Political Science

The primary goal of political science is to explore governing alternatives for citizens in a rapidly changing world by using disciplinary concepts, analytical tools and critical reflection. To study politics is to gain knowledge of the wide-ranging forces shaping modern political issues, institutions, processes and decision-making. Political science enhances students’ transferable skills such as analytical capacity, researching and writing.

Students in political science explore the roles of government at the local, regional, and national levels as well as issues in world politics. Elections, voting behaviour, political parties, interest groups and policy-making are examined. The Department's studies include Canadian and U.S. politics and government, world politics and international security, comparative politics, and political philosophy and ethics.

Department Website

For an overview of Political Science, including faculty listings and other resources, please visit the departmental website.

Career/Further Educational Opportunities

Students considering a career in political science have access to wide-ranging fields. These include the civil service (federal, provincial, and municipal governments), for- and non-profit organizations, interest and advocacy groups (business/labour/environment), political parties, law and journalism, broadcasting, post-secondary teaching and international organizations.

Past Douglas College political science students have gone on to further study of government and politics at colleges and universities across Canada such the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, the University of Saskatchewan, York University, Queen’s University, Carleton University, McGill University, the University of Toronto and Dalhousie University. Others have pursued graduate degrees outside Canada at the University of Chicago, New York University and the University of London.

Political Science courses at Douglas College are transferable to colleges and universities in British Columbia. Please refer to the current BC Transfer Guide for details about transferability.

Political Science majors may take all the transfer courses listed below, given the prerequisites (although instructors can waive prerequisites on a case-by-case basis). Prospective students are encouraged to enrol in the general introductory course POLI 1101 before enrolling in second-year courses.

There are three main entry-level courses in Political Science:

1. POLI 1101 (Introduction to Political Science) is a prerequisite for
   
   POLI 2200 (Politics and Ethics)
   POLI 2201 (Introduction to Political Theory)
   POLI 2209 (U.S. Government and Politics)
   POLI 2210 (Introduction to Comparative Politics)


2. POLI 1102 (Introduction to Canadian Government) and
   POLI 2202 (Introduction to Canadian Politics)


3. POLI 1103 (Introduction to World Politics) is a prerequisite for
   
   POLI 2203 (Contemporary International Issues)

Location

The Department offers courses at both the New Westminster and David Lam campuses.

Intake Dates/Application Deadlines

Political Science courses are offered in all three semesters: Fall, Winter and Summer.

Prerequisite Compliance

1. General Admission Requirements.
2. English 12 with a minimum grade of "C" or approved substitution.

Students requesting transfer credit from other institutions or submitting high school transcripts from outside British Columbia to satisfy prerequisite compliance are required to apply and submit those documents no later than three months in advance of the intake.

Credentials

Students in Political Science may pursue an Associate of Arts Degree at Douglas College or transfer to a university or university college and pursue a Associate of Arts Degree.