Summer Course Descriptions

POL305H1F L0101: Introduction to Latin American Politics and Societies

This course offers students a critical introduction to the cultures and politics of Latin America. Our approach will be multi-disciplinary and will consider – among other themes and inquiries – the region's colonial legacy, 19th century caudillismo and republicanism, 20th century developmentalism, and the environmental, social, and economic challenges of the present. Students will also be introduced to a range of issues and debates from Latin American and North Atlantic social science, activist, and critical theory circles on the changing face of state sovereignty and regional integration, indigenous movements, populism, revolution, human rights and civil society, the legacies of (neo)colonialism, neoliberalism, and ‘21st century socialism.’

Prerequisites: 1.0 credit in POL/ JPA/ JPF/ JPI/ JPR/ JPS/ JRA courses
Exclusions: POL305Y1 or POL360H5 or POLC91H3 or POLC99H3

 

POL309H1 F L0101: Contemporary African Politics: Dynamics and Challenges

This course explores the main drivers of political organization and change in contemporary Africa, focusing on how national, regional, and international factors shape institutions, patterns of participation and political change. It considers major scholarly debates in the study of African politics and political economy and develops analytical skills for the comparative study of this diverse continent.

Format and Requirements: This is a lecture with a significant discussion segment.
Prerequisites:1.0 credit in POL/ JPA/ JPF/ JPI/ JPR/ JPS/ JRA courses
Exclusion: POL301Y1Y

 

POL314H1 S L0101: Public Opinion and Voting

The proposed course introduces students to the study of mass political behaviour, examining how people think, feel, and act in the political sphere. The course is structured into two main sections. In the first half, we will explore the nature of public opinion: what it is, why it matters, how it is measured, and whether it can change. This section also considers the social and psychological roots of voting. The second half shifts focus to proximate influences on political behaviour, such as the role of mass media, political elites, and campaigns.

Texts: (sample of the various readings during the semester)

• Zaller, John R. The nature and origins of mass opinion. Cambridge university press, 1992 [Chapter 2].
• Cochrane, C. (2015). Left and Right : The Small World of Political Ideas. McGill-Queen’s University Press, “The Rise of Left/Right in Canadian Politics” [Chapter 8]
• Mason, Lilliana. 2018. Uncivil Agreement: How Politics Became Our Identity. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press [Chapter 1, 3, 5]
• Blais, André, Elisabeth Gidengil, Patrick Fournier et Neil Nevitte. ( 2009).  Information, Visibility and Elections: Why Electoral Outcomes Differ When Voters Are Better Informed.. European Journal of Political Research 48 : 256–280
• Druckman, J. N., & McGrath, M. C. (2019). The evidence for motivated reasoning in climate change preference formation. Nature Climate Change, 9(2), 111-119

Format and Requirements: Hands-On Critique (15%); Midterm test (20%); Research proposal essay (30%); Final Exam (35%)

Prereqiuisites: POL222H1

Exclusion: POLC21H3

Recommended Preparation: POL232H1 or POL242Y5

 

POL317H1F L0101: Comparative Public Policy

This course serves as an introduction to public policy, with a focus on wealthy democracies. We will begin by looking at the questions that motivate many studies of policy: Who controls the actions of democratic states? Whose preferences are enacted? Why do policies differ across time and space? Why do they change? These questions cut to the heart of all democratic theories. They are also crucial to understanding your roles as a participant in a democratic society, whether as a voter, a policy-maker, a tax-payer, or a service user. We will then examine four clusters of policies. When we are finished, you will be able to describe policy variation on these issues. This description will enable you to analyze theories of policy formation, making a critical judgement about their explanatory power. Finally, you will also be able to communicate your description and analysis with others.

Format and Requirements: Participation, attendance, policy memoranda (2), and long essay.
Prerequisites: 1.0 credit in POL/ JPA/ JPF/ JPI/ JPR/ JPS/ JRA courses

 

POL321H1F L0101: Modern Political Thought: Progress Through History

This course address fundamental questions in the history of political theory, including whether modernity has helped move humanity closer to freedom and emancipation and to what extent the movement of history has led to forms of domination and exclusion. We consider these questions in the context of colonialism, capitalism, and the enduring legacy of slavery and ask to what extent claims to freedom and liberty are challenged by the existence of these forms of domination. This period of political theory is marked by considerations of individual liberty versus society and state, and the development of human rights and the role of government. These concepts find new voice in the distinctive and increasingly complex political and economic conditions characteristic of ‘modernity’. Sequel to POL320H1F

Texts: J. S. Mill. On Liberty; J. S. Mill Utilitarianism; G. W. F. Hegel Elements of the Philosophy of Right; Frederick Douglass Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass; Karl Marx Selected Writings; Max Weber The Vocation Lectures; Friedrich Nietzsche On The Genealogy of Morality; W. E. B. Du Bois The Souls of Black Folk.

