Political Science (POLI)
This is a list of the Political Science (POLI) courses available at KPU.
For information about transfer of credit amongst institutions in B.C. and to see how individual courses transfer, go to the BC Transfer Guide bctransferguide.ca
POLI 11103 Credits
(Formerly
POLI 2110)
Ideology and Politics
Students will examine the political ideologies that have played an important role in shaping the modern political landscape, influencing the political attitudes and actions of individuals, groups and societies. Students will also explore the historical context within which ideologies developed and engage the ideas of key thinkers in each ideological tradition.
POLI 11203 Credits
Canadian Government and Politics
Students will survey Canadian politics and government. They will explore Canada's political culture, its constitution, federalism, and relations with indigenous peoples, as well as its institutions of government, including parliament, crown, prime minister and cabinet, bureaucracy, and the courts. Students will also investigate the mechanisms that help to mobilize citizens and link them to government, such as political parties, elections, interest groups and social movements. Students will thus acquire an enhanced command of their political environment and an enriched understanding of dilemmas facing Canada as a diverse liberal-democratic community.
POLI 11233 Credits
Politics in the City
Students will study the evolution of politics at the municipal level in Canada, including political parties and civic movements, the local management of services, labour relations, lobby groups, budgeting, and policy making. They will examine the relationships between municipal governments and the provincial and federal governments, and explore other topics of current interest relating to city politics in Canada.
POLI 11253 Credits
Introduction to Political Science
Students will examine the fundamental concepts and phenomena of political life. They will: explore such core concepts as power, authority, legitimacy, states, ideology, and political culture; analyze different approaches to organizing political systems (e.g., authoritarian and democratic); and investigate various institutions of government, such as constitutions, legislatures, executives, and judiciaries. Students will examine mechanisms for mobilizing civic participation, including political parties, elections, interest groups, and social movements, and survey the international context within which states operate.
POLI 11453 Credits
(Formerly
POLI 2145)
Comparing Countries: Introduction to Comparative Politics
Students will study key topics in the field of comparative politics, focusing on the institutional, political-cultural, and economic dynamics that shape contemporary political life in different countries.
POLI 11503 Credits
(Formerly
POLI 2147)
Introduction to International Relations
Students will develop the analytical skills with which to explain or understand world politics. They will be introduced to the intellectual tools such as core concepts and schools of thought, in order to make sense of the complex world of international politics. Students will explore a broad range of contemporary topics, including the role and importance of various state and non-state actors, the promotion of international order, and salient features of the international political economy, including the disparities between the countries of the North and South.
POLI 21003 Credits
Sustainability and Government
Students will explore environmental sustainability as an issue in Canadian politics. They will examine the evolution of the environmental movement in Canada, and study the linkages between environmental concerns and Canadian political culture, parties, advocacy organizations, federal-provincial relations, domestic and foreign policy, and other areas of interest.
Note: Students may earn credits for only one of POST 2100 or POLI 2100 as they are cross-listed courses.
Prerequisites: Any 6 credits at 1100-level or higher
POLI 21203 Credits
Government & Politics of the Prairie Provinces
Students will study the structures and processes of government in the Canadian Prairie Provinces. Students will study the role of the national government in shaping the Prairies and will analyze the theoretical approaches to federalism and regionalism. Comparisons with other Canadian provinces will enhance student awareness of different political traditions and allow them to develop reasoned judgments about politics and government in their home province as well as the country as a whole.
Prerequisites: POLI 1125 or 1120
POLI 21213 Credits
Law and Politics: The Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Students will study the concepts of rights and freedoms as they have been treated historically in Canada, and will analyze the place of rights in Canadian law prior to the entrenchment of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. They will examine the Charter and the role of the courts with emphasis on the Supreme Court, and will discuss the place of rights and courts in a democratic society. Students will study the legalization of politics and politicization of the judiciary to better understand recent developments in Canadian law and politics regarding rights
Prerequisites: 3 credits of 1100 level POLI courses
POLI 21303 Credits
International Relations Theory
Students will learn the theories of International Relations, from realism and liberalism to "radical" challengers such as Marxism, dependency theory, critical theory, postmodernism, and feminism. Students will explore, debate, and compare theories to develop a solid grasp of the different perspectives and to establish their own theoretical preferences.
Prerequisites: 3 credits of 1100 level POLI courses
POLI 21313 Credits
European Integration
Students will acquire a detailed factual and conceptual framework for the analysis of the process of European integration. They will study the historical origins of the European Union (EU), the institutions (structure and process) and the challenges of integration in the 21st century. Students will focus on the political, social, and economic impacts on the member states, the tension between nation-state and confederation, supra-national citizenship, democracy and regional integration, and the role and status of the EU in world affairs.
