A degree in Political Science prepares students for jobs in rewarding career areas

Political Studies (BA)

  • Program Length 
    4 Years
  • Credential 
    Bachelor Degree
  • Options 
    Major, Minor
  • Fully Available at 
    Nanaimo
  • Partially Available at 
    Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)

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.

The Political Science (BA) Program

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).

VIU offers undergraduates the option of studying Political Studies as a Major or as a Minor in a 4–year Bachelor of Arts degree program. The B.A. Minor and Major in Political Studies are designed around four fields of political inquiry that together represent a core range of the discipline: international relations, comparative politics, political theory, and Canadian politics. Students are exposed to a representative range of this core in their choice of lower level courses, but are then given the opportunity to more freely choose field specializations in their choice of upper level courses.

The B.A. Minor and Major in Political Studies at VIU also provide students the opportunity to complement their degree in Political Studies with a select number of courses in other disciplines. This interdisciplinary element of the B.A. in Political Studies enriches the study of politics and gives students the option of completing a Minor or joint Major in a related field of study.

Requirements for a Major

Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:

Years 1 and 2

Credits

Select eighteen credits of 100-200 level POLI courses as follows:

First-year Core Requirements:

Select three credits from the following list:
POLI 100 - (An Introduction to Power, Politics and the Public Interest) or, 
POLI 151 - (Law and Politics in Canada)

3

Second-year Core Requirements*:

Select at least nine credits from the following list: 
POLI 200* - (The Politics of War and Peace) or,
POLI 201* - (An Introduction to International Political Economy)
POLI 221 - (Canadian Politics and Government) or,
POLI 222 - (Governance and Public Policy in Canada)
POLI 231 - (Comparative Politics) 
POLI 260 - (Justice and the Good Life: an Introduction to Political Thought) or,
POLI 265 - (Freedom and Authority: Introduction to Modern Political Thought)

9

Methods Course Requirement**:

Select three credits from the following list:
SOCI 250 - (Introduction to Social Research) or, 
SSID 250 - (Introduction to Social Research) or,
CRIM 220 - (Research Methods in Criminology)

3

Select six additional credits of 100-200 level POLI courses or PHIL 231 - (Social and Political Philosophy).

6

* Students may take both POLI 200 and POLI 201, but only one can be used to meet the Second Year Core requirement.

* Students may take both POLI 221 and POLI 222, but only one can be used to meet the Second Year Core requirement.

* Students may take both POLI 260 and POLI 265, but only one can be used to meet the Second Year Core requirement.

** The prerequisite for SOCI 250 is SOCI 111 or SOCI 112 (recommended); or any 100-level course in Psychology, Geography, Anthropology, Criminology, or Political Studies; the prerequisite for SSID 250 is any 100-level course in Psychology, Geography, Anthropology, Sociology, Criminology, or Political Studies; the prerequisite for CRIM 220 is CRIM 101.

Years 3 and 4

Credits

Select thirty* credits of 300-400 level POLI courses.

30

* Up to nine of the required thirty minimum credits may be taken from courses in other departments. Please check the departmental website or with the department chair for a current list of courses, or check with the department chair to determine other suitable courses within these areas.

Note: These credits may not be used for more than one Major or Minor. 
Note: Not all Political Studies courses are offered every year. Students are advised to see a BA Advisor early in their program to ensure timely completion. 
Note: Students who completed FNAT 220, FNAT 223, FNAT 350, FNAT 425, or FNAT 450 prior to May 2013 and who have not graduated may still apply these credits toward the completion of their Political Studies Major.

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

Credits

Select fifteen credits of 100-200 level POLI courses as follows:

First-year Core Requirements:

Select three credits from the following list:
POLI 100 - (An Introduction to Power, Politics and the Public Interest) or, 
POLI 151 - (Law and Politics in Canada)

3

Second-year Core Requirements:

Select three credits from the following list: 
POLI 200 - (The Politics of War and Peace)
POLI 201 - (An Introduction to International Political Economy)
POLI 221 - (Canadian Politics and Government)
POLI 222 - (Governance and Public Policy in Canada)
POLI 231 - (Comparative Politics) 
POLI 260 - (Justice and the Good Life: an Introduction to Political Thought)
POLI 265 - (Freedom and Authority: Introduction to Modern Political Thought)

3

Select nine credits of 100-200 level POLI courses.