Format and Requirements: Participation: 10%, Essay: 25%, Midterm: 35 %, Final Exam, 30%

Prerequisites: POL200Y1/ POL200Y5/( POLC70H3, POLC71H3)

 

POL326H1F L0101: The Politics of U.S. Foreign Policy

This course explores the making of foreign policy in the U.S. through a detailed examination of the institutions of the U.S. government involved, as well as the forces acting upon them to shape policy. After exploring theoretical approaches to the subject, it examines the evolution of the constitutional context within which U.S. foreign policy has been articulated, the bureaucracies involved in shaping policy, the impact of elections, groups and the mass media.

Prerequisites: POL208H1 or POL208Y1 or POL209H5 or POLB80H3
Exclusions: POL326Y1 or POL327Y5

 

POL340H1F L0101: International Law: Foundations

This course will introduce students to the primary sources of international law (treaties and customary international law) and the legal attributes of the core actors in the international system, including states, international organizations and individuals. Related topics will include governance of territory and the seas.

Texts: Rousseau, Second Discourse and On Social Contract: Kant, “What is Enlightenment?”; Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France; Wollstonecraft, Vindications of the Rights of Woman.
Format and Requirements: Essay; Final exam.
Prerequisites: POL208H1 or POL208Y1 or POL209H5 or POLB80H3
Exclusions: POL340Y1 or POL340Y5 or POLC38H3

 

POL348H1S L0101: Priviledge and Race in Global Perspective

The central goal of this course is to interrogate the relationship between race and privilege in democratic politics. If racism is often seen as antithetical to democracy, this course will encourage students to consider the generative (and exclusionary) role of racism in modern state-making, as well as its relationship to nationalism and citizenship. Grounded in the idea that race and racism and critical to understanding today’s lived realities in Canada, this course will provide students with a conceptual grammar of race and racism both within and outside Euro-North American frameworks. The course will encourage students to consider questions such as: how does race structure politics in contemporary democracies? What are the relationships between racism and episodes of political exclusion or expulsion? How do multiracial democracies operate even amidst conditions of structural racism?

Texts: Mills, Charles W. The Racial Contract.; Arendt, Hannah. The Origins of Totalitarianism;Olson, Joel. The Abolition of White Democracy; Valdez, Ines. Democracy and Empire; Du Bois, W.E.B. Black Reconstruction in America. Coulthard, Glen. Red Skin, White Mask; .Baldwin, James. The Evidence of Things Not Seen

Format and Requirements: Essay; Short Quercus Responses; Creative final project; In-Class participation

.Prerequisites: POL200Y1Y

 

POL349H1F L0101: Global Urban Politics

This course examines urban politics in the context of globalization. With an understanding th#-POL349H1Fat urban politics is shaped by forces that are at once immediate and distant, it considers the local-global character of urban development, governance, planning, public policy, democracy, citizenship, and territoriality. Throughout the class we will assess the uneven nature of urbanization and urban society in a variety of sites in the global north and global south. The course will introduce students to different theoretical perspectives and will focus on a number of critical urban issues such as suburbanization, immigration, sustainability, and inequality.

Prerequisite: 1.0 credit in POL/ JPA/ JPF/ JPI/ JPR/ JPS/JRA courses

 

POL362H1F L0101: Global Political Economy: Policy and Analysis

This course reviews and builds on themes introduced in Global Political Economy 1: History and Theory (POL 361 H1 F). It focuses on significant challenges to world economic order, resilience, and justice. Specific national and international policies governing trade, capital flows, migration, development, production, and the environment are examined. Methods for analyzing the background, interaction, and implications of such policies are introduced.