Prerequisites: 3 credits of 1100-level POLI courses
POLI 21403 Credits
Comparative Politics of Asia
Students will be introduced to the government and politics of key Asian states. They will learn about the dynamics that shape the character and quality of contemporary Asian political systems, the underlying assumption being that "they who know only one country, know no country well." Students will enhance their understanding of political transformation in a comparative context will be enhanced by the study of different Asian countries.
Prerequisites: 3 credits of 1100-level POLI courses
POLI 21503 Credits
States, Markets, Globalization: International Political Economy
Students will acquire a detailed conceptual framework for the analysis of the international political economy. They will study the dynamic interaction among states, societies, firms, and markets, at the international level. Students will focus on major "IPE" perspectives and theories, and learn to apply these to issue areas including monetary and financial relations, international trade, foreign investment, foreign debt, and development finance.
Prerequisites: 3 credits of 1100-level POLI courses
POLI 21553 Credits
War, Crime, and Violence: Contemporary Political Conflict
Students will study the sources and nature of major contemporary international and national conflicts, such as disputes between the great powers, rich nations and poor nations, between Third World countries and within states. Students will focus on the phenomena of war, violence, and crime.
Prerequisites: 3 credit of 1100-level POLI courses, or HIST 2335
POLI 22003 Credits
Classic Thinkers: History of Political Thought
Students will survey the development of political theory in the western tradition, ranging from the thought of Plato and other ancient thinkers to the works of modern liberal-democratic thinkers such as Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, Mill, Nietzsche, and others. They will acquire a foundation in the great debates of western political life.
Prerequisites: 3 credits of 1100-level POLI or PHIL or HIST courses, or by permission of the instructor
POLI 22353 Credits
British Columbia Government and Politics
Students will examine British Columbia's political culture and various elements affecting it, such as immigration, native land claims, primary and secondary resource industries, federal-provincial relations, interest group behaviour, union activity, environmental issues, political parties, and government policy-making.
Prerequisites: 3 credits of 1100-level POLI courses
POLI 31003 Credits
American Government and Politics
Students will examine the institutions and processes associated with the federal government of the United States. They will study the executive, legislative and judicial branches, as well as the party system, the electoral system and election finance. Students will analyze the policy making process in America employing both foreign and domestic examples to highlight the important roles played by pressure groups, corporations and the media.
Prerequisites: Any 18 credits of 1100-level or higher, including any 3 POLI credits (POLI 1110 or 1125 or 1145 recommended)
POLI 31223 Credits
Introduction to Canadian Foreign Policy
Students will examine the history and current state of the foreign and defence policies of Canada. They will also study the following specific areas: domestic and foreign influences on policy, governmental structures affecting policy, the interplay of trade, defence and diplomatic decision-making. Students will appraise recent policy initiatives with a view to developing an understanding of Canada's place in the global community.
Prerequisites: Any 18 credits of 1100-level or higher, including any 3 POLI credits (POLI 1110 or 1120 recommended)
POLI 31253 Credits
Visions of Nationhood: Canada, Quebec, and First Nations
Students will examine diverse visions of nationhood in Canadian political discourse. They will probe competing conceptions of Canada, and explore the challenges to these conceptions posed by Quebec and indigenous nationhoods, as well as the intersections between multicultural pluralism and nationality in Canada.
Prerequisites: 18 credits from courses at the 1100-level or higher, including 3 credits from POLI
POLI 31313 Credits
The Politics of Continental Integration
Students will examine the phenomenon of continental integration, paying particular attention to North America as a contested site of integration. Students will investigate the existing status of North American integration and analyze debates around the merits and demerits of deepening it, using the European Union as a key point of comparison. They will probe the challenges of treaty-making, legal compliance and enforcement, and dispute resolution in continental contexts. Students will also analyze the affinities and tensions between regional, continental, and global forms of integration, and assess the implications of North American integration.
Prerequisites: Any 18 credits of 1100-level or higher, including any 3 POLI credits
POLI 31463 Credits
Government and Politics of India
Students will examine the sources and nature of conflict, power and political change in India, developing a critical understanding of the forces – historical, cultural, institutional and economic – that shape contemporary Indian political life. They will analyze themes of development and modernization as they apply to India and the wider South Asian region, critically analyze the advantages and disadvantages of democracy in a developing society, and examine challenges facing India in the twenty-first century.
