Political Science, Bachelor of Arts

Program Information
Credential: 
Bachelor's Degree
Duration: 

2 years at RDC - 2 years at most universities

Delivery: 
Main Campus
Program Cost Estimates: 

Contact Information

Contact Name: 
Dr. Jane MacNeil
Contact Title: 
Associate Dean
Contact Phone: 
403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
Contact Email: 
inquire@rdc.ab.ca

Department Information

For more information about the Political Science program, visit the Political Science Department in Humanities & Social Sciences, under About RDC.

University Transfer Program

Two-Year University Transfer Program:

RDC offers the first two years of the Bachelor or Arts program.

For the most current university program and transfer information, see the Planning Guides in Academic Advising.

Related Careers
  • Law
  • Government and Civil Service
  • Radio and Television
  • Education
  • Research
  • Journalism
  • Armed Forces
  • Consulting
  • Industrial Relations
  • Law Enforcement and Corrections
  • Urban Planning
  • Banking and Finance
  • Social Services
  • Administration
  • Recreation
  • Investment Dealing
  • Advertising
  • Public Relations
  • Management
  • Counselling
  • Real Estate
  • Insurance
  • Publishing and Printing
  • Languages and Linguistics
  • Writing
  • Retail Sales

Graduates may also go on to graduate studies (for a Master's or Doctoral program) in Political Science.

Liberal Arts graduates generally have superior skills in conceptual analysis, evaluation and critical reasoning, leadership motivation, and interpersonal and communication skills.

The Program

For a general discussion of the B.A. program, click here.

Political Science is the study of politics and government, the location and use of power in society, and quests for human betterment.

Transfer Features

Visit the Bachelor of Arts page for transfer features.

Requirements
Admission Requirements: 

Visit the Bachelor of Arts page for full admission requirements.

Program Content
University of Alberta

For the Compulsory Core Requirements that must be completed in the courses of a four-year degree, see general information for the B.A. program.

Credits below = U of A credits. RDC credits may differ from U of A credits. Check the Alberta Transfer Guide for transfer credit information.

Refer to the University of Alberta Program Requirements on the Bachelor of Arts page for detailed information.

Suggested Pattern Year 1

  • ENGL 219/ENGL 220 (6 credits)
  • POLI 201/POLI 283 and/or POLI 223 (6-9 credits)
  • Basic Requirement (15-18 credits)
Year 1 Course Descriptions

ENGL 219

The focus is on formal preparation for university level essay writing and the skills related to critical reading; interpretation; and argument. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or English 095 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 219 and ENGL 210.

ENGL 220

The course explores a range of literary genres while continuing to focus on deepening the required structural and critical skills related to thinking and writing about literature. Pre-requisite: Engl 219 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 220 and 210.

POLI 201

An introduction to the basic concepts; ideologies; institutions and processes of politics. Not open to students who are taking or have taken Poli 200. Note: This course is required for all Political Science majors.

POLI 223

Selected themes in Canadian politics; such as federalism and regionalism; the Charter of Rights; issues of diversity and citizenship; and how we are governed. Not open to students who are taking or have taken POLI 200 or POLI 321.

POLI 283

This course deals with major trends in world politics; such as international tensions; migration; ethnic and religious conflict; human rights and sustainable development. Note: This course is required for all majors in Political Science.

Suggested Pattern Year 2

  • POLI 308/POLI 309 (6 credits)
  • POLI 320 (6 credits)
  • Basic Requirement (6 credits)
  • Open Option (12 credits)
Year 2 Course Descriptions

POLI 308

(Plato to Machiavelli) Equal to the first half of POLI 310 Prerequisite: Not open to students in the first year without consent of the Department.

POLI 309

(Hobbes to the Present) Equal to the second half of POLI 310. Prerequisite: Not open to students in the first year without consent of the Department.

POLI 320

Survey course. Basic concepts and terminology. Political culture. Ideologies and political parties. The social and economic context. Western alienation. Quebecois nationalism. The Constitution. Charter of Rights. Federalism. Elections. Parliament; cabinet; bureaucracy. The Judiciary. Political participation. Interest groups. Note: This is the core course in Canadian politics and is a prerequisite for most 400 level courses in this field. Note: You cannot take POLI 320 if you have taken; or are taking; POLI 321.

University of Calgary

For the Compulsory Core Requirements that must be completed in the courses of a four-year degree, see general information for the B.A. program.

Credits below = U of C credits. RDC credits may differ from U of C credits. Check the Alberta Transfer Guide for transfer credit information.

Refer to the University of Calgary Program requirements on the Bachelor of Arts page for detailed information.

