Learn
Our department educates students in each of the core disciplines of Politics and International Relations. Read about each field, how every one involves experiential learning, and meet the professors who specialize in those fields. This is real learning for the real world.
Canadian Politics
In response to the wide array of global challenges that we face today, Canada can play an instrumental role in shaping relationships in the emerging political order. To do so, Canadian citizens and governments must understand the powers and potential pitfalls that are embedded in our own system.
Experiential learning: Get ready for a detailed simulation of Canadian parliament in your own class. Students in “Women in Civic Leadership” work all year with change-makers in London. Want to learn what real politics looks like? Enrol in our “Campaign School” the next time there is a federal, provincial or municipal election. You’ll be paired up with a candidate to help with their campaign. From the back room of the campaign office to voters’ front steps – you’re in the action.
The following faculty members offer courses or conduct research in this field:
International Relations
International relations is an exciting and often unpredictable field of study. You’ll learn from our faculty members who are incredibly active in this area. In addition to their frequent publications, they work regularly with governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the media to understand and change politics in an international context. Current areas of faculty focus include international organizations and trade, political economy, and conflict negotiations.
Experiential learning: See the world! Students in our IR courses have travelled to Europe, Africa and the United States to study politics and political economy on the ground – get your passport ready!
The following faculty members offer courses or conduct research in this field:
Comparative Politics / Politics of Development
The fields of comparative politics and development will teach you a range of approaches that we use to compare countries and regions around the world. Whether you compare different modes of government, public policies, social movements or the role of media, this field challenges you to think about new and alternative ways of doing politics. Our faculty have expertise on issues central to politics in North America, Africa and Europe.
Experiential Learning: If you think there is too much conflict in our world, try negotiating peace with our world-renowned expert in conflict resolution, Professor Tieku.
The following faculty members offer courses or conduct research in this field:
Political Theory
Political theory is an encounter with competing ideas about what politics is meant to achieve and how people should live. We’ve designed political theory at King’s so that a grounding in the history of political thought leads to the study of contemporary politics. You’ll acquire the ideas and vocabulary needed to discuss and win debates about topics such as equality and inequality, different modes of freedom, social control and political violence.
Experiential learning: Prepare for an in-class simulation where you write a constitution for a new country – and see whether you can negotiate successfully at a constitutional convention.
The following faculty members offer courses or conduct research in this field:
Law and Public Policy
The law is central to how government policy is crafted and how it should be evaluated. You’ll learn from faculty members who teach and research in a wide variety of areas related to law and public policy, including Canadian law, international trade law, immigration and multiculturalism, health policy, and climate change.
Experiential learning: Develop the practical skills you need to design and evaluate policies and programs in the public and private sectors.
The following faculty members offer courses or conduct research in this field:
