Midzain-Gobin

Academic Advisor / Seminar Coordinator

Diane Leon

Graduate Program Director

Paul Hamilton

phamilton@brocku.ca

Administrative Assistant

Claire Gallop

 

Program Description

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However uncertain we are about the human good, it is clear, as Aristotle observed, that the pursuit of that good is the work of politics and the understanding of that good the aim of political science. Whether we regard politics as the pursuit of justice, the uses of power, or the securing of "peace, order, and good government," its study appeals to students interested in government, law, and international affairs, and to those who want to understand the shaping of our political world. At Brock, the MA program in political science usually entails specialization in one of five fields of study: Canadian politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory or philosophy, and public policy. Our faculty and our students are joined in the common endeavour to see how their diverse interests can contribute to the political understanding of ourselves and our world. This aim is at the heart of our curriculum: It is reflected in the program requirements and in the design of our Core Seminars. Graduates of the program have proceeded to successful careers in government, politics, and business; many have pursued further study to become scholars and teachers.

 

Admission Requirements

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Successful completion of an Honours Bachelor's degree, an equivalent degree, or a minor in Political Science with a minimum average in their Political Science courses of 78% and an overall average of not less than 75%, during the last two years of undergraduate study. Students with degrees in other disciplines will also be considered for entry, but may be asked to complete a minimum of five half-credit undergraduate courses (typically, one semester) in the discipline before applying to the program.

The Graduate Admissions Committee will review all applications and recommend admission for a limited number of candidates.

Part-time study is available.

 

Graduate Courses/Degree Requirements

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There are three types of courses in the Political Science MA program and all are one term in length. First, there are core courses, which are taught as seminars and are restricted to graduate students. These include POLI 5P80, POLI 5P81, POLI 5P82, POLI 5P83, POLI 5P84, POLI 5P85 and POLI 5P86. These core seminars provide an opportunity for critical examination of some of the most significant writings in the various subfields of the discipline and constitute a key component in the Brock MA program. POLI 5P80 and POLI 5P81 are required in all programs in conjunction with additional core courses, as specified below.

Second, there are specialized courses, most of which are taught in conjunction with 4(alpha)00 level honours courses. These are also seminar courses with small class sizes. Students in the graduate course have assignments and responsibilities different from those students in the 4(alpha)00 level honours course when the two meet as a combined class. Note: students may not hold credit for a course at the 5(alpha)00 level if they previously completed it as an undergraduate at the 4(alpha)00 level.

Third, there are tutorial courses. These are individualized reading courses approved for students who want to pursue a topic not covered in the graduate curriculum. The precise requirements and topics are a matter of agreement between instructor and student, subject to general departmental regulations.

A thesis or major research paper is also a part of all courses of study. In addition to the major research paper, students in the major research paper stream must complete six half credit courses including POLI 5P80, POLI 5P81, and three core seminars.

Acceptance into the thesis stream requires explicit departmental agreement that the candidate is prepared to pursue advanced scholarly research, and the preparation of an acceptable thesis proposal. In addition to the thesis, students in this stream must complete four half credit courses including POLI 5P80 and POLI 5P81 and at least one other core seminar.

Students are required to consult with the Graduate Program Director, who will assist students in choosing among the various program options.

For full-time students the program is normally a three term or one year program.

 

Field(s) of Specialization

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Students may opt for a general Political Science MA or for an MA with a designated specialization in one of the subfields of political science as listed below.

 

Canadian Politics

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Several areas of Canadian politics are of particular concern to Brock faculty, including advocacy groups and social movements, the constitution and judicial review, digital politics, elections and voting behaviour, Indigenous politics, municipal politics, and the politics of immigration and diversity. Canadian phenomena can also be studied within the field of public policy, and the two fields work closely together at Brock.

Thesis Stream: Four half-credit courses including POLI 5P80, POLI 5P81, POLI 5P82, one POLI half-credit course selected from the course offerings in Canadian politics and POLI 5F99 a thesis in Canadian politics.

Major Research Paper Stream: six half-credit courses including POLI 5P80, POLI 5P81, POLI 5P82, and two of POLI 5P83, POLI 5P84, 5P85 and 5P86, and one POLI half-credit course selected from the course offerings in Canadian politics (or Public Policy provided all Canadian politics options have been exhausted) and POLI 5F90 a major essay in Canadian politics.

 

Comparative Politics

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North America, South America, Europe, and sub-Saharan Africa are areas of focus for members of the department. Subjects of special interest are federalism, nationalism, the integration and disintegration of political communities, judiciaries and constitutional law, civil society and development, global Indigenous politics, and the impact of multilateral political and economic organizations on domestic political institutions.