Suggested Year 1 Pattern

  • ENGL 219/ENGL 220 (6 credits)
  • POLI 201/POLI 283 and/or POLI 223 (6-9 credits)
  • Open Options (15-18 credits)
Year 1 Course Descriptions

ENGL 219

The focus is on formal preparation for university level essay writing and the skills related to critical reading; interpretation; and argument. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or English 095 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 219 and ENGL 210.

ENGL 220

The course explores a range of literary genres while continuing to focus on deepening the required structural and critical skills related to thinking and writing about literature. Pre-requisite: Engl 219 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 220 and 210.

POLI 201

An introduction to the basic concepts; ideologies; institutions and processes of politics. Not open to students who are taking or have taken Poli 200. Note: This course is required for all Political Science majors.

POLI 223

Selected themes in Canadian politics; such as federalism and regionalism; the Charter of Rights; issues of diversity and citizenship; and how we are governed. Not open to students who are taking or have taken POLI 200 or POLI 321.

POLI 283

This course deals with major trends in world politics; such as international tensions; migration; ethnic and religious conflict; human rights and sustainable development. Note: This course is required for all majors in Political Science.

Suggested Year 2 Pattern

  • POLI 308/POLI 309 (6 credits)
  • POLI 320 (6 credits)
  • Open Option (18 credits)

Note: Students are permitted a maximum of 24 credits in their major

Year 2 Course Descriptions

POLI 308

(Plato to Machiavelli) Equal to the first half of POLI 310 Prerequisite: Not open to students in the first year without consent of the Department.

POLI 309

(Hobbes to the Present) Equal to the second half of POLI 310. Prerequisite: Not open to students in the first year without consent of the Department.

POLI 320

Survey course. Basic concepts and terminology. Political culture. Ideologies and political parties. The social and economic context. Western alienation. Quebecois nationalism. The Constitution. Charter of Rights. Federalism. Elections. Parliament; cabinet; bureaucracy. The Judiciary. Political participation. Interest groups. Note: This is the core course in Canadian politics and is a prerequisite for most 400 level courses in this field. Note: You cannot take POLI 320 if you have taken; or are taking; POLI 321.

University of Lethbridge

For the General Liberal Education Requirements that must be completed in the courses of a four-year degree, see general information for the B.A. program.

Credits below = U of L credits. RDC credits may differ from U of L credits. Check the Alberta Transfer Guide for transfer credit information.

Refer to the University of Lethbridge Program requirements on the Bachelor of Arts page for detailed information.

Suggested Year 1 Pattern

  • POLI 200 (6 credits) OR
  • POLI 201/POLI 283
  • ENGL 219/ENGL 220 (6 credits)
  • General Liberal Education Requirements (18 credits)
Year 1 Course Descriptions

ENGL 219

The focus is on formal preparation for university level essay writing and the skills related to critical reading; interpretation; and argument. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or English 095 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 219 and ENGL 210.

ENGL 220

The course explores a range of literary genres while continuing to focus on deepening the required structural and critical skills related to thinking and writing about literature. Pre-requisite: Engl 219 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 220 and 210.

POLI 200

The political institutions; processes; and problems in Canada and other democratic and non-democratic governments. Basic terminology. Classification of political systems. Ideologies. Democratic representation. Constitutions and civil liberties. Federalism. Legislatures; executives; and bureaucracy. Legal adjudication. Public opinion and voting behaviour. Political parties and interest groups. Basic issues in international relations. Note: This course is required for all majors in Political Science.

POLI 201

An introduction to the basic concepts; ideologies; institutions and processes of politics. Not open to students who are taking or have taken Poli 200. Note: This course is required for all Political Science majors.

POLI 283

This course deals with major trends in world politics; such as international tensions; migration; ethnic and religious conflict; human rights and sustainable development. Note: This course is required for all majors in Political Science.

Suggested Year 2 Pattern

  • Sr POLI (3 credits)
  • POLI 308 or POLI 309 (3 credits)
  • POLI 320 (6 credits)
  • Open Options (18 credits)
Year 2 Course Descriptions

POLI 308

(Plato to Machiavelli) Equal to the first half of POLI 310 Prerequisite: Not open to students in the first year without consent of the Department.

POLI 309

(Hobbes to the Present) Equal to the second half of POLI 310. Prerequisite: Not open to students in the first year without consent of the Department.

POLI 320

Survey course. Basic concepts and terminology. Political culture. Ideologies and political parties. The social and economic context. Western alienation. Quebecois nationalism. The Constitution. Charter of Rights. Federalism. Elections. Parliament; cabinet; bureaucracy. The Judiciary. Political participation. Interest groups. Note: This is the core course in Canadian politics and is a prerequisite for most 400 level courses in this field. Note: You cannot take POLI 320 if you have taken; or are taking; POLI 321.