Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Studies

at Trent University Peterborough Canada

Politics shape everything society touches, influencing what we believe, how we live and what we do to create order in a chaotic world. In this program, you’ll learn to make a positive impact through shaping and influencing social policy, focusing on Canadian politics, world politics and political theory. You’ll find yourself debating and exploring ideas surrounding democracy and global politics, closely examining power relations and relationships between state, business, and citizens.

Public Policy (Specialization):-
In today’s challenging political environment, the world needs new leaders who are driven to find the best solutions to society’s problems. The specialization in Public Policy is the ideal path for students in Political Studies who are interested in pursuing a career in public service, think tanks, as well as non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations.

Resume Boosters:-

• Apply your learning to the real world through a community engagement project or political internship
• Get published – complete a fourth-year thesis under the supervision of expert faculty who are leaders in the field
• Go global and internationalize your degree (and experience) through a study abroad opportunity

Not only will you graduate with two degrees in just six years, but you’ll also have the chance to take your education global while you learn, travel, explore, and live abroad.

If a career in law is what you want, this is the program for you. In this one-of-a-kind program, you will undertake either a Bachelor of Arts Honours or a Bachelor of Business Administration degree at Trent – Ontario’s #1 undergrad university, while also obtaining a law degree from Swansea University’s renowned Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law in the UK – no need to write the LSATs.

How the Program Works:-
The first two years of your degree take place at Trent, where you’ll pursue your choice of 14 degree options. In third year, you’ll transfer to the coastal city of Swansea in Wales to complete three years of law studies, earning your Bachelor of Laws degree. Once your LL.B. is complete, you’ll return to Trent to complete your Honours degree credentials. By simultaneously taking several Canadian Law courses in your final year at Trent, you’ll be well-prepared for the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) exams, enabling you to take the required steps to practice law in Canada.

Degree Program Options:-
Business Administration*; Canadian Studies; Cultural Studies; Economics; English Literature*; Environmental & Resource Studies; Gender & Women’s Studies; History*; Indigenous Studies; International Development Studies; Media Studies*; Philosophy*; Political Studies; Sociology*

Resume Boosters:-

• Combining your law degree with your choice of B.A. or B.B.A. degree means that you will graduate with a unique set of skills and perspectives
• Meet and learn from top law professionals through our Visiting Lawyers in Residence program
• Join the Trent Law Society and benefit from field trips, workshops, and events, all with a focus on law and the legal system

Make your mark on this world in a thoughtful and sustainable way. You’ll acquire the knowledge essential to understanding our environment and creating a greener future. Choose to complete a B.A. degree and explore sustainable solutions to environmental challenges in courses such as environmental law and global environmental policy. With the B.Sc. option, you’ll obtain an advanced scientific understanding of the environment, addressing everything from environmental chemistry to restoration ecology.

Accelerated Master's Degree:-
Earn your M.Sc. in Environmental & Life Sciences (ELS) in only 12-16 months after graduating from your B.Sc.

Resume Boosters:-

• Conduct hands-on research in Trent’s 12 on-campus nature reserves
• Develop practical field and laboratory skills working with internationally recognized environmental scientists
• Spend a year studying abroad in a multitude of international research placements

In only a few short decades, computer technology has influenced nearly every aspect of our lives. Because of this, the ability to create, manipulate and speak the language of computing systems has become some of the most valued skills applicable to almost every industry.  When you study Computing Systems at Trent, you’ll get a chance to develop your skills in designing, implementing, and integrating software applications everything from supercomputers to game boards. This degree will equip you with the necessary skills required for a successful career in the ever-changing technology sector.

Resume Boosters:

• Pursue the competitive co-op option: graduate with 12 months of relevant experience through three paid work terms in the information technology industry with companies like TD Bank, Canada Border Services, Freshbooks, Blackberry, and more
• Work with real-world clients from industry, government, and education through third year internship course and fourth year project course
• Undertake an undergraduate research thesis and investigate a specific field of interest with the expert guidance of your prof

Biology is central to comprehending today’s most pressing concerns, from managing the spread of infectious diseases to how to sustainably feed a planet of seven billion people. In this leading program, you will study and research alongside faculty in cutting-edge labs and collaborate with leading scientists in the field.

Health Sciences Specialization
If your interest in wellness, illness, and medicine begins at the cellular level, Health Sciences is the specialization for you. Ideal for students who want to focus on the research and lab-based side of healthcare, Trent's Specialization in Health Sciences offers you the distinct opportunity to study the theoretical aspects of medicine and apply your knowledge through an internship with a collaborating agency or individual sponsor in a health-related setting.

Create a unique educational focus based on your passions and interests, with an interdisciplinary knowledge base
Trent’s joint major programs give you full license to create a degree that's uniquely your own, by combining courses in the arts, sciences, or professional programs. Have a passion for social justice? Combine your Politics degree with Gender & Women’s Studies. Interested in all things tech? Join Media Studies and Computing Systems. Mix and match programs that best appeal to your interests, preparing yourself for a future with more possibility.

Combine degrees. Expand your horizons.
At Trent, you have the flexibility to combine nearly any two programs of your choice. To help you narrow it down, here’s a list of some of our most popular combinations:

• Media Studies and Psychology 
• Anthropology and History 
• English and Media Studies 
• Biology and Psychology 
• Anthropology and Psychology 
• Environmental Studies and Biology 
• Anthropology and Sociology 
• Geography and Canadian Studies 
• Computing Systems and Media Studies 
• Economics and Philosophy 
• Economics and Psychology 
• English and Psychology 
• Psychology and Sociology 
• Computing Systems and Economics 
• English and Sociology 

You can also explore the popular joint major combinations within our professional programs like Business Administration and Forensic Science.

