Political Science Programmes
Economics Programmes
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General Information
The primary purpose of the Department of Political Science and Economics is to provide the officer cadets of the Royal Military College of Canada with the best possible university-level education in two major fields of the social sciences: Political Science and Economics. This education must benefit foremost the students themselves and, as a direct consequence, the professional development of the future officers of the Canadian Forces. The quality of this education must be such that the doors of every graduate school will be open to the best of these students.
Social scientists seek to understand and to analyze human behaviour. In their study of society they make both normative and positive statements. Normative statements concern what one believes ought to be. They are based on value judgments related to philosophical, cultural and religious systems. Positive statements, on the other hand, are about matters of fact. They are testable statements and can be proved by empirical evidence. Successfully predicting the behaviour of a large group of people, for example, is made possible by the statistical “law” of large numbers, which asserts that irregularities in individual behaviour tend to cancel each other out and regularities tend to show up in repeated observations.
Language and writing skills are a basic requirement for studying social sciences. Hence students are encouraged to take maximum advantage of all the opportunities, including the services of the Writing Centre, made available to them during their first two years of study to develop these skills.
Political Science
The Political Science programme prepares officer cadets for the intellectual rigors of military service and is designed as a robust preparation for subsequent graduate education that is required for service in senior ranks in the Canadian Armed Forces. The study of politics, government and international relations equips students with the empirical, methodological and theoretical foundations and skillsets to confront questions of social and political life: war and conflict, peace and democracy, what constitutes the good life for individuals, and how communities are formed.
The program offers three broad streams:
- Canada: government, politics and society, public, foreign and defence policy, and public administration;
- The World: security, conflict, and international governance; and
- Advanced Topics: different approaches to the study of politics, states, institutions, civil-military relations, and regions across the globe.
The programme in political science is designed to maximize choice in courses while providing a comprehensive foundation. To that end, all students will complete a set of Foundation courses: four courses that introduce students to social science methods, theories, and philosophies that inform political science as a discipline. In addition, each stream has a mandatory prerequisite – a key course – that precedes other courses in that stream. Students are then free to select additional courses in their area of interest from any of the three streams that they have opened with the ‘key’ course. In addition, students pursuing the B.A. (Honours) degree must complete the senior capstone seminar course.
Economics
Economics is the social science that studies how individuals, firms, and governments make choices on allocating scarce resources to satisfy unlimited wants. Economics is everywhere: from students choosing how much time to allocate to studying versus going to the gym or going out, to governments choosing how to allocate resources to education, health care, or security, all these decisions involve a choice of one or more alternatives given limited resources, such as time and/or money.
There are two main branches of economics; Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. Microeconomics studies the behaviour of individual decision makers such as firms and households. It deals with determination of prices and quantities in individual markets and with the relationship among markets. In contrast, macroeconomics is concerned with the behaviour of the economy as a whole, in particular, with factors such as unemployment, national income, economic growth, inflation and price levels.
Physical Conditioning and Second Language Courses
- ATE101: Foundations of Fitness, Health and Sports
- ATE301: Unarmed Combatives, Military Skills and Individual Sports
- LCF100 : Compétence de base – partie I
- LCF200 : Compétence de base – partie II
- LCF301 : Compétence intermédiaire – partie I
- LCF302 : Compétence intermédiaire – partie II
- LCF400 : Compétence intermédiaire - partie III
Political Science Programme Requirements
To be eligible for admission into the programme leading to a B.A. (Honours) Political Science or a B.A. Political Science, students must have successfully completed their first-year courses in social sciences and humanities. The first-year courses in political science are part of the compulsory college core and will count toward the degree requirements, noted below. In consultation with the Political Political Science Chaire, students will select courses each year to fulfil the degree requirements, which includes the College’s core courses, as well as a minimum number of junior and senior courses. We offer five programmes:
- B.A. (Honours) Political Science
- B.A. Political Science
- B.A Political Science with a Minor in Economics
- B.A Political Science with a Minor (through another department or faculty)
- Minor in Political Science
B.A. (Honours) Political Science
A 40 credit programme, including the core courses for arts programmes, with a minimum of 20 credits in Political Science.
