COURSE CURRICULUM

The Political Science MA program offers two streams: the Thesis Stream and the Major Research Paper Stream. In the Thesis Stream, students complete core courses including POLI 5P80 (Great Works in Politics) and POLI 5P81 (Research and Research Methods), along with a 0.5 POLI credit course numbered between 5P01 and 5P86. Additionally, students participate in graduate seminars tailored to their specialization, such as Canadian Politics (POLI 5P82), Political Theory (POLI 5P83), Public Policy (POLI 5P84), Comparative Politics (POLI 5P85), or International Relations (POLI 5P86). The program culminates in the POLI 5F99 thesis, allowing students to conduct original research under supervision. The Major Research Paper Stream similarly requires POLI 5P80 and POLI 5P81 but includes a larger coursework component of 1.5 POLI credits, drawn from graduate seminars in the same specialization areas and an additional 0.5 POLI credit course. Instead of a thesis, students complete POLI 5F90, the MA Major Research Paper, which integrates research and analytical skills in a substantial written project. Both streams provide rigorous training in political science research and theory, preparing students to contribute thoughtfully to academic and professional fields. The choice between thesis and research paper allows students to tailor their graduate experience according to their career goals and research interests.