This course examines special topics or issues in political studies that are not considered in-depth in other courses.

This course will provide students with theoretical and practical frameworks in the areas of law and public policy to engage with social and global issues. Students will explore the intersection of law, politics and culture in the setting of Canada's capital. Students will critique culture and identify positive ways Christians engage and shape culture, particularly in public policy and law. They will explore how law and public policy are developed through observing courts and Parliament in action. Students will identify a critical problem in society and suggest ways to resolve this problem through law and public policy that is consistent with core Christian beliefs.

Under supervision of the departmental faculty, students conduct a careful review of the literature on a topic of their choice as well as an empirical study of some portion of the topic. The final written result is submitted in a 12,000 to 15,000-word thesis. Taken in fourth year by Honours students in Political and International Studies.

Under supervision of the departmental faculty, students conduct a careful review of the literature on a topic of their choice as well as an empirical study of some portion of the topic. The final written result is submitted in a 12,000 to 15,000-word thesis. Taken in fourth year by Honours students in Political and International Studies.

This course provides a survey of empirical research methods, both qualitative and quantitative, used in social and political analysis with practical application of these methods to such issues as research design; the preparation of a literature review; the application of quantitative survey techniques and case study methods; interviewing techniques; and research ethics.

Social scientists greatly benefit from the use of statistical analyses in their respective disciplines. Through a comprehensive investigation of data description; drawing statistical inference; testing the significance of differences and relationships and modeling predictive relationships students will develop a quantitative and computational inquiry. Discipline specific experiential learning modules will be employed where appropriate.

This course will introduce students to various traditions of qualitative social inquiry and their associated methodological features. Emphasis will be placed on the practical application of these traditions of inquiry as their associated methods of data collection and analysis are applied in a range of research settings.