Mandatory courses
- POE102: Introduction to Political Science
- POE116: Introduction to International Relations
- GOE202: Introduction to Political Geography
- POE205: Canadian Politics and Society
- POE214: Comparitive Politics
- POE218: International Relations Theory
- POE220: Research and Methods
- POE312: Classical Political Philosophy or POE314: Modern Political Philosophy
- POE492: Seminar in Political Science
Optional courses
Students may enroll in courses from any of the three streams as well as no more than four cross-listed courses offered by other departments, of which three should be at the 400-level in order complete the required 20 credits. The remaining 2 credits can be taken from any discipline in order to achieve the undergraduate minimum total of 40 credits
B.A. Political Science
A 40 credit programme, including the core courses for arts programmes, with a minimum of 16 credits in Political Science.
Mandatory courses
- POE102: Introduction to Political Science
- POE116: Introduction to International Relations
- POE205: Canadian Politics and Society
- POE214: Comparitive Politics
- POE218: International Relations Theory
- POE220: Research and Methods
- POE312: Classical Political Philosophy or POE314: Modern Political Philosophy
Optional courses
Students may enroll in courses from any of the three streams as well as no more than four cross-listed courses offered by other departments, of which three should be at the 400-level in order complete the required 16 credits. The remaining 6 credits can be taken from any discipline in order to achieve the undergraduate minimum total of 40 credits
It should be noted that “POE490: Directed Readings in Politics,” can be offered as an optional course in each of the fields, but can be taken only once.
Political Science Foundation and Streams
- Students enrolled in either the B.A (Honours) Political Science or the B.A. in Political Science will complete all four Foundation courses (some of which are also part of the RMC Core Curriculum) as well as the key courses for each of three streams.
- Additional courses may be taken in any of the three streams: Canada, World, or Advanced Topics. Each stream has a key course (in bold) that once taken, opens the rest of the stream to the student:
Foundation
- POE116: Introduction to International Relations
- POE220: Research Methods
- GOE202: Introduction to Political Geography
In addition to the above three, students will select one of either:
Canada
- POE205: Canadian Politics and Society
- POE301: Indigenous Issues in Canadian Politics
- POE328 : Canadian Political Institutions
- POE332: Public Administration in Canada
- POE334: Canadian Public Policy
- POE416: Canadian Foreign and Security Policy
- POE438: Canadian Political Parties, Elections and Public Opinion
- POE440: Foresight Tools and Methods for Public Policy
- POE452: Topics in Canadian Politics
- POE456: Topics in public Administration and Policy
- POE484: The Canadian Judicial System
- GOE302: Canadian Geography
- GOF422: Géographie politique du Canada (in French only)
World
- POE218: International Relations Theory
- POE210: International Organizations
- POE317: Introduction to Strategic Studies (required for MSS)
- POE319: Terrorism: History and Strategy
- POE324: International Organizations
- POE374: Science, Technology and Public Policy
- POE410: International Conflict Management
- POE413: Nuclear Weapons & International Relations
- POE414: Contemporary International Issues and Events (required for MSS)
- POE415: Contemporary International Conflict (required for MSS)
- POE435: Terrorism and Political Violence
- POE436: International Law of the Sea
- POE441: Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation
- POE442: Secessionist Movements in the World
- POE453: Topics in International Relations
- POE486: Air and Space Law
- POE488: The Law of Armed Conflict
- GOE404: Issues in Contemporary Geopolitics
- GOF420: Fondements géopolitiques du droit international
- GOE450: Topics in Political Geography
- GOE494: Directed Readings/Area Study in Geography
Advanced topics
- POE214: Comparative Politics
- POE337: Theories of the State
- POE411: American Political Institutions and Security Policy
- POE412: American Foreign and Security Policy
- POE421: Political Ideologies
- POE425: Regional Comparative Politics
- POE428: Contemporary Political Theory
- POE432: Civil-Military Relations
- POE433: Public Choice
- POE434: Comparative Studies in Development
- POE437: Contemporary regimes: States and Nations
- POE454: Topics in Comparative Politics
- POE455: Topics in Political Theory
- GOE305: World Regional Geography: Europe and /or the Americas
- GOE307: World Regional Geography: Asia and /or Africa
- GOE418: Approaches to Cultural and Historical Geography
- GOE470: Problems in Political Geography: Focus on Europe and Former Soviet Union
- GOE472: Understanding Post-Soviet Europe and Asia
Notes:
- In addition, B.A. (Honours) students will also take POE492: Seminar in Political Science
- POE490: Directed Reading is not allocated to any particular stream, but may be taken by a student under the direct supervision of a faculty member, but may only be taken once.
