Political Science
About Political Science
As a discipline, political science employs a diverse set of analytical tools and research methods to study an immense range of events, trends, patterns, and institutions. It both draws from and contributes to other fields in the social sciences and humanities, from economics and psychology to history and philosophy. Our department reflects the discipline’s diversity. Our faculty study and teach an array of subjects and take a wide variety of approaches – from advanced statistical methods to the interpretation of public art and symbols, from close reading of historical documents to conducting surveys and interviews. Our commitment, regardless of the subject studied or the methods used, is to academic excellence and fair-minded inquiry.
Our undergraduate programs in political science will expose you to exciting and difficult ideas and teach you research and writing methods that prepare you to explore and make sense of social and political life. Our graduates go on to careers in journalism, law, public opinion polling, market research, issue advocacy, academic research and teaching, and research and/or administration in government, international organizations, NGOs, and the private sector
We offer four academic programs, tailored to different levels of engagement and specialization: the Minor concentration, the Major concentration, the Joint Honours program, and the Honours program. Our courses fall into five areas, depending on their primary focus: Canadian Politics, Comparative Politics (regarding the domestic politics of different countries), International Relations (about relations among states, including international political economy), Political Theory, and Research Methods.
Political Science Program Requirements
You can easily track your progress through your program, without relying upon a Political Science advisor, using our Undergraduate Program Audit Forms (available here). If you want to consult a Political Science advisor to discuss any issues concerning your Political Science program or to confirm your progress, please complete your audit form before meeting with the advisor. To find the appropriate advisor for your program, refer to the current term’s Political Science Advising Schedule.
As course and personnel changes may have occurred after this publication was prepared, students should not use it to plan their program of studies without first consulting the Department office for updated information.
Location
Department of Political Science
Stephen Leacock Building, 4th Floor
855 Sherbrooke St. W.
Montréal, QC H3A 2T7
Website: mcgill.ca/politicalscience/undergrad