Political Science
OVERVIEW
What is Political Science?
Political science is concerned with the theory and practice of politics and the description and analysis of political systems and political behavior. The UPEI / Cairo Campus / Political Science Department offers courses covering four fields in political studies: Canadian Politics, Political Theory, Comparative Politics, and International Politics. Students can complete coursework toward either a major or a minor in Political Science.
Why Political Science at UPEI?
There are several reasons why you should choose to major or minor in political science at UPEI. The Department is characterized by diverse course offerings by expert and engaging faculty with active research interests. The small and collegial atmosphere in the department provides a unique opportunity to build mentor relationships with faculty and upper year students. The small class sizes and upper year seminar classes provide an excellent opportunity to hone research, writing, and presentation skills.
Course structure
Note: Current UPEI students should refer to Student Planning in myUPEI and the UPEI Academic Calendar governing their entry year and speak to an academic advisor about course requirements. The course structure presented for this program is a recommended, unofficial progression for prospective students.
Note: As per Academic Regulation 1h, all undergraduate degree programs require successful completion of IKE-1040 (new for students beginning or returning after re-application in Fall 2022); one of UPEI-1010, UPEI-1020, or UPEI-1030, and a Writing Intensive Course.
Major
To obtain a major in Political Science, students must complete a minimum of 42 semester hours (14 courses) in Political Science, and must include the following four core courses:
- 2530 Introduction to Political Theory,
- 2620 Canadian Politics,
- 2820 International Politics, and
- either 4220 Comparative Ethnic Nationalism or 4510 Comparative Politics.
one further course from each of the following fields: Canadian Politics, Comparative Politics, and International Politics; and an additional seven electives in the discipline.
Majors will normally complete Political Science 2530 (Introduction to Political Theory) by the end of their second year of study; they must do so no later than the end of their third year of studies. A major program must contain a minimum of six courses at the 3000 or 4000 level. The four required core courses cover four areas in the discipline: Introduction to Political Theory (2530), Canadian Politics (2620), International Politics (2820), and Comparative Politics (4510).
The purpose of the core course requirement is to ensure that every graduate of the Department has a solid grounding in fields integral to discipline. In addition, the core courses promote the development of analytical skills and lay the foundations for more effective work in advanced-level courses.
All majors and prospective majors are advised to consult with the Department Chair at the beginning of each term. This consultation is intended to ensure that each student’s program satisfies the Department’s requirements and satisfies the student’s needs.
Introductory Courses
The Department offers two introductory courses as normal entries to the discipline. While not required, either of these courses will be counted toward a major in Political Science.
Introductory Politics
1010 Introductory Politics I Government and Politics in Liberal Democracies 1020 Introductory Politics II Political Ideologies in Liberal Democracies
Canadian Politics
- 2010 Canadian Politics I: Government
- 2020 Politics and Government of Prince Edward Island
- 2110 Law, Politics and the Judicial Process I
- 2120 Law, Politics and the Judicial Process II
- 2620 Canadian Politics II: Environment and Processes
- 3010 Federalism and Federation
- 3020 Canadian Federalism
- 3110 Canadian Public Administration
- 3140 Canadian Public Policy
- 3150 Canadian Foreign Policy
- 3530 The Politics of Canadian-American Relations
- 4010 Law, the Courts and the Constitution I
- 4020 Law, the Courts and the Constitution II
- 4110 Political Parties and Elections in Canada
- 4850 Internship: Legislatures, Politics and Practice
Political Theory
- 2220 Political Ideologies
- 2530 Introduction to Political Theory
- 3310 Twentieth-Century Political Thought
- 3320 Postmodernism and Contemporary Political Thought
- 3350 Utopia
- 4310 Political Thinkers
- 4320 Politics and the Mass Media
- 4340 Leo Strauss, Neo-conservatism, and American Foreign Policy
- 4350 The Globalization Debate
Comparative Politics
- 2210 Political Economy and Social Change in the Developing World
- 2330 Political Geography
- 3430 Comparative Politics of South Asia
- 3510 The Political Culture of the United States
- 3520 The Political System of the United States
- 3540 Contemporary British Politics
- 3610 Comparative Politics of Africa
- 3620 Comparative Politics of Latin America and the Caribbean
- 3630 The Comparative Politics of the Middle East
- 3710 Political Transition in Central and Eastern Europe
- 3720 The Politics of Russia and Its Borderlands
- 4140 Public Policy in Small Island Jurisdictions
- 4220 Ethnic Nationalism in Comparative Perspective
- 4410 Comparative European Politics I
- 4420 Comparative European Politics II
- 4450 Political Economy of East and Southeast Africa
- 4510 Contending Approaches in Comparative Politics
- 4610 Seminar in the History of Canadian External Relations
International Politics
- 2310 War and Peace
- 2820 Introduction to International Politics
- 3900 US Foreign Policy
- 3910 Comparative Foreign Policy
- 3920 International Political Economy
- 3930 International Theory
- 4360 European Intellectual History Since 1789
- 4710 International Organizations
- 4720 International Law
- 4750 International Human Rights
- 4810 Small States and Micro-States in the International
- 4820 The Politics of European Integration
- 4830 American European Relations in the Post-Cold War
Minor
To obtain a minor in Political Science, students must complete the following requirements: 21 semester hours in the discipline at the 2000 level and above, distributed over at least three of the four fields (Canadian Politics, Political Theory, Comparative Politics, and International Politics).
At least three courses (nine semester hours) must be from the 3000 level or above. Those taking a minors program in Political Science should also meet with the Department Chair at the beginning of each term to review their program.
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ADMISSIONS CRITERIA
What's Required for Faculty of Arts?
Refer to Undergraduate Admissions page for information on admission.
fees and funding
Faculty of Arts Tuition
UPEI Cairo Campus supports students and their educational goals by offering a number of scholarships based on merit. Scholarships are offered to students with special qualifications such as academic, athletic, or artistic talents. Visit Scholarship Criteria page for more information.
Faculty Members
Your mentors. Our professors.
UPEI has exceptional scholars, teachers, and mentors, with more being hired each year as we open new, progressive, and unique programs. But the story isn’t just in numbers. It’s in terms of the quality of our people. Here, you’ll learn directly from these world-class professors and researchers in small classes where you’ll have easy access to them.