Program Curriculum

Program Curriculum

Political Science is a multi-faceted discipline covering many areas of specialization. While students can choose from a wide variety of first and second-year political science courses at Langara College, they will develop a common set of skills designed to enable them to gain an enriched appreciation of the complexity of political life, while developing an enhanced ability to think critically about the world in which we live. Political science courses at Langara are also intended to provide a preparation for subsequent courses at the senior undergraduate level which build and reinforce levels of experience gained at this stage.

Associate of Arts Degree in Political Science

CURRICULUM

Within the framework of the general requirements of the Associate of Arts Degree, students must complete a minimum of 60 credits including:

Courses Credits
Four of
POLI 1100 Introduction to Government and Politics
3

Lecture Hours: 2.0 | Seminar: 2.0 | Lab: 0.0

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the study of government and politics. It examines the major methods, approaches and issues in political science, as well as the primary components of government structure and the political process.

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POLI 1119 Canadian Politics and Government
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

This introductory course deals with the origins and structure of Canadian government and analyses the social and political forces which shape our current political system. Topics include Parliament, the PM and Cabinet, political parties, Quebec nationalism, and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

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POLI 1140 Introduction to International Relations
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

An introduction to the politics of world society, its historical development, the major forms of analysis of global political structures and foreign policies, and contemporary security problems.

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POLI 1145 Peace and Conflict in the Modern World
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

The history of war; causes and consequences of war; the nuclear threat; the relationship of the arms race to other global problems; arms control and disarmament; Canada's role.POLI 1145 is one of the core courses of the Diploma in Peace and Conflict Studies.

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POLI 1160 Contemporary Ideologies
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

An introduction to the major political ideologies of the 19th and 20th Centuries, including democracy, conservatism, liberalism, socialism, anarchism, communism, fascism and feminism.

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POLI 1195 Special Topics I
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

This number is reserved for political science courses that may be offered from time to time by: a) College political science faculty who may wish to present a course in their specialty which may be of limited interest; or b) visiting political science lecturers.Prerequisite(s): Will be announced in the Registration Guide and Course Schedule.

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POLI 1250 Politics in the Developing Nations
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

This course examines the political, social and economic forces at work in the "Third World," sometimes called the "developing" or "majority" world (e.g., Cuba, South Africa, Indonesia). The countries covered vary with the instructor.

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Two of
POLI 2209 Canadian Public Policy
3

Lecture Hours: 2.0 | Seminar: 2.0 | Lab: 0.0

An examination of how laws are developed and implemented in Canada. Topics will include general policy-making theory as well as the roles of the public, parliament, cabinet, and public service in policy development.Prerequisite(s): A minimum "C-" grade in POLI 1100, 1119, or 2250 (formerly 1150).

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POLI 2219 Canadian Public Administration
3

Lecture Hours: 2.0 | Seminar: 2.0 | Lab: 0.0

A study of the administration of government in Canada, including current social and political patterns in modern large-scale organizations, the organization of the Government of Canada and power of the bureaucracy. This course should be of particular interest to students planning to take Commerce.Prerequisite(s): A minimum "C-" grade in POLI 1100, 1119, or 2250 (formerly 1150).

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POLI 2229 Introduction to Urban Politics
3

Lecture Hours: 2.0 | Seminar: 2.0 | Lab: 0.0

A general introduction to Canadian local politics and government, with specific focus on Vancouver and the British Columbia case. Topics will include electoral systems, party politics, local pressure groups, the role of bureaucracy, regional government and the relationship of cities to provincial and federal administrations.Prerequisite(s): A minimum "C-" grade in POLI 1100, 1119, or 2250; or permission of the instructor.

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POLI 2239 Topics in Canadian Politics
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

This course will be offered from time to time. It will feature topics of current interest in Canadian politics. Prerequisite(s): A minimum "C-" grade in POLI 1119.

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POLI 2240 International Political Economy
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

An introduction to the elements of international political economics including trade, monetary issues, trans-national corporations, poverty, dependency, development, and the environment. Any previous Political Science or Economics course is helpful.

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POLI 2241 BC Politics & Government
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 0.0 | Lab: 0.0

This course examines the structure of government in British Columbia and the forces shaping politics in the province. Continuity and change in the political life of British Columbia is assessed by reference both to BC's political history since Confederation and to recent developments in BC politics. Topics include federal-provincial relations, BC's political economy, institutions of government, First Nations, parties and elections, media and interest groups, and selected public policy issues.Note: A previous political science course is recommended but not required.

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POLI 2245 Canadian International Relations
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

This general introduction to a variety of topics in Canadian international relations (defence concerns, foreign policy, and international economics) will use competing analyses to explain Canadian actions. Examples will include NATO, NORAD, US-Canada relations, peacekeeping, policy initiatives, the UN, WTO, NAFTA, and the role of Canadian civil society. Historical context and current concerns will be emphasized.Prerequisite(s): A minimum "C-" grade in POLI 1119, 1140, or 1145.

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POLI 2250 Comparative Politics: Western Liberal Democracies
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

A comparative analysis of the government and politics of selected western liberal democracies (e.g., the UK, France, Germany, the USA). The countries covered vary with the instructor.Students may only receive credit for one of POLI 1150 or 2250.

