Political Science

POSC 1003 credits
Introduction to Politics
Prerequisite(s): None
This course introduces students to the underlying themes and concepts of modern western politics. The course will be historical and philosophical, but at the same time it will consider contemporary political problems and issues. The course will focus on recurring political ideas and conflicting moral claims about the primary purposes of government. The course is intended to prepare students for further study of politics.

POSC 1103 credits
Canadian Politics
Prerequisite(s): None
Approaches the study of the governmental structures and institutions of contemporary Canada by considering social, political and economic factors which have exercised significant influence on their development. Canadian government will be viewed in terms of its dynamic interaction with the broader political environment.

POSC 1203 credits
Ideology and Politics
Prerequisite(s): None
Political Science 120 provides an examination of Classical Liberalism, Post-War Liberalism, and Neo-Liberalism as well as Red Tory, Democratic Socialist, and Marxist critiques of contemporary society and politics. The course combines the examination of both economic and political doctrines with a view to the understanding of contemporary Canadian and world politics.

POSC 1903 credits
International Relations
Prerequisite(s): None
A study of aspects of global conflict and world politics. The course provides students with the background necessary for an understanding of sources of power, techniques of wielding influence, and the formulation of foreign policy. The course typically examines international law, economic disparity, human rights and global ecology in the context of international political economy.

POSC 2003 credits
Introduction to Political Analysis
Prerequisite(s): POSC 120
Introduction to various modes of political analysis, including classical perspectives, political economy and empirical political analysis.

POSC 2103 credits
Canadian Constitutional Politics
Prerequisite(s): POSC 110
This course will survey Canada’s constitutional “odyssey” from 1763 to the present, with a strong emphasis on the post-Confederation period. More specifically, the course will focus on the efforts to patriate the constitution in the post-World War II era and the political consequences of those efforts. The course will examine the different perspectives on the constitution advocated by the various actors in the Canadian political process — governments, parties, and interest groups. Special attention will be paid to the changing terms of the debate as new actors — women, new Canadians, and Aboriginal peoples — joined the constitutional conversation. Finally, the course will assess where Canada now stands in relation to its constitutional “odyssey” and the most appropriate processes for constitutional reform.

POSC 2303 credits
Comparative Politics
Prerequisite(s): Any 100-level course in political science
An introduction to the basic structures, processes and policies of modern governments through an examination of foreign governments.

POSC 2703 credits
Introduction to Political Theory
Prerequisite(s): POSC 120 or PHIL 110 or PHIL 130 or CRIM 130
Introduction to the activity of political theory and the history of political thought.
Note: POSC 270 is the same as PHIL 210. Although transferability may differ, credit cannot be obtained for both POSC 270 and PHIL 210 at UFV.

POSC 2903 credits
International Organizations
(formerly POSC 195)
Prerequisite(s): POSC 190
This course examines the history and present status of international and regional governmental and non-governmental organizations which act in the international arena. Emphasis will be placed on organizations such as the United Nations, the European Community, OPEC, Amnesty International, and NATO, as well as multinational corporations.

POSC 3103 credits
Canadian Federalism
Prerequisite(s): POSC 110 or POSC 210
Corequisite(s): None
This course will examine the origin and development of federalism in Canada from 1867 to the present. The course will focus on the difficulties of creating and managing a social welfare state in a federal political system. Particular attention will be paid to the challenge of dividing and sharing fiscal resources. Special attention will also be devoted to how the various mega-constitutional orientations present in Canada affect the operation of the federal political system. The course will conclude with an examination with the challenge of incorporating municipal and aboriginal governments into the federal system and the concomitant idea of multilevel governance. Finally, we shall examine the relationship between democracy and federalism.

POSC 3113 credits
History of Political Thought I: Plato to Luther
Prerequisite(s): POSC 120 or POSC 270 or PHIL 210
History of Western political thought from Classical Greece through the Italian Renaissance. The course will focus on the writings of Plato, Aristotle, Ciccero, Augustine, Aquinas, and Macchiavelli.

POSC 3123 credits
History of Political Thought II: Protestant Reformation to 1900
Prerequisite(s): POSC 311
History of Western political thought from the Protestant Reformation through the 19th century. The course will focus on the writing of Luther, Calvin, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Bentham, Hegel, Marx, and Nietzsche.

POSC 3203 credits
Canadian Political Thought
Prerequisite(s): 45 credits from Arts, Science, or Applied programs, including two of POSC 110, POSC 120, POSC 190, POSC 195, POSC 230, POSC 270
This course will introduce students to many of the major political ideas and theorists that have shaped the intellectual landscape of this country. It will introduce students to such ideas/theorists in an historical manner; the course will finish with a discussion of some of the major issues before us at the present time.

