We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

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Global Studies specialization

What is the Global Studies specialization?

Students taking a specialization in Global Studies will examine political, ecological, economic, cultural, and social issues of a global scope. The program draws on political science theories and methodologies as well as a range of other disciplinary perspectives in providing a deep examination of major events and processes across the globe. Students will study trends in international development, democratic governance, international criminal justice, international law, and economic globalization. In addition, the specialization focuses on climate change and biodiversity loss as well as the impact of new telecommunication technologies. As part of their course requirements, students will also be asked to consider and develop sustainable solutions to urgent international problems.

What are admission requirements for the Global Studies program?

Although admission to the Political Science - Global Studies program is competitive, the specific grade average required for admission varies from year to year and preference will be given to applicants with the best qualifications. Current Ontario secondary school students must complete the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with six 4U or 4M credits including English (ENG4U). All other applicants should refer to admissions for the requirements for their specific category of admission. To learn more about the admissions process and apply, visit our Undergraduate Admissions website.

Experiential Learning: Internships, Practicum, and Community Engagement

A limited number of students will have the opportunity in fourth year to participate in work-integrated learning through internships, Practicum and community engagement. To learn more, visit the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities Experiential Learning webpage.

What courses will I experience to earn my Political Science degree?

Your Academic Advising team and professors will be there to support you as you map and take your learning journey through the Political Science - Global Studies courses toward your degree! To earn the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Political Science, you must complete the courses outlined below (for a total of 120 credits).

First year:

POSC 1000U Introduction to Political Science
POSC 1200U Introduction to Democracy in Theory & Practice
SOCI 1000U Introductory Sociology
SSCI 1910U Writing for the Social Sciences

+ two of:

COMM 1100U Introduction to Communication Studies
CRMN 1000U Introduction to Criminal Justice
LGLS 1000U Foundations of Legal Studies
PSYC 1000U Introductory Psychology

Political Science year two and beyond major core courses (75 credit hours), including:

POSC 2000U Canadian Politics
POSC 2100U Global Politics
POSC 2200U Fundamentals of Policy Theory
POSC 2300U Mobilizing for Change
POSC 2502U Community Development and Social Change
POSC 3000U Policy, Democracy and Governance
POSC 3800U Capitalism and Socialism
POSC 4000U International Politics and Policy
POSC 4010U Policy Development

+ one of:

POSC 4300U Special Topics in Political Science
POSC 4310U The Politics of Indigenous Rights

+ three of:

POSC 3100U Political Economy of Global Development
POSC 3101U Inequality, Environment and Development
POSC 3102U Race and Racism in Political Culture
POSC 3300U Building Sustainable Communities
POSC 3301U Eco-Justice
POSC 3302U Environment and Globalization
POSC 3303U Policies for Sustainability
POSC 3310U Indigenous Peoples, Sustainability and Development: A Global Perspective
POSC 3600U Politics of Education in Canada
POSC 3700U Technology, Politics and Social Theory
POSC 3750U American Politics and Political Culture
POSC 3751U Media, War and Conflict

+ two of:

POSC 3201U Rural Communities
POSC 3203U Urban Development
POSC 3500U Equity Policy
POSC 3601U The Politics of Health
POSC 3602U Labour in the Global Economy
POSC 3603U The Politics of Housing

+ one of:

POSC approved elective*
POSC 4005U Independent Study
SSCI 4101U Honours Thesis I
POSC 4104U Directed Research

+ one of:

POSC approved elective*
SSCI 4098U Practicum
SSCI 4103U Internship

+ one of:

POSC approved elective*
SSCI 4102U Honours Thesis II

Seven general electives**

It is recommended that students take one of the following as a general elective:

SSCI 2900 Research Methods
SSCI 2910 Data Analysis
SSCI 2920 Qualitative Research Methods.

Students are also strongly encouraged to take the following POSC courses as part of their general program requirements:

POSC 3100, Political Economy of Global Development
POSC 3101, Inequality, Environment and Development
POSC 3302, Environment and Globalization
POSC 3300, Building Sustainable Communities
POSC 3303, Policies for Sustainability

The remaining 24 credit hours are selected based on the student's choice to pursue the political science major, or the political science major with a specialization.

Global Studies specialization (24 credit hours), including:

LGLS 1000U Foundations of Legal Studies
SSCI 1470U Impact of Science and Technology on Society
LGLS 2940U Legal Research Methods

+ two of:

ENVS 1000U Environmental Science
COMM 2270U Entertainment Goes Global
LGLS 2120U International Law
SSCI 2020U Issues in Diversity

+ two of:

COMM 3350U Environmental Communication
COMM 3510U Work in the Digital Age
COMM 3710U Intercultural Communication
CRMN 3045U Terrorism
CRMN 3301U Green Criminology and Eco-Justice
LGLS 3230U Law and Globalization
LGLS 3310U Indigenous Peoples, Law and the State in Canada
LGLS 3700U Law and Power

+ one of:

CRMN 3050U Police and Society
COMM 4420U Digital Media, Politics and Democracy
COMM 4710U International Communication
HLSC 4803U Global Health

*POSC approved electives:

COMM 3310U Communication, Communities and Social Change
COMM 3350U Environmental Communication
COMM 3510U Work in the Digital Age
COMM 3710U Intercultural Communication
COMM 3720U Communicating Identities
COMM 4261U Tweet, Friend and Follow Me: Understanding Social Media
COMM 4420U Digital Media, Politics and Democracy
COMM 4610U Communication and Conflict Resolution
COMM 4710U International Communication
CRMN 3040U Restorative Justice
CRMN 3050U Police and Society
CRMN 3056U Race-ing Justice
CRMN 3301U Green Criminology and Eco-Justice
CRMN 4020U Corporate Crime
CRMN 4021U Cybercrime
HLSC 4803U Global Health
LGLS 2940U Legal Research Methods
LGLS 3230U Law and Globalization
LGLS 3300U Disability and the Law
LGLS 3310U Indigenous Peoples, Law and the State in Canada
LGLS 3320U Race, Ethnicity and the Law
LGLS 3410U Labour and Employment Law
LGLS 3520U Law and Technology
LGLS 3530U Intellectual Property
LGLS 3620U Human Rights Mediation
LGLS 3700U Law and Power
LGLS 4040U Law and the Environment
LGLS 4070U Public Governance through Law
LGLS 4200U Law and Social Change
SSCI 2900U Research Methods
SSCI 2910U Data Analysis
SSCI 2920U Qualitative Research Methods
SSCI 3910U Advanced Data Analysis
SSCI 3920U Advanced Qualitative Methods
SSCI 4020U Leadership and Administration

** General electives can be taken at/or adjoining their year level, where permission has been granted and prerequisites have been fulfilled. No more than three 1000-level elective courses can be included.