Bachelor of Arts - Major in Political Science

General Information

  • See Bachelor of Arts (BA) for additional regulations and requirements.
  • Students in this major may also be interested in the Certificate in Globalization and Governance, the Certificate in Peace and Post-Conflict Studies, and the Certificate in European Studies

Requirements

  • Minimum of 30 and a maximum of 48 in Political Science at the senior level, including:

A minimum of ★18 in 200-level POL S, of which ★15 must be from

  • POL S 201 - Introduction to Indigenous Politics 
  • POL S 211 - Introduction to History of Political Theory 
  • POL S 212 - Introduction to Contemporary Political Theory 
  • POL S 224 - Canadian Government 
  • POL S 225 - Canadian Politics 
  • POL S 235 - Introduction to Comparative Politics 
  • POL S 250 - The Politics of Gender 
  • POL S 261 - International Relations

And 12 at

  • The 300-level and 400-level (of which ★6 must be at the 400-level)

Note:

  • These requirements may be varied only in special circumstances and only with departmental approval.

Recommended Courses

  • POL S 101 is the prerequisite for most 200-level POL S courses, and 300- and 400-level courses presuppose specific 200-level prerequisites. 
  • The following 200-level POL S courses do not have a prerequisite and, if offered, may be taken at the same time as POL S 101:
    • POL S 237 - Introduction to Chinese Politics
    • POL S 298 - Topics in Political Science
    • POL S 299 - Citizenship for Democracy
  • Students proposing to concentrate in Political Science should take:

Year 1

  • POL S 101 - Introduction to Politics

Years 1-2 (12 from the following)

  • POL S 201 - Introduction to Indigenous Politics 
  • POL S 211 - Introduction to History of Political Theory 
  • POL S 212 - Introduction to Contemporary Political Theory 
  • POL S 224 - Canadian Government 
  • POL S 225 - Canadian Politics 
  • POL S 235 - Introduction to Comparative Politics 
  • POL S 250 - The Politics of Gender 
  • POL S 261 - International Relations 
  • formerly POL S 210, POL S 220, POL S 230, POL S 240, POL S 350, and POL S 260

To change your Major or Minor or declare a Certificate, use the relevant form in the Faculty of Arts Forms Cabinet. The FAQs page has lots of answers, too.

Apply Now

 

For assistance contact:

Nancy Thompson
Undergraduate Advisor
pscundgr@ualberta.ca