About

Political Studies examines the use and abuse of power in societal struggles for justice, equality, freedom, and the common good. It deals with issues, at the local, national and international levels, relating to government and governance, authority and legitimacy, equity and resource distribution, rights and responsibilities, and peace and conflict.


Quick facts
  • Three or four year degree
  • Full or part-time program
  • You can enter this program directly from high school
  • You can begin this program off-campus

What you will learn

You will learn about the forces and factors that influence the process of political decision-making, including ideologies, political parties, political leadership, civil society, elections, and the media. You will also gain an understanding about threats to global stability including poverty, environmental degradation, human rights violations, and migration and refugees, amongst other topics of contemporary national and international significance.

A first-year schedule sample

This degree program is flexible and offers you the opportunity to take courses in many different subject areas. Here’s what a typical first-year schedule might look like:

Course Description

Fall Term
POLS 111a Democratic Citizenship in Canada
MATH 101b Quantitative Reasoning
HIST 185c History Matters Conflict Law Politics and the State
FREN 103 or FREN 122c Beginning French I or Intermediate French I
SOC 111c Foundations in Sociology Social Construction of Everyday Life

Winter Term
POLS 112a Justice and Injustice in Politics and Law
ENG 112c Literature and Composition Reading Drama
GEOG 125c Environmental Science and Society
PHIL 121c Introduction to World Philosophies
IS 110a,c Global Issues

a Required or eligible course for the major
b One of the course options to complete the Quantitative Reasoning Requirement
c One of the course options which may be used in the Breadth, Cognate, and/or Electives Requirements

The Course and Program Catalogue has the complete and official listing of required classes and their descriptions for this program.

POLS 221: Global Indigenous Politics
What does it mean to be Indigenous? In what ways are Indigenous politics similar and different in the Global North and Global South? Which political issues dominate the landscape of contemporary Global Indigenous politics? While the course examines contemporary Indigenous politics in Canada, it privileges a more global and comparative perspective to explore the connections between the Global South (e.g. Africa, Asia, Latin America) and Global North (e.g. Australia, Europe, United States). More specifically, the course is organized around key sections which consider the following: the contentious politics of defining Indigeneity, the diverse historical experiences of Indigenous peoples, the politics around land and natural resources, and global challenges around Indigenous peoples' struggles in the areas of cultural survival and human rights. The course concludes by using a case study approach to consider the above issues in greater detail in select political contexts across Africa, Latin America, North America and Oceania.

POLS 364: International Terrorism
Examines the goals, strategies and actions of international terrorist groups, the efforts of governments to combat terrorism, and the effect of international terrorism on contemporary international relations. Special attention is given to philosophies of violence and to ethical issues surrounding terrorist and counter-terrorist actions.

POLS 460: Ethics and Global Politics
An examination of the ideas and debates that inform international ethical thought, including Realism, Marxism, Feminism and Liberalism, among others, followed by consideration of contemporary international politics about which difficult ethical choices have been made or about which there is ethical controversy, including international intervention, threatened use of weapons of mass destruction, sanctions, promotion of international human rights, human trafficking, and child labour, amongst others.

Reputation
The Political Studies program has a reputation of being among the best medium-size programs in Canada in its field. Because the department is smaller in comparison to other political science departments in Canada, there is closer contact between students and faculty in course and thesis work.

Faculty
Faculty in the Department are well-known to the local, provincial and national media as experts in their fields, providing analysis on national and international issues of various kinds on a regular basis. They have also distinguished themselves as leaders and members of Royal Commissions, task forces and other public bodies, and as expert witnesses providing testimony to committees of the House of Commons and Senate and of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly.

Study or work abroad opportunities
The Department of Political Studies has exchange programs with both foreign and Canadian universities. Presently, programs exist with Chernivtsi State University in Ukraine and with the Universities of Marburg, Oldenburg, Greifswald and Rostock in Germany.

You also have the opportunity, by registering for POLS 398, to study the politics of the European Union in Brussels, Belgium for two weeks with a University of Saskatchewan professor and other students.

Opportunities also exist with the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars which is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and which provides students and professionals with placement options mainly in Washington, D.C. and in selected cities abroad.

Careers

Some career opportunities include:

  • Politician
  • Political aide
  • Mediator
  • Lobbyist
  • Legislative aide
  • International aid worker
  • Immigration officer
  • Political Risk Assessment Analyst
  • Foreign service officer
  • Public opinion analyst
  • Public affairs correspondent 

Tuition estimates

Canadian students International students
Tuition $7,257 $30,480
Student fees $1,089 $1,089
Books $1,500 $1,500
Total $9,846 $33,069

Tuition will vary depending on the type and number of classes you take in a year. This estimate reflects a typical amount you could expect to pay in your first year if you enroll in a full course load, the maximum number of courses allowed (2023-2024 Canadian dollar rates).
Student fees are used to fund specific student benefits, including health, vision and dental coverage, a bus pass, recreational programs and fitness centre access.
The cost of books and supplies varies widely depending on the courses you choose. It is recommended that you budget between $1,500-$2,500 per year.

Program options

These Bachelor of Arts (B.A) Political Studies degrees are offered by the University of Saskatchewan's College of Arts and Science:

You should consult with an academic advisor in the college when you begin your studies to decide if you want a four-year, three-year or honours degree.

Admission requirements and deadlines

Deadlines

Start term Application DeadlineInternational Deadline
Winter
January 2024
Dec 1, 2023
Documents due: Dec 15, 2023
Sep 1, 2023
Documents due: Oct 1, 2023
Spring
May 2024
Apr 1, 2024
Documents due: May 1, 2024
Feb 1, 2024
Documents due: Mar 1, 2024
Summer
July 2024
May 1, 2024
Documents due: Jun 1, 2024
Mar 1, 2024
Documents due: Apr 1, 2024
Fall
September 2024
Aug 15, 2024
Documents due: Aug 15, 2024
May 1, 2024
Documents due: Jun 1, 2024
Winter
January 2025
Dec 1, 2024
Documents due: Dec 15, 2024
Sep 1, 2024
Documents due: Oct 1, 2024

Ready to apply?

A non-refundable application fee of $90 CAD is required before your application will be processed.

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