Why Politics Matters: Themes and Debates
Political Science · 3 hrs Lecture
Offered: Every Year
The calendar doesn't say which term this runs in. The sections below show the terms it actually runs in this year.
No prerequisites listed, you can take this course without prior coursework.
Where POL-1020 counts
Counts toward 3 more as one option among several, not as a course you must take:
Read from the departments' own calendar pages, where 50 of 208 programs are only partly machine-readable, so treat these as a minimum rather than the full list. Confirm with an academic advisor.
Description
This course introduces students to various theories and debates of political analysis. The course discusses political power and how it is exercised. Comparisons across liberal democracies provide insights into the strengths of political processes regarding citizen engagement, government decision-making, political participation and state-society relations. The course concludes by analysing the process of change in a political system either through formal, representative institutions, such as political parties and legislatures, or through the collective action of social and political organizations. Maximum 6 credit hours of Political Science at the 1000 level may be used for degree credit.
From the 2026-27 undergraduate calendar. Always verify details on WebAdvisor or with an academic advisor before registering.