Prerequisites: Any 18 credits of 1100-level or higher, including any 3 POLI credits
POLI 31473 Credits
Foreign Policies of the Major Powers
Students will acquire a factual and conceptual comparative framework of foreign policy as practiced by major powers. They will analyze the types of powers, various foreign policies, styles of foreign policy, constellation of the major powers and the target audience of the major powers. Students will review some case studies on the challenges arising to, and by, the major powers. They will explore, debate, and compare theories to develop a solid grasp of the different theoretical perspectives of the foreign policies of major powers, and will establish their own theoretical preferences.
Prerequisites: Any 18 credits of 1100-level or higher, including 3 credits of POLI 1125 or 1145 or 1150 (POLI 2130 recommended)
POLI 31503 Credits
American Foreign Policy
Students will examine the historical patterns of, and contemporary issues in, U.S. foreign policy. They will discuss the challenges faced by the U.S., its increasing reliance on unilateralism, and the response of other great powers to the U.S. in the Cold War and post-Cold War era. Students will also examine the sources of American foreign policy and will explore the linkages among political institutions, the policy formulation process, and policy outcomes.
Prerequisites: Any 18 credits of 1100-level or higher, including 3 credits of POLI 1125 or 1145 or 1150 (POLI 2130 recommended)
POLI 31603 Credits
International Organization
Students will acquire a basic knowledge of the nature, activities, and problems of international organizations in political, economic, and social issue-areas. They will analyze the historical evolution, structural mechanisms, and governance styles of these organizations in addressing various global problems. Students will critically examine the most prominent theoretical and conceptual approaches to the analysis of international organizations, with particular emphasis on the notions of multilateralism and global governance.
Prerequisites: 18 credits of 1100-level or higher, including 3 credits of POLI 1125 or POLI 1145 or POLI 1150 or POST 2100
POLI 31703 Credits
International Peacekeeping
Students will examine the multiple dimensions of peacekeeping operations in the world. They will explore the origin and growth of peacekeeping operations undertaken by international organizations, particularly the UN and the regional organizations, and the debate about the philosophy and strategy of peacekeeping operations. Students will analyze case studies, assess the strengths and weaknesses of overall peacekeeping operations, and evaluate the lessons to be learned from the past
Prerequisites: Any 18 credits of 1100-level or higher, including 3 credits of POLI 1125 or 1145 or 1150
POLI 31903 Credits
Selected Topics in Canadian Politics
Students will engage in an intensive study of an important selected issue, or related set of issues, in Canadian politics, as chosen by the instructor. Students will conduct readings, research, and class discussion at an advanced undergraduate level and be expected to demonstrate an effective mastery of the topic in question.
NOTE: Students may take this course multiple times for further credit on different topics.
Prerequisites: 18 credits of 1100-level or higher, including any 3 POLI credits
POLI 31993 Credits
Selected Topics in International Politics
Students will engage in an intensive study of an important selected issue, or related set of issues, in international politics, as chosen by the instructor. Students will conduct readings, research, and class discussion at an advanced undergraduate level and be expected to demonstrate an effective mastery of the topic in question.
NOTE: Students may take this course multiple times for further credit on different topics.
Prerequisites: 18 credits of 1100-level or higher, including any 3 POLI credits
POLI 32403 Credits
(Formerly
POLI 1240)
Chinese Government and Politics
Students will learn the characteristics of the Chinese civilization, the reform and revolution in the pre-Communist era, the Communist road to power, the development of Chinese politics from 1949 to the present, and China's international relations.
Prerequisites: POLI 1125 (POLI 2145 strongly recommended)
POLI 35003 Credits
Public Debates in Politics
Students will explore the theory and practice of political debate, examining fundamental principles of rhetoric and public communication, and examples of famous historical debates, before conducting their own formal debates around important political issues. Students will, under the supervision of the instructor, identify the issues to be debated, conduct rigorous scholarly research on their chosen topic, develop debating strategies, and moderate and conduct their own debates.
Prerequisites: 18 credits of 1100-level or higher, including any 3 POLI credits.
POLI 41103 Credits
Applied Policy Seminar II
Students will study applications of policy, with a focus on sustainability, under the guidance of a practitioner. They will examine complex real-life situations and case studies, such as impacts of policy decisions on climate change mitigation, energy efficiency, subsidized housing, green space conservation, and others. They will study how concepts of ethics, governance, and economics, as well as the psychology of public behaviour, are integrated into policy decision-making for sustainability. They will work in groups on a specific project, liaise with community stakeholders, and make recommendations for action in a formal presentation to stakeholders.
