The Specialization in World Politics is open to students in the Political Studies program.
Students who have fulfilled the requirements for the single- or joint-major Honours or General degree in Political Studies may graduate with a Specialization in World Politics if they have successfully completed the following 4.0 credits:
2.0 POST credits consisting of:
POST 1001H- Politics and Power in the Global Age
An introduction to the basic ideas in politics focusing on power and why consent to be governed is forthcoming in historical and contemporary contexts. Topics may include consumerism, inequality, the environment, and gender. Topics are discussed within the context of consent in an era of intensifying twenty-first-century globalization.
POST 1002H- Issues in Contemporary Politics: Thinking About Participation, Power, and Justice
Explores pressing issues and challenges students to think about how to address them. Using the Canadian experience as a point of departure, examines questions such as how to improve participation, how have social media affected politics, should taxes be lower/higher, and can oil sands development be balanced with environmental protection.
POST 2351H- Ancient and Modern Political Theory
This course surveys the history of political thought from ancient Greece to the end of the nineteenth century. Students will be introduced to how political theorists defined key concepts, such as natural right, sovereignty, contract, political rights, freedom, domination, and equality. Prerequisite: 4.0 university credits or permission of instructor.
POST 2352H- Contemporary Political Theory
This course is a selective survey that introduces students to central texts, questions, debates, and concepts in contemporary political theory. It examines how thinkers from diverse vintage points have developed different theoretical frameworks to grapple with and make sense of the political reality and pressing political questions they face. Prerequisite: 4.0 university credits or permission of instructor.
2.0 POST credits from:
POST 2282H- Foreign Policy Analysis: an Introduction
Introduces students to foreign policy analysis. Drawing from multiple disciplines such as political studies, psychology, and sociology, attention is paid to domestic and international factors shaping a state's foreign policy. By the end of the course, students should be able to carry out their own foreign policy analysis of states.
POST 3030H- Eco-Anxiety to Eco-Hope: (Re)Imagining Green Futures Through Dialogue With Diversity
An interdisciplinary examination of the power of ideas, activating political, economic, sociocultural, gender, justice, and creative lenses to bridge diverse ways of knowing and inspire hope for a better future. Topics include eco-anxiety, environmental justice, attitudes toward nature, ecofeminism, radical environmentalism, sustainability, limits to growth, and perceptions of environmental risk. Prerequisite: 1.0 POST and/or ERST credit or permission of instructor.
POST 3123H- The Politics of Global Finance
Explores the economic, political, and social impacts of global money and finance while surveying the tight linkages between finance and state power. Topics include the transformation of the global financial system, the causes and implications of financial crises, debt and development in the Global South, and debates on climate finance. Prerequisite: 5.0 university credits.
POST 3161H- Extremism in the Twenty-First Century
Examines (violent) extremism as ideology and political strategy with linkages to assassinations, militias, political parties, rebellions, or acts of terrorism. Scrutinizes their proliferation on social media along with their domestic and foreign policy expressions. Larger goal is to understand the sources of political violence as well as potential solutions. Prerequisite: 4.0 university credits.
POST 3285H- Global Threats in a World At Risk: Heading for Dystopia?
Our world is seemingly moving from crisis to crisis with extinction no longer a fictional scenario but a distinct possibility. This course examines these crises by putting the categories of risk and security centre stage. Discussed are key social theories and practical skills of risk assessment and management. Prerequisite: 7.0 university credits or permission of instructor.
POST 3290H- Causes of War
Familiarizes students with a variety of theories on the causes of war. Is war human nature? Is war "the continuation of politics by other means," as Clausewitz stated? Is war linked to race, class, and gender? The course also scrutinizes the power of propaganda through war films and news coverage. Prerequisite: 7.0 university credits or permission of instructor.
