Joint Honours in Political Science

Political Science Honours students may opt to also fulfill the requirements for Honours in a second subject instead of declaring a Minor. This provides you with two areas of specialization.

Advantages

  • Strong knowledge of two subject areas
  • Like having two degrees
  • More opportunities for graduate school or jobs
  • Crossover between subjects
  • Can choose which subject to write the Honours Essay in
  • Get to know Political Science students and faculty better
  • Usually can complete in same timeframe as a single Honours
  • Can pursue an optional concentration in Canadian Government or Global Studies

Disadvantages

  • Possibility of an extra year of study beyond a Major
  • Less course selection
  • Less exposure to other subjects and instructors across the university
  • Less flexibility in creating timetable due to need to complete required courses
  • Need to sustain a higher academic performance

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences has a number of requirements to qualify for a Bachelor of Arts (Joint Honours), which are outlined in the University Calendar. As part of their non-Political Science electives, candidates may wish to consider courses with associated content offered by other departments, such as Economics, History, Philosophy, Sociology, or Women's Studies.

To graduate with a Joint Honours, a candidate must have an overall average of 70% or better, or 75% or better in both Honours programs' courses (excluding 1000-level courses). As well, 70% or better is required on the Honours Essay, which is completed for either Political Science or the other program. A student receiving 55% or less on any Political Science course at the 2000-level or higher is expected to seek advice from the Department at the start of the next semester to ensure that adequate progress is being maintained.

Students interested in a Joint Honours should formally declare before the end of their second year to ensure that appropriate course selections are made.

Joint Honours Requirements - Political Science
To obtain an Honours in Political Science and an Honours in another subject, students must complete the general requirements for the degree, and at least 51 credit hours (17 courses) in Political Science, as follows:

  • 1000 Introduction to Politics and Government
  • 1001 Critical Reading and Writing: Politics and Governance
  • 2100 Introduction to Political Theory
  • 2800 Introduction to Canadian Politics and Government
  • At least two of 2200 Introduction to International Politics, 2300 Introduction to Comparative Politics, 2600 Introduction to Public Policy and Administration
  • 3010 Empirical Methods in Political Science
  • At least one Political Science course numbered 32xx or 33xx
  • At least one Political Science course numbered 36xx or 38xx
  • At least two other Political Science courses at the 3000-level (can include Philosophy 3870 and 3890)
  • At least three Political Science courses at the 4000-level (can include Women's Studies 4005). This can include 4010 Honours Essay I and 4011 Honours Essay II (otherwise the student must complete the Honours Essay requirements in the other subject)
  • Three other Political Science courses (but no more than one of 1010 or 1020)

Note:
Honours candidates may opt to select courses that can be used towards a concentration in either Canadian Government or in Global Studies that, if completed, will be designated on their transcript.

Applying for Joint Honours
To apply for the Joint Honours program you will need the permission of the Head of the Department in both subject areas. In Political Science we will require that you complete an intake form prior to an interview with a faculty member. See the instructions for declaring on our Honours page.