Political Studies (BA)
VIU International, Canada
First Year Course Fee
USD 13,572
Course Accredited By
NA
If you are an engaged citizen, fascinated by the world of politics and how power is distributed, used and abused, a political sciences program is for you. In VIU’s degree in Political Science program, students address political theory, Canadian and global political issues, forms of governance and how politics relates to culture. In the Political Studies program, students graduate with an understanding of how to critique, assess and interpret political structures.
These skills carry over into future careers in law, government, social advocacy, journalism, public relations and non-profit organizations. VIU offers a Major in Political Science or a Minor in Political Science to students aiming for a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Politics can be understood as a community's deliberations about such fundamental matters as justice and injustice, freedom, human rights, democracy, law making, dispute settlement, governance and citizenship. Political Studies addresses critical questions such as: Who gets what, when, and how? Who can do what to whom? What is the point or objective of political action or inaction? The study of these questions and others provides students of Political Studies with a grasp of political issues and solutions at the domestic level and international level.
The civic and political life of Canadians is rapidly becoming more diverse and more global. Yet timeless political questions also lie below the changing surface. An awareness of what is possible and even desirable in the future depends upon familiarity with the history of political thought. New opportunities are opening to those who are equipped to meet the challenges of a changing Canada and a changing world. Political Studies helps students be a part of those new opportunities by providing them the intellectual tools needed to understand and analyze real world problems, conduct research, and be more informed citizens.
Political Studies prepares students for jobs in rewarding career areas such as public service in local, provincial or federal levels of government; international affairs; international organizations or non–governmental organizations; teaching; journalism; social research; and consultancy. A Bachelor of Arts, Major in Political Studies from VIU prepares students to pursue graduate degrees in Political Science (MA), International and Global Studies (MA), Public Policy and Administration (MPA), Business (MBA), interdisciplinary studies, or Law (LLB).
Enrollment Cycles
- September 2023
- January 2024
- Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English
Requirements for a Major
Years 1 and 2
First-year Core Requirements
Select three credits from the following list:
- Identities and Communities: An Introduction to Politics
- Law and Politics in Canada
Second-year Core Requirements
- Select at least nine credits from the following list:
- International Peace and Security
- An Introduction to International Political Economy
- Canadian Politics and Government
- Governance and Public Policy in Canada
- Comparative Politics
- Justice and the Good Life: an Introduction to Political Thought
- Freedom and Authority: Introduction to Modern Political Thought
Methods Course Requirement
Select three credits from the following list:
- Introduction to Social Research
- Introduction to Social Research
- Research Methods in Criminology
Years 3 and 4
- Select thirty credits of 300-400 level POLI courses.
Requirements for a Minor
- Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree
English Requirements and courses listed below:
Years 1 and 2
First-year Core Requirements:
Select three credits from the following list:
- Identities and Communities: An Introduction to Politics,
- Law and Politics in Canada
Second-year Core Requirements:
Select three credits from the following list:
- International Peace and Security
- An Introduction to International Political Economy
- Canadian Politics and Government
- Governance and Public Policy in Canada
- Comparative Politics
- Justice and the Good Life: an Introduction to Political Thought
- Freedom and Authority: Introduction to Modern Political Thought)
Methods Course Requirement:
Select three credits from the following list:
- Introduction to Social Research
- Introduction to Social Research
- Research Methods in Criminology
Years 3 and 4
- Select eighteen credits of 300-400 level POLI courses.
- Fees for One Year Amount Tuition (30 credits x $156.80 per credit) 4,704.00
- Student Activity fee (4% of tuition) 188.16
- Student Services fee (30 credits x $6.93 per credit) 207.90
- VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $20.90 per month) 167.20
- Health and Dental Plan fee ($275.00 per year) 275.00
- Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year 1,500.00
- Total 7,042.26