POST 3420H- Perspectives on Poverty and Protest
Explores intersection of poverty and power--relations of ruling--through an examination of anti-poverty activism. Students analyze dominant strategic mobilizing approaches and investigate select case-studies of anti-poverty activism related to welfare, homelessness, migration, and drugs. The role of institutional advocates in the mobilization process is also scrutinized. Prerequisite: 7.0 university credits including 1.0 POST, ADMN, ANTH, CHYS, CRIM, ECON, GDST/IDST, IESS, INDG, PLCW, SOCI, and/or SWRK credit at the 2000 level, or permission of instructor.
POST 3604H- Quantitative Research Methods and Design: Getting Research Done
This course introduces students to some of the fundamental principles that underlie empirical research. By the end of the course students should be able to recognize the value of different methodological approaches, understand the fundamental steps necessary for undertaking a research plan, and critically evaluate key aspects of empirical research. Prerequisite: 7.0 university credits.
POST 3850H- Leadership Lab: Research and Practice
The Leadership Lab offers students the opportunity to experience team-based research within a think-tank environment. Alongside formal learning about contemporary challenges concerning leadership in democratic contexts, student teams work together to design and execute a major research project that is published via the web. Prerequisite: 7.0 university credits.
POST 4240Y- Canada, Globalization, and Development
Canada's place within twentieth- and twenty-first-century globalization, along with its North-South policies and practices, are examined. Topics include Fordism and post-Fordism, global production and social reproduction, environment, inequality, dissent, development assistance, and the roles of Canadian business and civil society in international development. Prerequisite: 14.0 university credits including 1.0 GDST/IDST, CAST, and/or POST credit at the 2000 level or permission of instructor. Equivalent to IDST 4240Y.
POST 4252H- Refugees, Forced Migration, ad Experience in the Canadian Context
This course focuses on the ethical and moral complexities raised by displacement and forced migration. Students examine the social, economic, and political factors associated with Canada's refugee sponsorship programs. Attention is given to media representations of refugees. Topics include resilience, parenting in a war context, and refugee education. Prerequisite: 10.0 university credits including 1.0 POST, CAST, GDST/IDST, and/or SOCI credit at the 2000 level, and an additional 2.0 credits at the 3000 level of which at least 1.0 must be from POST, GDST/IDST, CAST, or SOCI, or permission of instructor.
POST 4255H- Globalization and the Politics of Work
Work is a central feature of everyday lives, structuring not only who we are but also our life chances. But what do we mean by work (e.g., paid, unpaid, care, part-time, gigs)? How does globalization and technological change work? Topics include work generation theories, power, production, and social reproduction. Prerequisite: 12.0 university credits including 1.0 POST, ADMN, GDST/IDST, and/or SOCI credit at the 2000 level; or permission of instructor.
POST 4272H- Liberal Democracy at the Crossroads: Imagining Alternatives
Liberal democracies are at a crossroads. Challenged by authoritarian regimes, eroded from within by far-right populists and seemingly incapable of delivering on key concerns more and more people are disillusioned. This course seeks to counter this by building on already existing alternatives including indigenous governance and Chile's new plurinational constitution. Prerequisite: 12.0 university credits including 1.0 POST credit, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for POST-IDST 4270Y.
POST 4873H- Community-Based Research With Immigrants
Students engage in community-based research with a local immigrant focused agency to research, create, recommendation policies and ultimately solutions to challenges faced by immigrants in the community. Students learn the basics of conducting action-oriented research that advances social justice and creates social change. Prerequisite: 10.0 university credits including 1.0 POST and/or GDST/IDST credit at the 2000 level, and 2.0 credits at the 3000 level of which at least 1.0 must be from POST and/or GDST/IDST. Not open to students with credit for POST 4872H (2023-2024).
Reading courses:
POST 3900Y, 3901H, 3902H, 3903H, 4900Y, 4901H, 4902H, 4903H
Research practicum courses:
POST 4800Y, 4801H, 4802H
Thesis:
POST 4020D (primarily focused on World Politics)