Thesis Stream: Four half-credit courses including POLI 5P80, POLI 5P81, POLI 5P85, and one POLI half-credit course selected from the course offerings in comparative politics and POLI 5F99 a thesis in Comparative politics.

Major Research Paper Stream: six half-credit courses including POLI 5P80, POLI 5P81, POLI 5P85, two of POLI 5P82, POLI 5P83, POLI 5P84 or POLI 5P86, and one POLI half-credit selected from the course offerings in comparative politics (or international relations if all comparative politics options have been exhausted), and POLI 5F90 a major essay in comparative politics.

 

International Relations

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The specialization in international relations encompasses the diversity of conceptual insights and theoretical perspectives that reflect the complexity of global relations today. Subjects of special interest include traditional and new sources of threats to security, global political-economic relations, global digital economy, international theory, problems of global economic and political governance among multiple actors, international Indigenous relations, and issues pertaining to international ethics.

Thesis Stream: Four half-credit courses including POLI 5P80, POLI 5P81, POLI 5P86, one POLI half-credit selected from the course offerings in international relations and POLI 5F99 a thesis in international relations.

Major Research Paper Stream: six half-credit courses including POLI 5P80, POLI 5P81, POLI 5P86, and two of POLI 5P82, POLI 5P83, POLI 5P84 or POLI 5P85, and one POLI half-credit selected from the course offerings in international relations (or comparative politics if all international relations options have been exhausted), and POLI 5F90 a major essay in international relations.

 

Political Theory: Please note this specialization will not be offered in the 2023-24 academic year.

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Political theory addresses the perennial questions posed by conflicting accounts of how the political community should be organized and by the tension between the requirements of political life and the pursuit of truth. This concentration pays particular attention to the distinctive features of ancient and modern political theory, to such themes as justice, law and the theory of rights and to the close study of major political philosophers.

Thesis Stream: Four half-credit courses including POLI 5P80, POLI 5P81, POLI 5P83, with the remaining POLI course selected from the course offerings in political theory and POLI 5F99 a thesis in political theory.

Major Research Paper Stream: six half-credit courses including POLI 5P80, POLI 5P81, POLI 5P83, two POLI half-credits selected from POLI 5P82, 5P84, 5P85, and 5P86, and one POLI half-credit selected from the course offerings in political theory, and POLI 5F90 a major essay in political theory.

 

Public Policy

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This specialization provides a distinctive blend of the political, legal and administrative dimensions of public policy at the federal, provincial and local levels. Special areas of focus are business-government relations, public policy theory and policy making.

Thesis Stream: Four half-credit courses including POLI 5P80, POLI 5P81, and 5P84, with the remaining POLI credit selected from the course offerings in public policy and POLI 5F99 a thesis in public policy.

Major Research Paper Stream: six half-credit courses including POLI 5P80, POLI 5P81, POLI 5P84, two of POLI 5P82, POLI 5P83, 5P85 and 5P86, and one POLI half-credit selected from the course offerings in public policy (or Canadian politics provided all public policy options have been exhausted), and POLI 5F90 a major essay in public policy.

 

Course Descriptions

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Note that not all courses are offered in every session. Refer to the applicable timetable for details.

Students must ensure that prerequisites are met. Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met.

POLI 5F90

MA Major Research Paper

Major research paper written under guidance of a supervisor and approved by a supervisory committee of the supervisor and a second reader.

POLI 5F99

Thesis

Research project involving the preparation and defence of a thesis which shall demonstrate a capacity for independent work. The research shall be carried out under the supervision of a faculty member and shall be defended at an oral examination.

 

Political Theory: Please note this specialization will not be offered in the 2023-24 academic year.

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Students must ensure that prerequisites are met. Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met. Note: students may not hold credit for a course at the 5(alpha)00 level if they previously completed the course at the 4(alpha)00 level.

POLI 5P01

The Philosophy of Law

Traditional and contemporary accounts of law and their implications for issues of contemporary concern.

Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P01.

POLI 5P02

Ancient Political Theory

Political theory of the ancient world, spanning texts from the Near East, Greece, Rome, or China. Possible themes include democracy, justice, power, tragedy, gender, and ecology.

Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P02.

POLI 5P03

Modern Political Theory

Modern political theory examined in selected texts. May focus on a theme such as historicism, consent, progress, equality or on a selected author, such as Rousseau, Kant, Hegel.

Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P03.

