Last updated: February 23, 2024 @ 02:42PM

Political Science

Master of Arts in Political Science

Field(s) of Specialization
Public Policy
International Relations
Canadian Politics
Comparative Politics
Political Theory - Please note: the Political Theory specialization will not be offered in the 2024-25 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 Lizee

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
dleon@brocku.ca

Graduate Program Director

Paul Hamilton
phamilton@brocku.ca

Administrative Assistant
Claire Gallop
politicalscience@brocku.ca

Program Description
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
·   Successful completion of an Honours Bachelor's degree, an equivalent degree, or a minor in Political Science
·   Minimum average in 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.
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.


Graduate Courses/Degree Requirements
A thesis or major research paper is required. Students interested in the thesis stream must obtain approval from the Graduate Program Director and must complete an acceptable thesis proposal in order to proceed.

Major research paper stream: POLI 5P80, POLI 5P81, 1.5 POLI credits numbered 5P82-5P86, 0.5 POLI credit numbered 5P01-5P86, POLI 5F90

Thesis stream: POLI 5P80, POLI 5P81, 0.5 POLI credit numbered 5P82-5P86, 0.5 POLI credit numbered 5P01-5P86, POLI 5F99

For full-time students the program is normally three successive terms or one year program.

Field(s) of Specialization
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
Thesis Stream:
POLI 5P80
POLI 5P81
POLI 5P82
0.5 credit from POLI 5P12, 5P14, 5P16, 5P17, 5P19, 5P37
POLI 5F99 Thesis, in Canadian politics

Major Research Paper Stream:
POLI 5P80
POLI 5P81
POLI 5P82
two of POLI 5P83, 5P84, 5P85, 5P86
0.5 credit from POLI 5P12, 5P14, 5P16, 5P17, 5P19, 5P37 (or Public Policy provided all Canadian politics options have been exhausted)
POLI 5F90 MA Major Research Paper, in Canadian politics

Comparative Politics
Thesis Stream:
POLI 5P80
POLI 5P81
POLI 5P85
0.5 credit from POLI 5P34, 5P36, 5P38, 5P68
POLI 5F99 Thesis, in Comparative politics

Major Research Paper Stream:
POLI 5P80
POLI 5P81
POLI 5P85
two of POLI 5P82, 5P83, 5P84, 5P86
0.5 credit from POLI 5P34, 5P36, 5P38, 5P68(or international relations if all comparative politics options have been exhausted)
POLI 5F90 MA Major Research Paper, in Comparative politics

International Relations
Thesis Stream:
POLI 5P80
POLI 5P81
POLI 5P86
0.5 credit from POLI 5P20, 5P21, 5P22, 5P24, 5P26, 5P27
POLI 5F99 Thesis, in international relations

Major Research Paper Stream:
POLI 5P80
POLI 5P81
POLI 5P86
two of POLI 5P82, 5P83, 5P84, 5P85
0.5 credit from POLI 5P20, 5P21, 5P22, 5P24, 5P26, 5P27(or comparative politics if all international relations options have been exhausted)
POLI 5F90 MA Major Research Paper, in international relations

Political Theory: Please note this specialization will not be offered in the 2024-25 academic year.
Thesis Stream:
POLI 5P80
POLI 5P81
POLI 5P83
0.5 credit from POLI 5P01, 5P02, 5P03, 5P04, 5P07, 5P37
POLI 5F99 Thesis, in political theory

Major Research Paper Stream:
POLI 5P80
POLI 5P81
POLI 5P83
two of POLI 5P82, 5P84, 5P85, 5P86
0.5 credit from POLI 5P01, 5P02, 5P03, 5P04, 5P07, 5P37
POLI 5F90 MA Major Research Paper, in political theory

Public Policy
Thesis Stream:
POLI 5P80
POLI 5P81
POLI 5P84
0.5 credit from POLI 5P10, 5P12, 5P50, 5P54, 5P67
POLI 5F99 Thesis, in public policy

Major Research Paper Stream:
POLI 5P80
POLI 5P81
POLI 5P84
two of POLI 5P82, 5P83, 5P85, 5P86
0.5 credit from POLI 5P10, 5P12, 5P50, 5P54, 5P67 (or Canadian politics provided all public policy options have been exhausted)
POLI 5F90 MA Major Paper, in public policy
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.


Course Descriptions

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 2024-25 academic year.

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

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: May combine seminars with a 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.

POLI 5P37
Indigenous-Settler Relations in Canada and Beyond
Indigenous-settler relations and reconciliation in Canada and other Anglo settler states through selected texts. Theories of settler colonialism, Indigenous-settler relationships on both collective and individual levels, the politics of recognition, constitutional rights, truth commissions, and Indigenous theories of decolonization.
Note: This course can be counted toward a sub-field specialization in Canadian Politics or Political Theory. Taught in conjunction with POLI/CANA 4P37.


International Relations

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

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 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.

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.


Public Policy

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.


Core Seminar Courses

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

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.