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Department of Political Science

Faculty of Social Sciences

Minor in Public Leadership

This minor is intended to provide students with a strong theoretical, practical and applied understanding of leadership and the role that political and/or public actors can play in the public domain of both democratic and non-democratic states to achieve their policy goals, affect positive social change and impact the policy choices of governments. Students will be prepared for further studies or careers in politics, government, public policy, community organization and activism, education, human rights and law.

MinorMinor in Public Leadership

This minor is intended to provide students with a strong theoretical, practical and applied understanding of leadership and the role that political and/or public actors can play in the public domain of both democratic and non-democratic states to achieve their policy goals, affect positive social change and impact the policy choices of governments. Students will be prepared for further studies or careers in politics, government, public policy, community organization and activism, education, human rights and law.

This minor is intended to provide students with a strong theoretical, practical and applied understanding of leadership and the role that political and/or public actors can play in the public domain of both democratic and non-democratic states to achieve their policy goals, affect positive social change and impact the policy choices of governments.  Students will be prepared for further studies or careers in politics, government, public policy, community organization and activism, education, human rights and law.

Students will select courses from the Faculty of Social Sciences that address these themes, developing a strong interdisciplinary grasp on the different concepts of leadership and their application to different policy and public environments. Beyond the required courses, students will be able to select from a wide variety of courses that cater to their own interests.

It is the student’s responsibility to check carefully for prerequisites, co-requisites and enrolment restrictions of all courses in this list. Students are encouraged to speak to their Faculty advisors about Faculty-specific rules about double-counting courses for the minor.

24 units total

 

3 Units   Foundations of Public Policy, Public Administration and Public Service

  • POL SCI 2U03 - Public Policy and Administration

 

3 Units Leadership and Leadership Practices

  • POL SCI 3FG3 - Public Service Leadership
  • SOC SCI 2LC3 – Leadership and Communications for the Not-For-For Profit Sector
  • SOC SCI 3EL3 – Leadership Through Experiential Learning

 

6 Units  Spaces, Places and Needs for Public Leadership

  • POL SCI 2F03 - Politics, Power and Influence in Canada
  • POL SCI 2H03 - Globalization and the State
  • POL SCI 2XX3 - Politics of the Developing World
  • POLSCI 3PB3 - Politics from Below
  • RELIGST 2ER3
  • RELIGST 2VR3
  • SCAR 2ER3 - Religion, the Body, and the Machine
  • SCAR 2VR3 - Violence and Religion

 

12 Units  Other Aspects of Leadership

  • POL SCI 3BB3 - Political Communication
  • POL SCI 3C03 - Government and Politics of Indigenous People
  • POL SCI 3EE3 - International Relations: North and South
  • POL SCI 3F03 - Contemporary Social Movements and Popular Coalitions
  • POL SCI 3G03 - Ethnicity and Multiculturalism
  • POL SCI 3J03 – Canadian Politics and Public Policy
  • POL SCI 3K03 - Migration and Citizenship
  • POL SCI 3LB3 - Globalization and the World Order
  • POL SCI 3LL3 - Development and Public Policy
  • POL SCI 3V03 - Gender and Politics
  • POL SCI 3VV3 - Democratic Theory
  • POL SCI 3Y03 - Democratization and Human Rights
  • POL SCI 3Z03 - Canadian Public Sector: Implementation of Policies
  • POL SCI 4O06 – Canadian Politics
  • RELIGST 3CC3
  • SCAR 3CC3/POLSCI 3LA3 - Religion and Politics

If you are enrolled in a four- or five-level program (with the exception of the Medical Radiation Sciences program which is a three-level program offered over a four-year period), you are eligible to obtain a Minor in Public Leadership. Please note that in order to declare a Minor in Public Leadership, at least 12 units (above Level I) must be elective to the degree.

In the final year of a program, to apply for a Minor, students must complete the Minor/Certificate Application in addition to their online Graduation Information Centre (GIC) application. The student’s Faculty will verify that the requirements have been met and, if successful, the transcript will indicate that a Minor has been obtained. Minors cannot be revoked once approved.

Undergraduate Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards

All undergraduate students accepted for admission to McMaster University are automatically considered for a McMaster University entrance award. Additional entrance awards, in-course scholarships, bursaries and other forms of financial assistance are available to you at various stages of their undergraduate careers.

Each scholarship, bursary, Government Aid or Work Study Program a(DELETE) has its own unique application process and requirements. More information on financial aid visit the Student Financial Aid & Scholarship (SFAS) Office.

The Clarke Prizes in Advocacy and Active Citizenship

Established in 2014 by Ryan Clarke (Class of '88) and Leanna Clarke to reward distinguished advocacy demonstrated by students at McMaster University who are - or wish to - advocate for some type of meaningful social and/or political change.

Parliamentary Internship Programs

 

Fall / Winter 2022-2023

Undergraduate Chair 
Dr. Todd Alway
alwayto@mcmaster.ca

Political Science Academic Advisor
Dr. Robert O'Brien
obrienr@mcmaster.ca

Recruitment, Awards & Scholarship Coordinator
Dr. Nibaldo Galleguillos
gallegui@mcmaster.ca

Careers, Experiential & Alumni Coordinator
Dr. Lana Wylie
wyliel@mcmaster.ca

Academic Advising

The Academic Advising office is run through the Office of the Associate Dean. The primary goal of the Advising Office is to provide all Social Sciences undergraduate students with the information and guidance they need to succeed in their academic careers.

Advisors can help you make the right academic decisions by explaining policies and regulations as well as presenting different options and supports available in your studies.

An academic advisor can assist you with:

  • Course requirements, dropping and adding courses
  • Program selection, application and changes
  • Studying abroad
  • Transfer credits
  • Petitions for missed term work, deferred examinations and special consideration
  • Appeals procedures
  • Referral to other campus services

Learn more about Academic Advising in the Social Sciences.

2022/2023 Undergraduate Calendar Understanding Level 1 Internships & Experiential Education McMaster / Mohawk Affiliated Certificates Soc Sci Courses Apply Now
For more information:
Department of Political Science
KTH 527
905-525-9140 ext. 24741
binnies@mcmaster.ca
Length:
N/A
Required Credential:
Enrolment in an Honours program.
Program Type:
Course based
Program Options:
Full-time, Part-time
Typical Entry:
January, September
Current Deadline:
April