Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science - Political Theory (Co-op, Internship)

at Carleton University Canada

Our students acquire a comprehensive, multidisciplinary understanding of the causes and definitions of crime and criminal behaviour, criminal law and its administration, and social and institutional responses to crime. You will personalize your program by choosing one of three concentrations: Law, Psychology or Sociology. In addition, possible field placements in organizations such as the Crown Attorney’s Office, criminal law offices or the Royal Ottawa Hospital (Forensic Program) give you hands-on experience in real-life situations, including front-line work with offenders, police, victims, and lawyers, to name a few. Other placements can match you with researchers and policy analysts involved in criminal justice and crime prevention. Carleton’s location in Ottawa gives you research and employment opportunities that align with your degree.

Africa is the most culturally and geographically diverse continent on earth. The African Studies program offers you an opportunity to study the histories, cultures, languages, geographies, politics and economics of this fascinating continent. You will also learn about the aid, trade and investment, and migration flows that link Africa to the rest of the world in the era of globalization.

Students in the Combined Honours program can benefit from a work placement opportunity, a mentorship program and the chance to study in Africa through our African Studies Abroad course or by doing their third year at one of the African universities with which Carleton has exchange agreements.

The Canadian Studies program at Carleton tackles problems related to Canada that do not fit easily into disciplinary boundaries, including the relationship between settlers and the land they occupy, the trauma of colonialism and the process of reconciliation, the complexities of understanding and preserving heritage, tensions between urban and rural parts of the country, nation-branding, and the representation and performance of identity. These problems demand creative and innovative research methods and ways of thinking. The goal of our program is to help students develop the skills necessary to meet them.

Economics may be a specialized area of knowledge, but it is relevant to almost every aspect of our lives. At its core, it is the study of reasoned choice in the context of scarce resources and competing interests. The need to make such choices pervades the day-to-day lives of all of us—as individuals and in society as a whole.

In Carleton’s Bachelor of Economics (BEcon), you will study the operation of market-based economies, examining the causes of economic growth, inflation, unemployment and international trade.

There is an increasing demand for clean sources of energy such as nuclear, wind, solar, geothermal, hydropower and biomass energies. Truly sustainable development, however, will require the clever integration of renewable energy technologies into existing infrastructure, along with vastly improved efficiencies in non-renewable energy use. This program provides analytical and hands-on skills for designing, building, operating and enhancing sustainable energy systems that combine energy generation, distribution and utilization in an environmentally responsible and economically beneficial manner.

Economics may be a specialized area of knowledge, but it is relevant to almost every aspect of our lives. At its core, it is the study of reasoned choice in the context of scarce resources and competing interests. The need to make such choices pervades the day-to-day lives of all of us—as individuals and in society as a whole.

In Carleton’s Bachelor of Economics (BEcon), you will study the operation of market-based economies, examining the causes of economic growth, inflation, unemployment and international trade.

Modern biology in the postgenomic age is being greatly enriched by the infusion of ideas from computer science, information science, mathematics, systems research and statistics. Bioinformatics taps into the vast datasets accumulating in the life sciences, combining techniques from informatics and computer science to solve biological problems such as gene identification, drug interactions and protein structure, the answers to which will be at the forefront of the application of personalized medicine. At Carleton, you will take courses in several areas including bioinformatics, biology, biochemistry and computer science.

The BA Geography program at Carleton focuses on human and environmental geography, exploring and analyzing a wide range of topics such as local food systems, urban poverty, cultural landscapes, adaptation to climate change and natural resource management. Students in the BA Geography (Honours) program may take a concentration in Physical Geography or Urban Geography. Our professors have extensive expertise in social, political and cultural geography; resource management and environmental assessment; and the study of physical processes of the Earth’s vegetation, climate, water and soil systems. Field courses, workplace opportunities (1 day a week practicum; full term co-op), and training in tools like geographic information systems, remote sensing and cartography also provide an opportunity to gain practical experience while you study. A Bachelor of Science in Physical Geography is also available.

Linguistics is the scientific study of one of the most fundamental aspects of being human: using language to communicate. Linguists explore a range of fascinating areas, including how language is represented and processed in the brain, the psychology of language, clinical applications of linguistics in treating language disorders and delays, how children acquire language, and the biological and evolutionary aspects of language.

Professionals working with children and youth face many challenges involving complex relationships with families, communities and governments. Childhood and Youth Studies at Carleton prepares you for careers in this demanding area. The program was originally developed for graduates of Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs, but the broader scope of the new curriculum allows for entry into the program without an ECE diploma. Through core courses in childhood and youth studies, as well as other relevant disciplines, you will learn about a wide range of topics (e.g., children’s rights, policy and practice) pertaining to children and youth in Canada and around the world.