Political studies cross-listed courses
Students may enroll in no more than four cross-listed courses offered by other departments, of which three should be at the 400-level.
- ECE242: Introduction to Statistics
- ECE244: Introduction to Defence Economics
- ECE246: Introduction to Health Economics
- ECE411: Public Finance
- ECE424: Economics of Defence
- ECE428: Economics of National Security
- ECE444: Economics of the Environment
- ECE448: Cost-Benefit Analysis
- GOE202: Introduction to Political Geography
- GOE470: Problems in Political Geography: Focus on Europe and Former Soviet Union
- GOE472: Understanding Post-Soviet Europe and Asia
- HIE289: The Impact of Science and Technology on Society and the Environment
- HIE360: The Rise of Peacekeeping
- HIE362: History of Peacekeeping since 1980
- HIE405: History of the Relations between Canada and the United States
- HIE406: Canadian External Relations
- HIE452: War, Peace and Civil Society in Modern History
- PSE452: Advanced Research Methods in Behavioural Sciences
Political Science Programme Outlines
The following tables are examples of a typical outline, by year, of a B.A. (Honours) Political Science programme of study or a B.A. Political Science programme of study that would cover the required courses.
B.A. (Honours) Political Science
| Semester | Fall year 1 |
Winter year 1 |
Fall year 2 |
Winter year 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||||
| Semester total | 5 credits | 5 credits | 5 credits | 5 credits |
| Semester | Fall year 3 |
Winter year 3 |
Fall year 4 |
Winter year 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||||
| Semester total | 5 credits | 5 credits | 5 credits | 5 credits |
B.A. Political Science
| Semester | Fall year 1 |
Winter year 1 |
Fall year 2 |
Winter year 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||||
| Semester total | 5 credits | 5 credits | 5 credits | 5 credits |
| Semester | Fall year 3 |
Winter year 3 |
Fall year 4 |
Winter year 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||||
| Semester total | 5 credits | 5 credits | 5 credits | 5 credits |
Minor in Political Science
- The requirements for the Minor are 8 credits in Political Science.
- Only Political Science courses count towards a Minor in Political Science.
- Students choosing to Minor in Political Science must obtain a minimum average of B- in their 3 best courses of the Minor and courses within the RMC core (POE116 and POE205) count towards a minor in Political Science.
Economics Programme Requirements
Students successfully completing their first year in Arts are eligible for entry into the programme leading to a B.A. (Honours) Economics or a B.A. Economics. The first year Economics courses are part of the core compulsory courses and will count toward the degree requirements noted below. In consultation with the Chair of Economics, students will select courses each year which fulfil the degree requirements that are best suited to students’ interests.
B.A. (Honours) Economics
A 40 credit programme, including the core courses for arts programmes, with a minimum of 20 credits in Economics.
