UBC Okanagan

Political Science

Major in Political Science

Note: The UBC Okanagan campus also offers a Major in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE).

The completion of a degree in Political Science has long been recognized as sound undergraduate preparation for careers in law, business, politics, social work, and public administration. The Major in Political Science is designed to produce a graduate with a solid understanding of the institutions of government, their relationship to politically active non-governmental organizations, the articulation and implementation of public policy, and the role of the informed citizen in a liberal democracy. Admission into the program requires an overall average of at least 70% in all courses attempted toward the B.A. degree.

First and Second Years

• B.A. requirements, including POLI 100, POLI 202, POLI 220, POLI 240, and one of POLI 221 or POLI 222.

Third and Fourth Years

Students must select a focus from the following four areas of study:

• Political Theory: POLI 354, 356, 358, 462;
• Canadian Studies: POLI 303, 363, 371, 402, 432; HIST 300, 301, 466, 467;
• International Relations: POLI 336, 362, 364, 366, 372, 377, 378, 382, 383, 433¹, 435, 464, 465, 472, 476; HIST 468¹, 469;
• Comparative Government: POLI 310, 311, 313, 314, 315, 317, 318, 319, 323, 334, 352.

Within these areas, the following requirements need to be met:

• at least 3 credits at the 300 or 400 level in each of these four areas;
• an additional 6 credits at the 300 or 400 level in one of the areas;
• completion of at least two 300 or 400 level Political Science seminar courses;
• 9 credits of any Political Science courses at the 300 or 400 level.

¹POLI 433 and HIST 468 are equivalent.

Minor in Political Science

To complete a Minor in Political Science, students must accumulate no fewer than 30 credits in Political Science out of the 120 credits required for the B.A. degree. At least 18 of these credits must be numbered 300 or above.