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POLI 2260 An Introduction to Democratic Socialism
3

Lecture Hours: 4.0 | Seminar: 0.0 | Lab: 0.0

A survey of socialism from the French Revolution to the present. Topics include: democracy, capitalism, Marxism, Leninism, anarchism, social democracy, globalization, and social ecology.Prerequisite(s): A minimum "C-" grade in PHIL 2226 or POLI 1160; or permission of the instructor.

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POLI 2265 Surveillance and Terror: The Politics of Totalitarianism
3

Lecture Hours: 4.0 | Seminar: 0.0 | Lab: 0.0

This course will introduce students to the main features of totalitarian forms of government, as these are articulated in political theory. The course will emphasize the differences between totalitarianism and authoritarianism and will explore the intersecting propaganda, surveillance, and terror systems employed by the totalitarian regimes.Prerequisite(s): A minimum "C-" grade in one of the following: POLI 1100, 1119, 1140, 1145, 1160, 1195, or 2270; or permission of the instructor.

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POLI 2270 Introduction to Western Political Thought
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

This course is designed as an introduction to the field of political theory through the study of the classic theorists of the western liberal political tradition.Prerequisite(s): Any university-transferable political science or philosophy course; or permission of the instructor.

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POLI 2275 Introduction to Western Feminist Social and Political Thought
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

Feminism is not a monolithic movement with a unified theoretical base. Feminism encompasses a variety of approaches, methodologies and political objectives. This course will situate feminist thought within the broader context of mainstream political theory, describing how feminists have contested traditional descriptions of political life, power, and citizenship. An emphasis will be placed on the social and political contexts within which feminist action has occurred and does occur.Prerequisite(s): A minimum "C-" grade in one of the following: POLI 1100, 1119, 1140, 1145, 1160, 1195, or 2270; or permission of the instructor.

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POLI 2280 The Human Condition
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

An interdisciplinary introduction to Political Science in the context of psychology, anthropology, philosophy, and history, among other perspectives, exploring questions about the human condition, power, and our relationship with nature.

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POLI 2295 Special Topics II
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

This number is reserved for political science courses that may be offered from time to time by: a) College political science Faculty who may wish to present a course in their specialty which may be of limited interest; or b) visiting political science lecturers.Prerequisite(s): Will be announced in the Registration Guide and Course Schedule.

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One of
ENGL 1100 Reading and Writing about Literature
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

ENGL 1100 is a writing-intensive introduction to the disciplines of literary studies. Students will examine three or four literary texts in their critical and scholarly contexts in regard to a single interdisciplinary topic and from the perspectives of at least three sub-disciplines of literary studies, such as narratology, historiography, psychoanalytic criticism, eco-criticism etc.Note: Students intending to pursue studies in the Faculty of Arts at the University of British Columbia should choose ENGL 1100. Students entering other faculties at UBC or planning to transfer to other institutions should take ENGL 1123, 1127, or 1128 instead of ENGL 1100.Prerequisite(s): One of the following: LET 4 (or LET 3 with a strong recommendation of concurrent registration in ENGL 1121); a minimum 70% in English First Peoples 12, English Studies 12, Literary Studies 12, or equivalent; a minimum "C" grade in ENGL 1120; an "S" grade in ENGL 1107, 1108, or 1110; or a minimum "C" grade in three credits of university-transferable English.

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ENGL 1123 Introduction to Academic Writing
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

Students read and analyze a variety of texts in order to develop techniques of research, critical thinking, close reading, and clear writing in an academic context. Course readings, which include a selection of scholarly articles, are drawn from at least three academic disciplines. By exploring and responding to a range of topics, students develop a foundation for post-secondary writing.Students will only receive credit for one of ENGL 1123, 1127, or 1128.Prerequisite(s): One of the following: LET 4 (or LET 3 with a strong recommendation of concurrent registration in ENGL 1121); a minimum 70% in English First Peoples 12, English Studies 12, Literary Studies 12, or equivalent; a minimum "C" grade in ENGL 1120; an "S" grade in ENGL 1107, 1108, or 1110; or a minimum "C" grade in three credits of university-transferable English.

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ENGL 1127 Essay Writing and Short Prose Selections
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

This course emphasizes the principles of composition through the study and writing of various kinds of essays, including the research essay. As a secondary aim, it encourages an appreciation of modern literature through a study of the short story.Students will receive credit for only one of ENGL 1123, 1126, 1127, or 1128.Prerequisite(s): One of the following: LET 4 (or LET 3 with a strong recommendation of concurrent registration in ENGL 1121); a minimum 70% in English First Peoples 12, English Studies 12, Literary Studies 12, or equivalent; a minimum "C" grade in ENGL 1120; or an "S" grade in ENGL 1107, 1108, or 1110.

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ENGL 1128 Short Prose Selections and Composition
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

ENGL 1128 introduces students to the principles of composition through the study of various kinds of essays, including the research essay. It also emphasizes an appreciation of modern prose writing through the study of both short stories and essays. Most writing assignments are related to the literature studied. Because this course is designed for students with superior writing skills, more intensive reading will be required. Students will receive credit for only one of ENGL 1123, 1127, or 1128.Students intending to pursue studies in the Faculty of Arts at the University of British Columbia should choose ENGL 1100.Prerequisite(s): One of the following: LET 5 (or LPI equivalent) or a minimum 85% in English First Peoples 12, English Studies 12 or Literary Studies 12, or equivalent.

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Three credits of
ENGL
3