Mandatory Courses
- ECE103: Introduction to Microeconomics
- ECE104: Introduction to Macroeconomics
- ECE206: Macroeconomic Theory and Policy I
- ECE224: Microeconomics I
- ECE242: Introduction to Statistics
- ECE256: Modelling in Economics
- ECE308: Macroeconomic Theory and Policy II
- ECE326: Microeconomics II
- ECE342: Introduction to Econometrics
- ECE424: The Economics of Defence or ECE428: Economics of National Security
- ECE454: Topics in Microeconomic Analysis
- ECE456: Topics in Macroeconomic Analysis
- ECE492: Economics Seminar
Optional Courses
Minimum of 7 credits from the following
- ECE246: Introduction to Health Economics
- ECE300: Money; Financial Institutions and Markets
- ECE310: Introduction to Political Economy
- ECE312: The Development of Economic Ideas
- ECE320: Industrial Organization
- ECE330: Labour Economics
- ECE332: Sports Economics
- ECE336: International Financial Management
- ECE411: Public Finance
- ECE417: International Economics
- ECE442: Applied Econometrics
- ECE444: Economics of the Environment
- ECE448: Cost Benefit Analysis
- ECE490: Directed Readings in Economics
Or any credits from the following, with the approval of the programme chair:
- BAE300: Finance
- BAE400: Advanced Finance
- BAE436: Public Financial Management
- POE332: Public Administration in Canada
- POE456: Topics in Public Administration and Policy
Note: Any other course approved by the programme chair.
B.A. Economics
A 40 credit programme, including the core courses for arts programmes, with a minimum of 16 credits in Economics.
Mandatory Courses
- ECE103: Introduction to Microeconomics
- ECE104: Introduction to Macroeconomics
- ECE206: Macroeconomic Theory and Policy I
- ECE224: Microeconomics I
- ECE242: Introduction to Statistics
- ECE256: Modelling in Economics
- ECE308: Macroeconomic Theory and Policy II or ECE326: Microeconomics II Note8
- ECE342: Introduction to Econometrics
- ECE424: The Economics of Defence or ECE428: Economics of National Security Note8
- ECE454: Topics in Microeconomic Analysis or ECE456: Topics in Macroeconomic Analysis Note8
- ECE492: Economics Seminar
Optional Courses
Minimum of 5 credits from the following:
- ECE246: Introduction to Health Economics
- ECE300: Money; Financial Institutions and Markets
- ECE310: Introduction to Political Economy
- ECE312: The Development of Economic Ideas
- ECE314: Economic History of Canada
- ECE320: Industrial Organization
- ECE332: Sports Economics
- ECE336: International Financial Management
- ECE411: Public Finance
- ECE417: International Economics
- ECE442: Applied Econometrics
- ECE444: Economics of the Environment
- ECE448: Cost Benefit Analysis
- ECE490: Directed Readings in Economics
Or any credits from the following (with the approval of the Programme Chair):
- BAE300: Finance
- BAE400: Advanced Finance
- BAE436: Public Financial Management
- POE332: Public Administration in Canada
Note: Any other course approved by the Programme Chair.
Economics Programme Outlines
The following tables are examples of a typical outline, by year, of a B.A. (Honours) Economics programme of study or a B.A. Economics programme of study that would cover the required courses.
B.A. (Honours) Economics
| Semester | Fall year 1 |
Winter year 1 |
Fall year 2 |
Winter year 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||||
| Semester total | 5 credits | 5 credits | 5 credits | 5 credits |
| Semester | Fall year 3 |
Winter year 3 |
Fall year 4 |
Winter year 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||||
| Semester total | 5 credits | 5 credits | 5 credits | 5 credits |
B.A. Economics
| Semester | Fall year 1 |
Winter year 1 |
Fall year 2 |
Winter year 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||||
| Semester total | 5 credits | 5 credits | 5 credits | 5 credits |
| Semester | Fall year 3 |
Winter year 3 |
Fall year 4 |
Winter year 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||||
| Semester total | 5 credits | 5 credits | 5 credits | 5 credits |
Minor in Economics
The requirements for the Minor are 8 credits in the discipline:
- The First Year courses in Economics can count toward the Minor.
