COURSE CURRICULUM

The three-year Bachelor of Arts Community Studies (BACS) in Political Science at Cape Breton University is designed to combine the study of politics with community-focused learning and applied social analysis. In the first year, students take introductory political science courses along with core community studies and general arts electives, focusing on foundational concepts such as government systems, political theory, and basic analytical and communication skills. In the second year, students move into core subject areas including Canadian politics, comparative politics, international relations, public policy, public administration, and political theory, while also connecting these topics to community issues and real-world social contexts. In the third year, the curriculum becomes more advanced and applied, with courses in Canadian law, international law, social justice, political philosophy, and research methods, along with opportunities for seminar-based learning and experiential or community-engaged projects. Across all three years, students develop strong skills in critical thinking, research, writing, and policy analysis, while gaining an understanding of how political systems shape society at local, national, and global levels. The flexible BACS structure also allows electives from other disciplines such as sociology, history, philosophy, and communication, preparing graduates for careers in public service, government, policy analysis, law, journalism, international organizations, and community development.