Psychology:-
Psychology is the study of human behaviour, the brain, and the mind. This program is perfect for students who wish to develop a better understanding of how and why people act, think, and feel the way they do. You’ll study the principles of psychology and a variety of specialized subjects ranging from personality, child development, and abnormal psychology in your first two years, to advanced subjects such as gender, emotions, and the psychology of evil in the latter half of your degree.

Economics:-
At both a national and global level, the most significant social issues involve economics. Through your studies in Economics, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of the methods and tools required to analyze complex economic issues such as unemployment, inflation, economic growth and the regulation of the market structure. Your studies will enable you to use national and international data to explore trends and tendencies, test economic models, and will give you the ability to recommend policies addressing inadequacies with market outcomes.

Resume Boosters:-

• Gain the diversity of knowledge today’s employers are looking by studying and specializing in not one, but two academic disciplines
• Hands-on learning experiences abound in all Trent programs – gain the competitive edge on your resume

How did Canada become the country that it is today, and what does it mean to be Canadian? Explore issues of relevance to Canada’s past and present through a critical examination of themes such as the environment, nationalism, sovereignty, Indigeneity, diversity, and immigration. Canadian Studies will offer you unparalleled insight into the life and history of Canada, and through the program’s co-op stream, you can get a close look at the role it plays in the world and workplaces today. By pursuing a degree in the co-op stream, you’ll graduate with 12 months of work experience and a deep understanding of Canada’s national identity.

Resume Boosters:

• Explore your strengths and career interests, and graduate with 12 months of work experience (and income) through the new four-year B.A. co-op option, giving you the competitive edge for future job prospects.
• Undertake a community research project with local museums, not-for-profits and arts organizations
• Study alongside leading Canadian Studies scholars, many of whom are national and international experts in their field
• Participate in and learn from public lectures, seminars and themed symposiums held on-campus throughout the year
• Learn alongside world-renowned faculty in a small-group environment – giving you the advantage for that personal reference for grad school or your first career after graduation

Psychology is the study of human behaviour, the brain, and the mind. This program is perfect for students who wish to develop a better understanding of how and why people act, think, and feel the way they do. You’ll study the principles of psychology and a variety of specialized subjects ranging from personality, child development, and abnormal psychology in your first two years, to advanced subjects such as gender, emotions, and the psychology of evil in the latter half of your degree.

Psychological Development Specializations:-
Unravel the mystery of the mind and how the human brain develops from day one. Choose to focus your studies on children and youth or set your sights on adults and aging. Psychology majors can get real- world experience through practical and research opportunities in Trent’s Living Lab or in the community.

Add an element of expertise to your Psychology degree that will diversify you from other Psychology graduates.
Courses

The Specialization in Psychological Development is open to students in the single- and joint major Honours degree programs and is intended for students interested in pursuing a career in developmental psychology and associated fields (e.g., graduate work with a specialization in developmental psychology, health care, social work, recreation or developmental services, child protection). This specialization provides students with course options designed for an in-depth examination of theoretical, empirical, methodological, and practical approaches to development related topics. Students who have fulfilled the requirements for an Honours degree in Psychology may graduate with a Specialization in Psychological Development if they have successfully completed

Resume Boosters:-

• Take a practica to be a part of research both on campus and off campus.
• Aging and conditions of aging research placements available at the Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Science.
• Living Lab experience – part of research but you’re interacting with real life people in applied real world setting. Still research that is being conducted, that has applications for treatment and implications.

What is power? How do power relations and structures shape Canadian society and societies around the world? What is the relationship between states, businesses, nongovernmental organizations, social movements/protests and citizens? Explore these and many other questions in Political Studies at Trent. Here, you will sharpen your analytical skills and learn how to make a positive impact in the world. Focus your political exploration on Canadian politics, world politics or political theory. Immerse yourself in understanding political structures and systems, as you engage in lively debates and discussions alongside sought-after experts in globalization, populism, international relations, and political theory.

Resume Boosters:

• Explore your strengths and career interests, and graduate with 12 months of work experience (and income) through the new four-year B.A. co-op stream, giving you the competitive edge for future job prospects.
• Apply your learning to the real world through a community engagement project, field placement, or research practicum, gaining valuable hands-on experience in qualitative research methods
• Get published – complete a fourth-year thesis under the supervision of expert faculty who are leaders in the field
• Go global and internationalize your degree (and experience) through a study abroad opportunity
• Build a foundation for more advanced study in various domains of Political Studies

International Development Studies at Trent aims to equip students with the tools to understand and analyze societal transformation, and to act in ways that contribute to progressive social and political change. Here, you will learn from a range of experts, including anthropologists, political scientists, and economists, as you take courses that fuse theory and practical learning. You’ll explore wide-ranging themes such as global poverty, food systems, hunger, conflict, ecological degradation, industrialization, and cultural identity, as you better understand the sources and consequences of human development around the world. Your studies will pay particular attention to the world’s most vulnerable populations and their complex relations with states, corporations and international organizations.

Resume Boosters:

• Study and work in a developing country through the Trent in Ghana program – includes a 12-week placement with a development organization
• Translate learning into experience through our community-based research course, conducting an evaluation of a community organization in Peterborough or Haliburton
• Join the Student Association for International Development and contribute to the student-run Community Movements Conference