MacEwan University is a prominent institution of higher education located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. With a history dating back to 1971, the university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including arts, sciences, business, health, and social sciences. MacEwan University is known for its emphasis on hands-on learning, practical experience, and industry partnerships, ensuring students are well-prepared for their chosen careers. The university's supportive and inclusive environment fosters critical thinking, creativity, and community engagement. MacEwan University is committed to providing quality education, advancing research, and making a positive impact on its students and the community.

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You are passionate about engaging with the big challenges that societies and governments face. You are open minded, curious and able to think about issues from multiple perspectives. Study here and learn about the role that politics play in resolving conflict and making collective decisions in society. Political scientists study important societal trends, including rising distrust in traditional democratic institutions and a turn towards authoritarianism; an increase in nationalist movements and a peak in globalizing forces; and changes to public discourse and debate in the internet age, often referred to as a post-truth and post-rational era. Political scientists study a diverse and often complex range of issues, from climate change and energy transitions to global terrorism, international and local inequality and pandemics. As a political science major, you learn to understand and assess the power dynamics and interests shaping important global issues. You develop independent analytical thinking and communication skills while acquiring foundational knowledge that is necessary to conduct intelligent political analysis. Guided by dedicated faculty and supported by experiential learning opportunities, you leave the program prepared for a career in law, diplomacy, public policy, non-governmental sector management, journalism and more. Show less

As a first-year student, your learning is primarily instructor directed and focuses on understanding the nature of politics and government. You learn about the concepts, theories, systems and actors that are crucial to the discipline of political science, and you develop the capacity to reflect on the broader relationship between the individual, the state and society. In these foundational courses, you begin to sharpen your critical thinking, research and communication skills.

In the second year of the program, you are introduced to the sub-fields of political science: international relations, comparative politics, Canadian government, political philosophy and public policy and administration. You take part in debates, discussions and team-oriented academic activities, learning to make arguments and to express your ideas clearly to a wide range of audiences.

In your third year and fourth year, you play a more active role in your learning through dynamic classes that use a question-and-answer approach to learning. You develop more in-depth knowledge within each of the sub-fields. Seminar classes are optional in the third year, but are a key facet of fourth-year courses. In your final year, you undertake major independent research under the guidance of a supervisor. At this level, you should be comfortable with in-class presentations and demonstrate a sharp understanding of the major theories and issues for higher-level political science courses.

By the end of the program, you understand that politics is about more than just political leaders, parties and elections. It is a discipline that helps explain how society interacts and governs itself and can help explain individual and group dynamics. You are able to raise the level of public debate and discourse in our democracy beyond what exists in the media and delivered by politicians.

Specific Major Requirements
POLS 101 Introduction to Politics 3
POLS 200 Comparative Political Systems 3
POLS 214 History of Political Thought I 3
POLS 215 History of Political Thought II 3
POLS 224 Canadian National Government I 3
POLS 225 Canadian National Government II 3
POLS 244 Introduction to Policy Studies 3
POLS 264 Introduction to Global Politics 3
POLS 389 Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods 3
or POLS 399 Empirical Research Methods in Political Science
POLS 490 Advanced Study in Political Science 3

General Major Requirements
Choose 12 to 30 credits from junior-or senior-level POLS with a minimum of 15 POLS credits at the 300-level or 400-level including a minimum of three credits at the 400-level. 12-30

Secondary Major or Minor(s)
Students have the option of completing a second Arts major, or one or two minors. Minor courses must be completed at the senior-level. 18-60

Options
Students can complete up to 15 credits in out-of-faculty options, with no more than 3 credits in physical activity (PACT) courses. 0-60

Total Credits 120

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You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

How to book:

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it

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