Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
As a discipline, Political Science is very much concerned with the study of power, authority, and governance in human affairs.
In today’s world, forms of power, authority, and governance are changing rapidly and becoming increasingly complex. Governance is no longer confined to the nation-state, but involves a range of institutions—public, private, and non-governmental—involved in the process of governing and steering a society at the international, national, and sub-national levels.
Program Learning Outcomes
As a result of completing this program, students should be able to
- exhibit generalist and specialist knowledge of the theories of political economy.
- critically access challenges that are transforming the public and corporate sectors as well as civil society.
- exhibit a working knowledge of local and global political and economic practices, policies and institutions.
- demonstrate an understanding of the dynamics and needs of a globalized and increasingly knowledge-based society and marketplace.
- compete successfully and confidently in world-class businesses.
- use effective leadership skills in government, the private sector or voluntary sector.
- demonstrate a developed knowledge base and acquired skills.
Program Goals
The general program goals are to
- make accessible to both beginning students and professionals in Canada , and globally, a high quality academic program designed to understand and engage with transformations in political economy at the level of the national Canadian state and the global community.
- provide both beginning students and professionals the opportunity to develop knowledge of global political and economic issues.
- provide students the opportunity to develop a greater appreciation and understanding of the world's polities, economies, cultures and regions.
- prepare students of Canadian studies for Canada's leadership role in North America and the global community.
- make accessible to professionals the retooling skills and an academic credential necessary for successful employment in an era of globalization.
Possible Career Options
- Research Specialist
- Analyst in foreign trade, business, the market or public finance
- Business Advisor
- Policy Co-ordinator
- Benefit Administrator
- Manager of not-for-profit organization
- Writer
- English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher
Possible Further Education Options
At Athabasca University
- Master of Arts – Integrated Studies (MAIS)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Distance Education (MDE)
- Advanced Graduate Diploma in Distance Education (Technology) (AGDDE[T])
- Master of Counselling (MC)
- Post-Graduate Certificate in Counselling
At Other Educational Institutions*
- graduate studies in political economy, political science, economics or other related/unrelated disciplines
- education: bachelor/master
- law
- police studies
- social work
- journalism
- teaching English as a second language (TESL)
* Entrance requirements vary among educational institutions. It is the students’ responsibility to research the entrance requirements of other educational institutions.
Athabasca University offers two degree programs in Political Science. View the online calendar for complete program regulations:
- a three year Bachelor of Arts with a Concentration in Political Science
- four year Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Political Science
Student and Academic Services - Last Updated October 27, 2008, 14:17:14 MST/MDT