Prerequisites: 1.0 credit in POL/ JPA/ JPF/ JPI/ JPR/ JPS/ JRA courses; (ECO101H1, ECO102H1)/ ECO105Y1

 

POL377H1F L0101: Topics in Comparative Politics: Populism in Comparative Perspective

This course is designed to offer a framework for understanding populism, its causes, and its consequences. The first three weeks provide an introduction to the concept of populism and why it matters. The next six classes offer different perspectives on the rise of populism: macro-level structural causes such as globalization and crises, the agency of movements and politicians, the institutional weakening of parties, and factors shaping micro-level voter attitudes and beliefs. Lastly, the course concludes with a class on measurement, offering insight into the technical aspects of empirical research on populism. The course culminates in students' presentations of their individual research projects. This assignment is intended to help students articulate their own conclusions about how the course material has shaped their understanding of real-world cases.

Texts: All course texts (journal articles, news articles, chapters from edited volumes, chapters from books) will be available through the University of Toronto Library.

Format and Requirements: Attendance and Participation (20%), Short Response Paper (20%), Peer Review Assignment (10%), Project Proposal (10%), Project Presentation (20%), Project Paper (20%)

Prerequisites: 1.0 credit in POL/ JPA/ JPF/ JPI/ JPR/ JPS/ JRA courses

 

POL377H1S L5101: Topics in Comparative Politics I: Global Indigenous Resistances

This course focuses on the diversity of global Indigenous experiences shaped by the specific socio-cultural, political, and economic contexts in the past and present, and is intended to introduce and provide a greater understanding of Indigenous histories, worldviews, and perspectives. This course particularly focuses on the diversity of Indigenous demands for self-determination, identity, rights, and territory through various resistance philosophies and activities. The students will learn and discuss the global case studies of Indigenous resistances, analyzing their contexts, strategies used, and outcomes. Specifically, this course will address the following questions: How is Indigeneity articulated and expressed in different contexts? How are governments responding to Indigenous resistance movements? The students will learn and interrogate concepts (such as Indigeneity, race, gender, environment, land, activisms, feminisms, colonialisms, capitalism, globalization, decolonization, etc.), theoretical and praxis approaches significant to understanding contemporary Indigenous realities and Indigenous agency involved in shaping them.

Texts: All course texts (journal articles, articles from edited volumes, chapters from books) will be available through the University of Toronto Library. (Some sources might change.)
Format and Requirements: The course requirements consist of Participation (10%), 5 Reading Quizzes (5x5%=25%), 2 Reading Responses (2x15%=30%), Discussion Facilitation (5%), and Final Paper (30%).
Prerequisites: 1.0 credit in POL/ JPA/ JPF/ JPI/ JPR/ JPS/ JRA courses

 

POL378H1S L0101: Topics in Comparative Politics II: Democratic Transitions

Democracy is one of the most important and most contested concepts in comparative politics. Surveys consistently show that most people want their countries to be democratic, yet most of the world lives under some form of authoritarianism. Global democracy has been in decline for the past six years according to International IDEA and the past eighteen years according to Freedom House. When is demand for democracy enough to overthrow authoritarian governments? What do citizens and activists even mean by democracy? Are there social or economic prerequisites for successful democratic transition? When should we consider a new democracy to be “consolidated”? This course equips students to develop their own answers to these questions. 

Format and Requirements: Class Participation (20%); Presentation (20%); Op-Ed Assignment (25%); Final Essay (35%)

Prerequisites: 1.0 credit in POL/ JPA/ JPF/ JPI/ JPR/ JPS/ JRA courses

 

POL379H1F L5101: Topics in Comparative Politics III: Race and Politics in America

This seminar draws from a variety of sources to understand contemporary politics of racial & ethnic identity. Much of the class will focus on white perceptions of Black-Americans, other minority groups, and themselves in the United States, to:

• Understand how social identities & psychological perspectives influence how we view ourselves and others, and how these differences find political expression.
• Differentiate between individual-level theories of racism and structural theories of the impact of racism that may persist even when people and policies are unintentionally racist or think they are acting without prejudice;
• Gain insight into recent and/or historical events, including the elections of Barack Obama and Donald Trump, hatred directed at Asian-Americans during COVID, and the debate over how to teach about race and racism in schools.

Texts: Readings drawn from academic articles, newspaper stories, auto-biographies, book chapters and movies that are all available on-line through the university library.

