Bachelor of Arts - Political Studies (Optional Co-op) (Program Major)

Political Studies examines the dynamics of human interaction in which individuals and groups compete, and cooperate, to achieve their goals, in the context of competing visions, values and interests. It is therefore a study of power, particularly in connection with law and public policy. Because people often disagree about, say, civil liberties, sustainable development, and distributive justice, they divide themselves into various groups: nations, political parties, trade unions, business associations, environmental organizations, to mention but a few. Political studies tries to understand what happens when individuals and groups struggle with one another to achieve their different goals. Within states there are mechanisms called governments to oversee and guide political struggle, and studying politics can help everyone better appreciate why various types of government behave the way they do.