- Students choosing to Minor in Economics must maintain a minimum of a B- average in their three best courses of the Minor.
Mandatory courses:
- ECE103: Introduction to Microeconomics
- ECE104: Introduction to Macroeconomics
- ECE206: Macroeconomic Theory and Policy I
- ECE224: Microeconomics I
- ECE242: Introduction to Statistics
- ECE308: Macroeconomic Theory and Policy II or ECE326: Microeconomics II
- 2 credits in Economics at the 300-400 level.
Certificate in Applied Economics
This 8-credit certificate is intended to expand knowledge of the key fields of economics within the defence community. The courses provide an introduction to economics and credits may be applied to B.M.A.Sc. or B.A. (Gen).
Mandatory courses (4 credits)
- ECE103: Introduction to Microeconomics
- ECE104: Introduction to Macroeconomics
- ECE206: Macroeconomic Theory and Policy I
- ECE224: Microeconomics I
Optional courses (4 credits chosen from the following)
- BAE206: Fundamentals of Management
- BAE242: Quantitative Methods I
- ECE226: International Macroeconomics
- ECE242: Introduction to Statistics
- ECE244: Introduction to Defence Economics
- ECE246: Introduction to Health Economics
- ECE310: Introduction to Political Economy
- MAE384 - Analytics and the Operational Planning Process
- POE205: Canadian Politics and Society
- Any other credits with the approval of the programme chair
Business Economics Programme
Students successfully completing their first year in Arts are eligible for entry into the programme leading to a B.A. (Honours) Business Economics or a B.A. Business Economics Degree.
There are two streams:
- Economics stream for those who wish to have more economics contents and;
- Business Administration stream for those who elect to have more business courses.
Graduates of the Business Economics may normally pursue graduate studies in Economics or Business Administration without taking additional courses.
Students must declare their stream by the end of Year 2. The first year Economics courses are part of the core compulsory courses and will count toward the degree requirements noted below. In consultation with the Chair of Economics, students will select courses each year which fulfil the degree requirements that are best suited to students’ interests.
The Business Economics programme is designed for students who wish to combine the study of economics and business administration. Students have the choice between an Economics stream and a Business Administration stream. In addition, students have the choice between a B.A. (Honours) and a B.A. (40 credits) including the core courses for arts programmes.
Economics Stream
Mandatory Courses (17 credits)
- BAE202: Financial Accounting
- BAE206: Fundamentals of Management
- BAE220: Introduction to Information TechnologyNote
- BAE300: Finance
- BAE314: Marketing Fundamentals
- BAE326: Human Resources Management
- BAE330: Organizational Theory
- BAE344: Operations Management
- ECE206: Macroeconomic Theory and Policy I
- ECE224: Microeconomics I
- ECE242: Introduction to Statistics
- ECE256: Modelling in Economics
- ECE308: Macroeconomics Theory and Policy II
- ECE326: Microeconomics II
- ECE342: Introduction to Econometrics
- ECE454: Topics in Microeconomic Analysis or ECE456: Topics in Macroeconomic Analysis
- ECE492: Economics Seminar
B.A. (Honours) Business Economics (Economics stream)
- 2 optional Economics credits at the 300/400 level
- 1 optional Business Administration credit at the 300/400 level
B.A. Business Economics (Economics stream)
- 2 optional Economics credits at the 300/400 level
- 1 elective
Business Administration Stream
Mandatory Courses (16 credits)
- BAE202: Financial Accounting
- BAE206: Fundamentals of Management
- BAE208: Managerial Accounting
- BAE220: Introduction to Information Technology
- NoteBAE300: Finance
- BAE314: Marketing Fundamentals
- BAE326: Human Resources Management
- BAE330: Organizational Theory