Prerequisites: 1.0 credit in POL/ JPA/ JPF/ JPI/ JPR/ JPS/JRA courses

 

POL380H1S L0101: Topics in International Politics: Peace and Security in the Digital Age

The digital age has introduced new dimensions of both conflict and stability. From cyber operations and disinformation to state surveillance and censorship evasion, security challenges today unfold as much online as they do in physical spaces. This course examines how digital technologies shape security threats, influence conflict, and create both risks and opportunities for peace. Through case studies, students will assess the challenges and strategies of maintaining security and stability in an interconnected world.

Texts: TBA academic articles and book chapters

Format and Requirements: Essays/reflections and class participation

Prerequisites:  POL208H1/ POL208Y1/ POL209H5/POLB80H3

 

POL380H1S L0201: Topics in International Politics: Big Tech in International Politics

This course explores the evolving influence of Big Tech in International Politics. Big Tech in this context encompasses a unique set of technology focused business entities whose structural size, geographical reach, and economic resources have an outsized influence in international politics. Examples include ByteDance, Tencent, Alibaba, Huawei, Microsoft, Apple, Google, Tesla, and Meta. Our focus will be on ways that these Big Tech entities gain and exercise power, how they relate to states and societies they are embedded in, and the evolving geopolitics of their governance. The course draws mainly but not exclusively from international political economy, global governance, and network studies.

Texts: All readings are available through the UofT library, or publicly available online.

Format and Requirements: Attendance & Participation (20%); Reading reflections (20%); Extended Essay Outline (15%); Class Presentations (15%); Final Research paper (30%).

Prerequisites: POL208H1/ POL208Y1/ POL209H5/POLB80H3

 

POL380H1S L5101: Topics in International Politics: Global Governance: A Foundational Perspective

This course provides the foundations for the allied fields of global studies, global governance (GG) and development studies. From a conceptual and factual perspective, global studies, global governance, and economic globalization emerged because the Western liberal Constitution (hereafter Constitution) which stands for governance went global (as explained and revealed in this course).  Given the Constitution’s salience, which will be taught in class, its globalization made governance a global topic and concern. And this is how the Constitution came to shape governance worldwide, politically, and economically, and governance at all levels, national and international. As a result, teaching, exploring, or learning about global governance without a foundational/Constitutional perspective leads to incomplete, inaccurate, and distorted information.  This course aims to correct this problem.  Given the Constitution’s salience, which will be taught in class, its globalization made governance a global topic and concern. This course provides an overview of how the following actors shape global governance: the United Nations and its agencies such as the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Security Council, the Bretton Woods Institutions (the IMF and the World Bank) as well as the European Union. The course provides students with a comprehensive and conceptual understanding of GG, including how its constituent elements (political, trade, finance, and judicial) have been shaped by the (globalized) Constitution and what this implies for people in the global north and global south.

This course is designed for students exploring careers in law, academics, business, global affairs, and development studies.  Its primary objective is to develop students’ critical thinking, analytical and communication skills and provide them with the knowledge-tools essential to fully grasp global governance properly understood.  

Texts: Library course readings accessed through Quercus.  Not more than 10-20 pages of readings per class.

Format and Requirements: Two two-hour lectures per week. Participation, midterm, and final exam (in-person).

Prerequisites: POL208H1/ POL208Y1/ POL209H5/POLB80H3

 

POL382H1S L0101: Topics in Canadian Politics: Canadian Public Policy

This course investigates Canadian public policy with a twofold focus on processes and outcomes. How is public policy made in Canada, and how can we understand the process? Who gets what, who holds power, and what are the dynamics between federal, provincial and municipal policymakers? How do policymakers understand problems, and how can we assess possible policy solutions? Students will examine these questions from both a public policy studies perspective and that of a policy analyst.

Texts: Library course readings accessed through Quercus

Format and Requirements: Two two-hour lectures per week. Participation, midterm, essay, policy brief.

Prerequisites: POL214H1/ POL214Y1/ POL214Y5/ POL215H5/ POL216H5/ POL224H1/ POL224Y1/ POLB50Y3

 

400-Level Courses

 

POL417H1F L5101: Politics of North-South Relations

This course explores the complex relations between the developed world and Global South in historical and contemporary settings. It engages critical scholarship within International Politics and International Political Economy to examine salient factors in North-South relations such as dependency and interdependence, trade, development aid, global governance architecture, and South-South cooperation broadly defined.

