Political Science (Thesis) (M.A.) (45 credits)
Offered by: Political Science (Faculty of Arts)
Degree: Master of Arts
Program credit weight: 45
Program Description
The M.A. program is generally recognized as among the most demanding and rewarding in Canada. Students take courses in two or more sub-fields of political science. The focus of the program is to provide training in the discipline of political science and prepare students for further graduate work. Students need to demonstrate an ability to design and execute with competence a major piece of research, comparable to a full‐length article in a scholarly journal.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Thesis Courses (24 credits)
A thesis is required to demonstrate proficiency in research. It is normally about 100 pages long and is subject to evaluation by one examiner internal to the Department and one examiner external to the Department.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLI 697 | M.A. Thesis Proposal. | 12 |
M.A. Thesis Proposal. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Preparatory work towards the Master's research project. | ||
| POLI 698 | Master's Thesis Submission. | 12 |
Master's Thesis Submission. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A thesis to demonstrate proficiency in research. The thesis is normally about 100 pages long, and is subject to evaluation by one examiner internal to the Department and one examiner external to the Department. | ||
Required Course (3 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLI 694 | Research Preparation 1. | 3 |
Research Preparation 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Preparatory work towards the Master's research project, or the Master's thesis. | ||
Complementary Courses (18 credits)
- 12-15 credits of 500- or 600-level courses as determined by the student's area of study.
- 3-6 credits, either of the following 3-credit options or, preferably, both:
- or a more suitable advanced course at the 500 level or higher.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLI 612 | Research Methods in Political Science. | 3 |
Research Methods in Political Science. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This seminar offers an overview of the fundamental principles of political science research. Emphasis is placed on acquainting students with the methods and techniques most commonly used by political scientists. Topics include research project design, procedures for carrying out research, as well as both qualitatively- and quantitatively-oriented methods of data collection, processing, and analysis. | ||
- or, one of the following courses:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLI 561 | Seminar: Political Theory. | 3 |
Seminar: Political Theory. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A topic in political philosophy such as democracy, liberty, property or nationalism, or a political philosopher, is studied to enable students to research a topic in depth, to present their papers to the seminar, and to engage in and profit from discussion and debate. | ||
| POLI 613 | Selected Themes: Political Theory. | 3 |
Selected Themes: Political Theory. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A seminar on a theme in contemporary political theory or in the history of political theory. | ||
| POLI 614 | Proseminar in Political Theory. | 3 |
Proseminar in Political Theory. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A broad survey of major works in the history of political thought, mostly or entirely drawn from the reading list for the Ph.D. comprehensive exam in political theory. | ||
| POLI 616 | Modern Political Analysis. | 3 |
Modern Political Analysis. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to the concepts underlying modern approaches to the study of politics. The scope of the discipline will be delineated and the foundations of empirical research, including the philosophy and methodology of science especially as these apply to social science, will be considered. Various alternatives and critiques will be presented and evaluated. | ||
| POLI 617 | Problems in Political Theory. | 3 |
Problems in Political Theory. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An introduction to central normative issues in the study of politics. The seminar consists of lectures, oral presentations, discussion and research papers. | ||
Of the 18 credits of complementary courses, up to 3 credits at the 500 level or higher may be outside the Department.
Candidates for the M.A. degree follow an individual program approved by the Department.