POSC 3223 credits
Introduction to American Politics
Prerequisite(s): POSC 230 or 45 university-level credits
This course will provide analysis of various aspects of American political life, the major U.S. political institutions, and how they interrelate to affect political outcomes. The course will also consider the role of both the Constitution and
American civic life as these impact politics in the U.S. and elsewhere.

POSC 3303 credits
Human Rights: Theory and History
Prerequisite(s): Nine credits of Philosophy or Political Science, including one of the following: POSC 120 or POSC 190 or POSC 290 or POSC 270 or PHIL 110 or PHIL 210 or PHIL 230
The language of human rights is woven into the fabric of our culture, society, and political discourse. This course will examine different notions of rights and responsibilities, and the history of these ideas as they are embodied in various organizations and institutions.

POSC 3323 credits
The Politics of Multiculturalism
Prerequisite(s): 45 university-level credits
This course explores and critically assesses various perspectives on multiculturalism. Through an analysis of different theoretical perspectives and various political topics (such as Indigenous self-government, reasonable accommodation, Shariah law debates, the ‘war on terror’, etc.), students are invited to reflect critically on issues of power, citizenship, belonging, diversity, difference, and liberal and democratic principles and practices.

POSC 3353 credits
Civil Liberties and the Charter in Canada
Prerequisite(s): 45 credits from Arts, Science or Applied programs, including POSC 110
A study of the relationship between the government and individual liberty in Canada. The focus is upon the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and its interpretation by our judiciary. Examination of the issues of equality before the law, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, hate literature and obscenity. Consideration of the rights of incarcerated individuals and the rights of individuals designated as mentally disordered.
Note: Credit cannot be obtained for both POSC 335 and CRIM 335.

POSC 3503 credits
Gender and Feminist Political Theory
Prerequisite(s): 45 university-level credits
This course will provide a survey of some of the key debates in gender and feminist political theory, including meanings of gender, the idea of women in political thought, and how gendered identities are conceived and organized
in law and society.

POSC 4103 credits
Intergovernmental Relations in Canada
Prerequisite(s): POSC 210 and POSC 310
This course will provide a detailed examination of the processes of intergovernmental relations in Canada. While the theory of federalism posits that there should be two orders of government each with their own sphere of jurisdiction, the practice of federalism in Canada entails considerable intergovernmental collaboration. Almost every policy sector has a federal–provincial interface, which for the most part is managed by a legion of civil servants. A central proposition of this course is that executive federalism is alive and well in Canada. We will evaluate the processes of executive federalism and to consider the ramifications of managing the federation through these processes.

POSC 4803 credits
Selected Topics in Political Theory
Prerequisite(s): 60 university-level credits
Political theory is one of the cornerstones of political science. This course will provide students with an opportunity to acquire a deeper understanding of the discipline through a detailed exploration of topics in political theory.

POSC 4813 credits
Selected Topics in Comparative Politics
Prerequisite(s): 60 university-level credits

The study of comparative politics is a key to understanding the nature of political systems. By engaging in a comparative analysis of these systems, students will acquire a more sophisticated and subtle understanding of political realities and political possibilities. This course builds on what is covered in lower-level courses and will consist of a detailed exploration of one or more topics in comparative politics.

POSC 4823 credits
Selected Topics in Canadian Politics
Prerequisite(s): 60 university-level credits

The study of Canadian politics is a complex and detailed process. This course goes beyond what is covered in introductory courses and allows students to increase their knowledge through the advanced study of one or more topics in Canadian politics.

POSC 4833 credits
Selected Topics in International Relations
Prerequisite(s): 60 university-level credits

The goal of the course is to increase students' understanding of international relations through a detailed exploration of one or more topics in the area. The course provides the student with an opportunity to engage in an advanced study of international relations.

POSC 4903 credits
Directed Studies in Political Thought
Prerequisite(s): Twelve credits of Philosophy or Political Science, and written consent of both the faculty member and the department head
This course offers the student the opportunity to pursue in depth independent study of a particular issue, problem or topic in the areas of political thought. The student must, in consultation with a faculty member, develop a detailed individual course proposal indicating the readings or other study to be undertaken and how the course work will be assessed.

POSC 4913 credits
Directed Studies in Politics
Prerequisite(s): Nine credits of Political Science, and written consent of both the faculty member and the department head
This course offers students the opportunity to pursue in-depth independent study of a particular issue, problem, or topic in any area of politics. The student must, in consultation with a faculty member, develop a detailed individual course proposal indicating the readings or other study to be undertaken and how the course work will be assessed.

Last extracted: April 23, 2010 09:45:16 PM