Format and Requirements: Two two-hour seminars per week.
Prerequisites: POL201H1 or POL201Y1 or POL208H1 or POL208Y1 or POL209H5 or POLB80H3 or POLB90H3
Exclusions: POL417Y1

 

POL418H1S L0101: Human Security and Intra-state Conflicts in the Global South

What are the underlying causes of insecurity and instability, and what factors support or undermine attainment of durable peace after episodes of violent conflict in the Global South? This course explores these questions using comparative case studies and theoretical perspectives from political science and other disciplines on the challenges and opportunities of ending conflicts and achieving sustainable peace.

Prerequisites: POL201H1 or POL201Y1 or POL208H1 or POL208Y1 or POL209H5 or POLB80H3 or POLB90H3
Exclusions: POL417Y1

 

POL431H1S / POL2431H1S L0101 Dynamics of Political Change in Contemporary China

Selective examination of issues and themes in China's post-Mao reform effort with particular emphasis on the challenges faced by China’s leadership in managing an increasingly complex market authoritarian state and society. contemporary social, political and economic developments. Emphasis is on the period since Xi Jinping’s assumption of power in 2012.

Format and Requirements: Two two-hour seminars per week. Course requirements: essay, critiques and class participation.

 

 

POL486H1F/POL2205H1F L0101: Topics in International Politics I: the Global Politics of Science Fiction

This course examines the intersection of science fiction and global politics. We will engage with classic and contemporary sci-fi works that touch upon key IR concepts like anarchy, empire, arms races, and hegemony.

Prerequisites: POL208H1/ POL208Y1/ POL209H5/ POLB80H3

 

POL491H1S L0101: Topics in Canadian Politics II: Political Participation: Who Gets Elected?

Who serves in Parliament and other legislatures? Do the backgrounds of politicians affect how policies are decided and which policies get adopted? This seminar explores the political representation of different groups in society, and the consequences of representation for policy outcomes. Topics include the representation of women, racial and ethnic minorities, class interests, youth, LGBTQ+, religious groups, and other social divisions

Prerequisites: POL214H1 or POL214Y1 or POL215H5 or POL216H5 or POL224H1 or POL224Y1/POLB50Y3; 1.0 other POL credit in Canadian politics.

 

POL492H1F Topics in Comparative Politics IV: Identities

The broad goal of this seminar is to raise and explore important questions about identities including the following: How are identities formed? How do they evolve over time? What do identities do in political economic life? Why are some identities more salient than others? What are the epistemological and ethical consequences of various ways of conceptualizing identities? We will explore cases from around the world, even though dynamics in Africa will receive particular attention.

Prerequisites: 2.0 credits in POL/ JPA/ JPF/ JPI/ JPR/ JPS/ JRA courses

 

POL496H1F L0101: Independent Studies

Independent Study courses are arranged by senior undergraduate students who wish to pursue a detailed research project under individual supervision. Departmental registration is required.

Complete an Independent Studies application form, available from the Undergraduate Office or the Departmental website (www.politics.utoronto.ca), and return it to Room 3027 SSH by the first day of class.

Only students who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply:

1. You must have completed introductory courses in the area in which you wish to conduct your research;
2. None of the current Departmental course offerings should cover the materials you wish to study;
3. There must be a Faculty member from the Department of Political Science who has expertise in the area and who is willing to supervise your course of study;
4. You must not have previously completed an Independent Studies course through this Department.

Students are not entitled to take more than 1.0 FCE Independent Studies course in Political Science.

Exclusions: POL495Y1

 

POL497H1S L0101: Independent Studies

Independent Study courses are arranged by senior undergraduate students who wish to pursue a detailed research project under individual supervision. Departmental registration is required.

Complete an Independent Studies application form, available from the Undergraduate Office or the Departmental website, and return it to Room 3027 SSH by the first day of class.

Only students who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply:

1. You must have completed introductory courses in the area in which you wish to conduct your research;
2. None of the current Departmental course offerings should cover the materials you wish to study;
3.  There must be a Faculty member from the Department of Political Science who has expertise in the area and who is willing to supervise your course of study;
4.  You must not have previously completed an Independent Studies course through this Department.

Students are not entitled to take more than 1.0 FCE Independent Studies course in Political Science.