9

 

Years 3 and 4

Credits

Select eighteen* credits of 300-400 level POLI courses.

18

* Up to six of the required eighteen minimum credits may be taken from courses in other departments. Please check the departmental website or with the department chair for a current list of courses, or check with the department chair to determine other suitable courses within these areas.

Note: These credits may not be used for more than one Major or Minor. 
Note: Not all Political Studies courses are offered every year. Students are advised to see a BA Advisor early in their program to ensure timely completion. 
Note: Students who completed FNAT 220, FNAT 223, FNAT 350, FNAT 425, or FNAT 450 prior to May 2013 and who have not graduated may still apply these credits toward the completion of their Political Studies Minor.

 

Domestic Fees | International Fees

Domestic Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees for One Year*

Amount

Tuition (30 credits x $163.14 per credit)

4,894.20

Student Activity fee (4% of tuition)

195.77

Student Services fee (30 credits x $7.21 per credit)

216.30

VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $26.59 per month)

212.72

Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year)

265.00

Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year

1,500.00

Total

7,283.99
Notes

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

International Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees for One Year*

Amount

Tuition (2 semesters x $10870.72 per semester)

21,741.44

Ancillary Fee (2 semesters x $463.40 per semester)

926.80

VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $26.59 per month)

212.72

Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year)

265.00

Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year

1,500.00

Total

24,645.96
Notes

Tuition in the above table is based on $776.48 per credit, up to a maximum of $10,870.72 per semester for 15 credits; $776.48 per credit beyond 15 credits. Ancillary Fees in the above table are based on $33.10 per credit, up to a maximum of $463.40 per semester for 15 credits; $33.10 per credit beyond 15 credits.

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

Updated
Monday, April 3, 2023

Domestic (Canadian)

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Location
Next Intake(s)

The Bachelor of Arts program has one intake each Fall and one intake each Spring.

Application Fee
$44.27
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Erica Ellenchuk
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Next Intake(s)

The Bachelor of Arts program has one intake each Fall and one intake each Spring.

Application Fee
$44.27
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Erica Ellenchuk
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Application Fee
$44.27
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Waitlist
No
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Erin Johnson
Phone: 604.485.8033
Email: Erin.Johnson@viu.ca

Comments

Please consult Student Services/Advising at 604-485-2878 or email PR.StudentAffairs@viu.ca for more information on program or admission requirements.

International

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Location
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Sep 5, 2023
Next Intake(s)

The Bachelor of Arts program has one intake each Fall and one intake each Spring.

Accepting International Applications
Yes
Application Fee
$150.00
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Waitlist
No
Testing Required
No
International Admissions Officer Contact

Name: Elham Akhoundi
Email: Study@viu.ca

Comments

For prospective international applicants, please send your inquiries to World VIU at WorldVIU@viu.ca.
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Jan 8, 2024
Next Intake(s)

The Bachelor of Arts program has one intake each Fall and one intake each Spring.

Accepting International Applications
Yes
Application Fee
$150.00
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Waitlist
No
Testing Required
No
International Admissions Officer Contact

Name: Elham Akhoundi
Email: Study@viu.ca

Comments

For prospective international applicants, please send your inquiries to World VIU at WorldVIU@viu.ca.

Further information on this program can be found on the Department website.


Previous versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive.

Renatta Piros

“In POLI 320 (American Foreign Policy), Professor Mark Williams had us partake in a variety of live simulations of American foreign policy situations. Role-playing as different American political figures and representatives definitely put me outside my comfort zone, but it has made me a stronger public speaker. Mark William's simulations greatly impacted my learning experience at VIU.”