North American Politics
Border, Tijuana, CA, USA
The study of North American Politics explores the evolving relationships among three countries of the North American region: Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Students investigate the political, social, economic, and cultural processes that define the North American region, the similarities and differences between the three countries, and how they relate to each other. The courses in this concentration introduce students to Indigenous peoples and politics in North America; debates about trade, the environment, defence and border control; comparative public policies and other vital issues.
In their second year of the program, students in this concentration earn 0.5 credit in:
PSCI 2200 [0.5 credit]: Introduction to U.S. Politics
An examination of several important aspects of the U.S. political system, including separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism.
And 0.5 credit in one of:
PSCI 2002 [0.5 credit]: Canadian Politics and Civil Society
An examination of the cultural, social, and economic context of Canadian politics, including interest groups and social movements, regionalism, language, ethnicity, and gender.
PSCI 2003 [0.5 credit]: Canadian Political Institutions
An examination of Canadian political institutions, including federalism, Parliament, the constitution, political parties and the electoral system.
In addition, in their third and fourth year of their program, students are required to earn 0.5 credit in each of US Politics, Canadian Politics, and Mexican or Latin American Politics, and 1.0 credit in North American Politics.
Courses in US Politics may include:
PSCI 3108 – Politics of Popular Culture
PSCI 3200 – U.S. Constitutional Politics
PSCI 3210 – Electoral Politics in the U.S.
PSCI 4606 – American Foreign Policy
Courses in Canadian Politics may include:
PSCI 3000 – Canadian Provincial Politics
PSCI 3004 – Political Parties and Elections in Canada
PSCI 3402 – Canadian Public Policy
PSCI 4006 – Legislatures and Representation in Canada
Courses in Mexican or Latin American Politics may include:
PSCI 3205 – Mexican Politics
PSCI 3204 – Politics of Latin America
Courses in North American Politics may include:
PSCI 3607 – North American Security and Defence Policy
PSCI 4206 – Indigenous Politics of North America
PSCI 4403 – Reproductive Rights Policy in North America
For the full list of course options in North American Politics, and the specific degree requirements for your program, consult the Undergraduate Calendar. Please note that not all courses in this list are offered each year.