- BAE344: Operations Management
- ECE206: Macroeconomic Theory and Policy I
- ECE224: Microeconomics I
- ECE242: Introduction to Statistics
- ECE256: Modelling in Economics
- ECE308: Macroeconomics Theory and Policy II
- ECE326: Microeconomics II
- ECE454: Topics in Microeconomic Analysis or ECE456: Topics in Macroeconomic Analysis
B.A. (Honours) Business Economics (Business Administration stream)
- 3 optional Business Administration credits at the 300/400 level
- 1 optional Economics credits at the 300/400 level
B.A. Business Economics (Business Administration stream)
- 2 optional Business Administration credits at the 300/400 level
- 1 optional Economics credits at the 300/400 level
- 1 elective
Optional courses in economics
- ECE300: Money; Financial Institutions and Markets
- ECE310: Introduction to Political Economy
- ECE312: The Development of Economic Ideas
- ECE320: Industrial Organization
- ECE330: Labour Economics
- ECE332: Sports Economics
- ECE336: International Financial Management
- ECE411: Public Finance
- ECE417: International Economics
- ECE424: The Economics of Defence
- ECE428: Economics of National Security
- ECE442: Applied Econometrics
- ECE444: Economics of the Environment
- ECE448: Cost Benefit Analysis
- ECE490: Directed Readings in Economics
Optional courses in business administration
- BAE302: Intermediate Accounting I
- BAE310: Audit
- BAE336: International Financial Management
- BAE364: Decision Analysis
- BAE400: Advanced Finance
- BAE404: Intermediate Management Accounting
- BAE406: Management of Technology
- BAE408: Management Control Systems
- BAE410: Information Systems
- BAE412: e-Business
- BAE416: Quantitative Analysis
- BAE418: Intermediate Marketing
- BAE420: Business Law
- BAE422: Business Ethics
- BAE426: Labour Relations
- BAE434: Managerial Challenges in Organizational Behaviour
- BAE436: Public Financial Management
- BAE438: Strategic Management
- BAE440: International Management
- BAE442: Project Management
- BAE444: Supply Chain Management
- BAE446: Operations Planning
- BAE448: Selected Readings in Management
- BAE450: Advanced Topics in Management
- BAE452: Business Policy
- BAE454: Seminar in Entrepreneurship
- BAE460: Consumer Behaviour
- BAE462: Brand Strategy
- BAE464: Organizational Change and Culture
- BAE466: Management of Health and Safety at Work
- BAE468: Training and Development
- BAE472: Strategic Management II
Note: Any other course approved by the Chair of Economics.
Business Economics Programme Outline
The following table is an example of a typical outline, by year, of a B.A. (Honours) Business Economics programme of study or a B.A. Business Economics programme of study that would cover the required courses.
B.A. (Honours) and B.A. Business Economics (all streams)
| Semester | Fall year 1 |
Winter year 1 |
Fall year 2 |
Winter year 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||||
| Semester total | 5 credits | 5 credits | 6 credits | 6 credits |
B.A. (Honours) Business Economics (economics stream)
| Semester | Fall year 3 |
Winter year 3 |
Fall year 4 |
Winter year 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||||
| Semester total | 6 credits | 4 credits | 4 credits | 4 credits |
B.A. Business Economics (economics stream)
| Semester | Fall year 3 |
Winter year 3 |
Fall year 4 |
Winter year 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||||
| Semester total | 5 credits | 4 credits | 5 credits | 4 credits |
B.A. (Honours) Business Economics (business administration stream)
| Semester | Fall year 3 |
Winter year 3 |
Fall year 4 |
Winter year 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||||
| Semester total | 5 credits | 5 credits | 4 credits | 4 credits |
B.A. Business Economics (business administration stream)
| Semester | Fall year 3 |
Winter year 3 |
Fall year 4 |
Winter year 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||||
| Semester total | 5 credits | 5 credits | 4 credits | 4 credits |