Note: Students may earn credit for only one of POLI 4110 or POST 4110 as they are identical courses.
Prerequisites: POST 3110, or (18 POLI credits at the 1100-level or higher including POLI 2100) and SOCI 2260
POLI 41253 Credits
The Politics of Multiculturalism in Canada
Students will critically explore the political issues raised by Canada's experience with cultural and religious diversity, informed by theoretical approaches to the wider themes of culture and religion in politics. They will examine the evolution of Canada's policy of official multiculturalism and the broader meanings attached to the term 'multiculturalism,' considering, in the process, liberal, nationalist, and radical critiques of multiculturalism in theory and practice. Students will also critically engage theoretical issues around the relationship between religious and cultural pluralism, and debates over the role of religion in the public life of a pluralistic society such as Canada.
NOTE: This is a seminar course.
Prerequisites: 45 credits at 1100-level or higher, including 3 POLI credits (POLI 1120 recommended)
POLI 41453 Credits
Cross-Border Politics
Students will analyze cross-border regions in international politics, exploring cross-border dynamics in the Americas, including the Pacific Northwest (Cascadia), as well as in Western and Eastern Europe, the MIddle East, Africa, and Asia. They will address the challenges of multi-level governance in the 21st century in the context of case studies of peaceful cross-border regions. Students will analyze the political, social, economic and environmental impacts of cross-border integration; the tension between nation-state, inter-governmentalism and supra-nationalism; identity, citizenship and democracy in cross-border regions; and the status of cross-border regions in domestic and world affairs. Note: This is a seminar course.
Prerequisites: 45 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher, including 3 credits from POLI.
POLI 42103 Credits
Democracy: Classic and Contemporary Debates
Students will critically examine democratic thought. They will explore such questions as the nature and foundation of democratic beliefs, critiques of democracy both ancient and modern, affinities and tensions between liberal and democratic ideals, and contemporary visions of democracy and their critics.
NOTE: This is a seminar course.
Prerequisites: 45 credits at 1100-level or higher, including 3 POLI credits (POLI 1110 highly recommended)
POLI 43303 Credits
International Human Rights
Students will critically examine a variety of issues relating to human rights, including the theoretical underpinnings of human rights, various categories of rights, the mechanisms available for their implementation, and issues relating to their effectiveness. They will probe the reasons why human rights violations continue to occur in many regions of the world, critically assess the emergence and evolution of the current international human rights regime, and explore the conditions that foster or hinder the implementation of international human rights norms.
Note: This is a seminar course.
Prerequisites: 45 credits at the 1100-level or higher, including 3 POLI credits.
POLI 43403 Credits
Public International Law
Students will examine conceptual, theoretical, and empirical dimensions of international law. They will explore the distinction between public and private international law, and probe a range of general areas of law, including: human rights and humanitarian law, as well as specialized international law, including criminal; environmental; trade and investment; and space law. Students will analyze the application of international law at the national level, with special emphasis on the incorporation of international law within the law of Canada. They will examine the challenges of international treaty making; legal compliance and enforcement; international dispute resolution; and will explore the relationship between international law and international relations.
NOTE: This is a seminar course.
Prerequisites: 45 credits of 1100-level or higher, including 3 credits of POLI 1110 or 1125 or 1145 or 1150
POLI 44203 Credits
Issues in Public Policy and Administration
Students will acquire a detailed factual and conceptual framework for the analysis of specific topics within the discipline of public policy and administration. They will critically examine such subjects as the role of government, government intervention, the role and structure of government bureaucracies, interest and pressure groups, the management of the political process, and the relationship between public and foreign policy.
NOTE: This is a seminar course.
Prerequisites: Any 3000 level POLI course
POLI 45003 Credits
Model United Nations
Students will explore international organizations and parliamentary procedure with a particular focus upon the United Nations (UN). They will use a "learning by doing" approach to gain valuable experiences in engagement with foreign policies, UN functions and structure, research skills, public speaking, diplomacy, and negotiation and compromise. Students will examine the history and mandate of the UN’s various principal organs and agencies through readings, case studies, role-playing and simulations. NOTE: students enrolled in this course will be required to participate in KPU’s annual Model United Nations (KMUN) Conference, in order to apply their knowledge of the UN to real-world issues and to demonstrate their understanding of parliamentary procedure.
Prerequisites: POLI 1150 plus any 42 credits at the 1100-level or higher