Department of Political Science

Welcome to the Department of Political Science

 

Political Science is the study of power, authority and governance in human affairs. Political scientists examine the social, economic, cultural, historical, geographical and other forces that generate conflicts both within and among societies. We analyze the institutional and ideological forms through which such conflicts achieve resolution.

From the deployment of military weapons and the flows of global finance to the most intimate practices of daily life, power and claims to legitimate authority are an inescapable part of human existence.

Political scientists have developed a wide range of theoretical perspectives and techniques to try to understand these processes. We are interested in the workings of large structures like the modern state and the international system, and in the more obvious struggles for power among political parties and politicians. We are also interested in the detailed practices of social movements or the mass media, and the less obvious forms of power expressed in claims about knowledge, culture or gender.

We study constitutions, parliaments, parties, electoral systems, and the formation of public policies, in Canada and elsewhere. We examine historically influential doctrines like liberalism, Marxism, and nationalism, and emerging commitments to environmentalism, feminism, international human rights, and local democracy.

Some techniques focus on detailed knowledge of specific jurisdictions, while others stress the need to compare across societies or to look at the broad global forces that constrain local initiatives. We research theoretical principles that go back to philosophers like Aristotle, Hobbes or Rousseau, and we work with contemporary theories and methods drawn from across the social sciences and humanities.

In today's world, forms of power, authority and governance are changing rapidly and require not only understanding but also informed intervention to reduce the levels of violence and injustice that are so prevalent.

The Department of Political Science at the University of Victoria offers a range of courses at undergraduate and graduate levels on all of these subjects. The faculty and staff of the Department are committed to providing students with a world-class learning experience in a supportive and inclusive environment.

 

The September 2011 issue of the Political Science Department newsletter is now available

You can find the September issue of the Political Science Department newsletter here: Where Politics Are Happening

Latest news

  • Christopher Parsons, Political Science-Students/Alumni
  • Condolences-January 26
  • Dr. Janni Aragon, Political Science-Broadcast news
  • Dr. Janni Aragon, Political Science-Saanich students get lessons from 'human books'
  • Norman Ruff, Political Science-Deeply damaged in West, Liberals seek rebirth
  • Political Science January 19th "The City Talks" Presents: Dr. Roger Keil, Governing the City Without: The Challenge of Global Suburbanism The Legacy Art Gallery, 630 Yates St.
  • Political Science January 17th “Tuesday Talks” Series Presents a Special Seminar with 2012 Political Science Lansdowne Speaker Dr. Roger Keil
  • Christopher Parsons, Political Science-On CBC's All Points West
  • Norman Ruff, Political Science-Cultural divide: a tale of two provinces
  • Georgina Nicholl MA Defense Friday, January 6th, 2012
  • Christopher Parsons, Political Science-Coming up next week...
  • Dr. Emmett Macfarlane, Political Science-The national securities regulator and judicial Stockholm Syndrome
  • Dr. Norman Ruff, Political Science-'Politicization' of senior BC bureaucracy decried
  • Georgina Nicholl MA Defense Friday, January 6th, 2012
  • Léa Gamache MA Defense Monday, December 19th, 2011
  • Jaimie Smith-Windsor MA Defense Thursday, December 15th, 2011
  • Dr. Norman Ruff, Political Science-Clarke tells voters she's no Clark
  • Dr. Colin Bennett, Christopher Parsons,Political Science-The Globe and Mail
  • Carly Lewis MA Defense Wednesday, December 7th, 2011
  • Emmett Macfarlane, Political Science-Opinion: A confused judicial treatise on polygamy
  • Mohammad Al Abdallah, Syrian Human Rights activist / Writer/ Translator-Informal lecture December 1st, 2011
  • Dr. Colin Bennett, Political Science-Ryerson looking at switch to gmail
  • Dr. Amy Verdun, Political Science-Debt crisis casts shadow
  • Dr. Kim Speers, Political Science-Broadcast News
  • Dr. Norman Ruff, Political Science-Vision now in 'position of strength'
  • Dr. Warren Magnusson, Political Science-UVic in the News
  • Dr. Norman Ruff, Political Science-Experts say city's push for injunction is smooth move
  • Dr. Janni Aragon, Political Science-Boosting voter interest
  • Parliamentary Information and Research Service Internship Program, September 2012 – August 2013
  • 'Tuesday Talks' Series: Dr. Jeff Corntassel Nov. 22, 2011, Dr Bahar Rumellili Dec. 6th 2011
  • Emmett Macfarlane, Political Science- A more cautious Supreme Court
  • Occupy Victoria: Seeing Like A City
  • International Education Week 2011 and Beyond
  • Science Teaching Assistant Positions – January 2012
  • The Department of Political Science at the University of Victoria seeks Sessional Instructors for Summer term 2012.
  • Dr. Janni Aragon, Political Science-Dean Fortin’s use of city logo on website raises questions
  • Dr. Janni Aragon, Political Science-'Sensible resolution' needed, mayor says
  • Dr. Norman Ruff, Political Science-Occupy Vancouver heading for showdown with mayor
  • Upcoming Political Science Events

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