POLI 5P04

Politics and Tyranny

Comparative accounts of ancient and modern tyranny are examined with a view to assessing whether political domination has varied significantly in the western tradition.

Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P04.

POLI 5P07

Postmodern Political Theory

Perspectives on the postmodern condition in the works of selected 20th century thinkers. Topics may include notions of the self, aesthetics and politics, reason and power, the construction of meaning.

Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P07.

 

Canadian Politics

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Students must ensure that prerequisites are met. Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met. Note: students may not hold credit for a course at the 5(alpha)00 level if they previously completed the course at the 4(alpha)00 level.

POLI 5P10

Issues in Local Government

Policy making and service delivery in local government in such areas as economic development, fire, parks, policing, public health, recreation, and social services.

Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P10.

POLI 5P12

Citizen Politics

Citizen engagement in Canadian political parties, social movements, advocacy groups and voluntary organizations, and the impact of civic activism on public discourse, policies and laws.

Note: Combines seminars with a mandatory service learning component. Taught in conjunction with POLI 4P12.

POLI 5P14

Federalism in Canada

Canadian concepts of federalism, judicial interpretation of the constitutional distribution of powers, the social, economic and cultural factors that influence federal-provincial relations, issues in federal-provincial relations, the impact of federalism on public policy, and the politics of constitutional change.

Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P14.

POLI 5P16

Global Migration: Canada in a Comparative Context

Global migration patterns, immigrant and refugee admission and integration policies, the trafficking of persons and smuggling, and the relationship between migration and development.

Note: Combines seminars with a mandatory experiential learning component. Taught in conjunction with POLI 4P16. May be offered online.

POLI 5P17

Canadian Politics in the Digital Age

Impact of digital technology and innovation on political institutions in Canada and the opportunities and challenges it is creating for actors and groups. Critically assesses the implications of these changes for democracy in Canada.

Note: Combines seminars with a mandatory experiential learning component. Taught in conjunction with POLI 4P17.

POLI 5P19

The Canadian Judicial Process

Structure, functions, and political dimensions of the judiciary in Canada. Topics may include judicial decision-making, appointment and independence; the policy impact of judicial rulings; the criminal process; the influence of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms on the judicial system; and the players in the judicial process, including judges, interest groups and governments.

Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P19.

 

International Relations

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Students must ensure that prerequisites are met. Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met. Note: students may not hold credit for a course at the 5(alpha)00 level if they previously completed the course at the 4(alpha)00 level.

POLI 5P20

Globalization and Global Governance

Factors explaining the globalization of national politics and the reconstruction of politics at a global level. Topics may include policy problems linked to the effectiveness of international and national institutions; theoretical considerations on new concepts of politics and democracy in the globalized world.

Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P20.

POLI 5P21

The Global Digital Political Economy

Intersection between economics and politics with an emphasis on understanding how issues such as data governance, intellectual property and internet governance are shaping global economic governance, trade, and development.

Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P21.

POLI 5P22

Canada and International Development

Canada's policies and practices in addressing global inequalities in wealth and power. Topics may include Canada's international assistance policies directed to lower and middle-income countries, ethical considerations, and international cooperation to address the differential impacts of global developments.

Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P22.

POLI 5P24

Private Global Governance

Interactions between global corporations, voluntary standards associations, non-governmental organizations, states and industry associations and the influences that drive global private governance arrangements and global standard setting.

Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P24.

POLI 5P26

International Politics and National Security

Conditions affecting the use of force in the post-Cold War international system, with emphasis on the basis of state security and the effects of the security dilemma.

Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P26.

POLI 5P27

Theories of International Relations

International relations theory emphasizing the nature of the international system and its relationship to the choices and actions of individual states.

Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P27.

 

Comparative Politics

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Students must ensure that prerequisites are met. Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met. Note: students may not hold credit for a course at the 5(alpha)00 level if they previously completed the course at the 4(alpha)00 level.

POLI 5P34

Comparative Judicial Systems

Global expansion of judicial power and the role of courts in democratization, rights protection, political centralization, and resolving societal conflict. Domestic as well as supranational courts from around the world are considered, representing both common law and civil law systems. Topics include the success and failure of the "rights revolutions," the judicialization of politics, court reform, and justifications for judicial review.

Note: Taught in conjunction with POLI 4P34.

POLI 5P36

Comparative Democratization in a Global Age: Reform, Revolution and Reversal

Analysis of the origins, processes, and outcomes of democratization and de-democratization in countries around the world.

Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P36.

Students completing this course will forfeit credit in POLI 5V36.

