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Bachelor of Arts - Political Studies

• B.A. Four-year
• B.A. Three-year
• B.A. Honours
• Double Honours Programs

In these times of rapid change, where lives are shaped by international forces and new social norms, the Department of Political Studies prepares students for exciting governance careers in a global era. Faculty and students conduct research on how governing institutions and processes—both in Canada and worldwide—are affected by major global forces such as race, culture, democratization, ideologies, terrorism and the aspirations of Indigenous peoples. If you want to learn more about how culture and values shape government functions and, basically, how societies work, our department and many renowned professors will help you achieve your academic and career goals.

• The Political Studies program has a reputation of being among the best medium-size programs in Canada. Because the Department is small in comparison to other political science departments in Canada, there is closer contact between students and faculty in course and thesis work.
• Roy Romanow, former Royal Commissioner on the Future of Health Care in Canada, and former Premier of Saskatchewan, is a Senior Fellow in Public Policy in Political Studies where he teaches and shares with students his extensive insights on various aspects of governance, including public administration, public policy and public management.
• Political Studies works with the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina in delivering the Legislative Internship Program. Senior and graduating Political Studies students may apply for this program, in which they have an opportunity to work as assistants for individual members of the Legislative Assembly.
• Students may also apply to similar internship programs within other jurisdictions or national or international organizations; information on these programs is available at the University.
• The Career Internship Program, which places students with organizations and businesses in Saskatoon, allows students to gain practical skills and experience in a workplace setting while receiving academic credit by completing projects relevant to various potential career options.
• The Department of Political Studies offers an exciting Master's degree program that, unlike many other political science graduate programs, is one year in length.

• POLS 226: Canadian Public Policy
  An introduction to the basic conceptual frameworks for describing and analyzing the nature, determinants, and effects of public policy within the Canadian political system at the national and sub-national levels. Special attention is devoted to the fundamental nature of policies such as health, education, welfare, family, immigration, intercultural relations, language, environmental, and Aboriginal, as well as other policies of interest and importance at the time the course is offered.
• POLS 346: Topics in Governance of the Developing World
  An analysis of governance in the developing world, focussing on topics such as leadership, democratization, ethnicity and women, and institution-building.
• POLS 462: Ethical Issues in International Relations
  An examination of specific issues in contemporary international politics about which difficult ethical choices have been made or about which there is ethical controversy, including international intervention, threatened use of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, sanctions, and promotion of international human rights.

• Politician
• Political Aide
• Mediator
• Lobbyist
• Legislative Aide
• Activist
• Immigration Officer
• Legal Secretary
• Paralegal
• Public Opinion Analyst
• Public Affair Reporter

• Collecting, analyzing and interpreting data
• Communication skills: written and/or oral
• Critical and analytical thinking
• Decision-making skills
• Organizational / Planning skills
• Personal management/Motivational skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Research skills and methods
• Resolving conflicts
• Teamwork/Interpersonal skills