POLI 5P37

Indigenous-Settler Relations in Canada and Beyond

Indigenous-settler relations and reconciliation in Canada and other Anglo settler states, including Australia and New Zealand. Topics and themes include historic and contemporary forms of settler colonialism, the Indigenous-settler relationship on both collective and individual levels, the politics of recognition, constitutional rights, truth commissions, and Indigenous articulations of a shared future.

Note: This course can also be counted toward a sub-field specialization in Canadian Politics. Taught in conjunction with POLI/CANA 4P37.

POLI 5P38

Nationalism and Ethnic Politics

Theories of nationalism, ethnic conflict and secession. Case studies analyze civil war, genocide and the political mobilization of ethno-national groups.

Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P38.

 

Public Policy

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Students must ensure that prerequisites are met. Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met. Note: students may not hold credit for a course at the 5(alpha)00 level if they previously completed the course at the 4(alpha)00 level.

POLI 5P50

Machinery of Government

Structures and processes of federal and provincial government in Canada. Emphasis on the operation of government departments, central agencies, regulatory agencies and crown corporations.

Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P50.

POLI 5P54

Business-Government Relations

Politics and management of relations between business organizations and governments in Canada, with particular emphasis on current research and issues. Topics include theories of business-government relations, the legislative and regulatory environment of business, public enterprise and privatization, lobbying and interaction among government, business, the media and labour.

Note: taught in conjunction with POLI 4P54.

POLI 5P67

Comparative Public Policy

Major concepts, theoretical approaches and issues in Comparative Public Policy, assessing the various frameworks used for understanding and addressing public policy issues in different countries and regions. Cases will be drawn from Canada, the United States, Europe, and the developing world.

Note: This course can also be counted toward a sub-field specialization in Comparative Politics. Taught in conjunction with POLI 4P67.

POLI 5P68

Social Movements and Globalization

Restructuring of social movements from around the world in new alliances for global justice. Topics may include: relationship between local and global scales; cross-cultural collaboration; tensions between unity and diversity; conflicts and unequal power relations in networks; North-South inequalities. Movements may include: indigenous movements; transnational feminism; the anti-corporate globalization movement; environmentalism.

Note: taught in conjunction with POLI/SOCI 4P68.

 

Core Seminar Courses

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Students must ensure that prerequisites are met. Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met.

POLI 5P80

Great Works in Politics

Critical examination of some of the most significant writings in political science. Core seminar.

POLI 5P81

Research and Research Methods

Exploration of theories and approaches to research in Political Science. Issues and problems in research design will be assessed with a view to helping students develop the research skills and acquire the tools necessary for the successful completion of a thesis or major paper. Core seminar.

POLI 5P82

Graduate Seminar in Canadian Politics

Examination of major aspects of Canadian government and politics and of different approaches to the study of Canadian politics through the discussion and analysis of significant books in the field. Core seminar.

POLI 5P83

Graduate Seminar in Political Theory

Ethical, ontological, aesthetic and literary interpretations of major texts or issues in political theory

POLI 5P84

Graduate Seminar in Public Policy

Examination of significant writings and issues in public policy and policy development. Core seminar.

POLI 5P85

Graduate Seminar in Comparative Politics

Critical examination of significant writings and issues in comparative politics. Core seminar.

POLI 5P86

Graduate Seminar in International Relations

Critical examination of significant writings and issues in international relations and foreign policy. Core seminar.

 

Variable Topics Courses

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Students must ensure that prerequisites are met. Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met.

POLI 5V00-5V09

Selected Topics in Political Theory

Particular writer, work or theoretical problem in political theory is examined.

POLI 5V10-5V19

Selected Topics in Canadian Politics

Selected aspect of Canadian government and politics or an issue of contemporary concern.

POLI 5V20-5V29

Selected Topics in International Relations

Selected problems and issues drawn from both the system and nation-state levels of international politics.

POLI 5V30-5V39

Selected Topics in Comparative Politics

Comparative study of selected political institutions, processes or policies in various states.

POLI 5V50-5V59

Selected Topics in Public Administration

Selected problems and issues in public administration drawn from the federal, provincial and/or municipal levels.

POLI 5V60-5V69

Selected Topics in Canadian Public Policy

Field or topic in Canadian public policy, including the analysis of policy making and policy outcomes.

POLI 5V70-5V79

Political Science Tutorial

Guided readings on a particular topic which is not covered in the department's regular course offerings. Topics must be chosen in consultation with a faculty member willing to supervise the tutorial.

Prerequisite(s): permission of the Graduate Program Director and faculty supervisor.

 
Last updated: July 4, 2023 @ 02:25PM