Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics

Bachelor of Arts - Economics and Political Studies Major

Economics and politics is the "study of choices" and so is concerned with all areas of our lives. It provides rigorous analysis of many real world subjects: governments, taxes, unemployment, financial markets, international trade, development and economic growth, but also poverty, crime, pollution, health care, education, the environment and many other areas.

The best reason to study economics and politics is to better understand the world and help you make better choices. It can help you become a better citizen and a more rigorous thinker...not to mention its contribution to advancing your career goals.

Major requirements

The Major in Economics and Political Studies requires the completion of at least 57 credits in Economics and Political Science, of which a minimum of 30 credits must be at the upper level (3000- and 4000- level) of which no less than 6 credits must be at the 4000 level.

Students normally declare a major at the beginning of their 3rd year, but they must meet specific lower level requirements to be admitted.

 Lower level requirements
ECON 1900 Principles of Microeconomics
ECON 1950 Principles of Macroeconomics
ECON 2320 Economics and Business Statistics 1
ECON 2430 Global and Canadian Economic Issues*
ECON 2950 Intermediate Macroeconomics 1*
POLI 1110 The Government and Politics of Canada
POLI 1210 Contemporary Ideologies
Two 2000-level electives

*Students may substitute any other ECON course at the 2000-level or above for either ECON 2430 or ECON 2950 but not both.

 Upper level economics and political science requirements (30 credits)
At least five courses (15 credits) from the following:
ECON 3100 Canadian Financial Markets
ECON 3330 Applied Statistics for Economics
ECON 3410 Economics of Climate Change
ECON 3500 Public Finance
ECON 3550 International Economics
ECON 3600 Labour Economics
ECON 3610 The Economics of Gender
ECON 3650 Government and Business
ECON 3670 Economic Analysis of Law
ECON 3690 Community Economic Development
ECON 3700 Benefit-Cost Analysis and the Economics of Project Evaluation
ECON 3710 Environmental Economics
ECON 3730 Forestry Economics
ECON 3740 Land Use Economics
ECON 3840 Economics Analysis of Health Services
ECON 3990 Special Topics in Economics*
ECON 4560 International Macroeconomics and Finance
ECON 4720 Sustainable Economic Development
ECON 4990 Special Topics in Economics*

*ECON 3990 and 4990 can be used only if the special topics covered are related to the major area as determined by an academic advisor.

At least five courses (15 credits) from the following:
POLI 3010 Canadian Political Parties
POLI 3030 Federalism in Canada
POLI 3050 Canadian Political Ideas
POLI 3100 Local Government in Canada
POLI 3200 American Government and Politics
POLI 3420 Modern Political Thought
POLI 3440 Social Political Thought
POLI 3460 Democratic Theory
POLI 3500 The Politics of Mexico
POLI 3520 Politics of Development
POLI 3610 Canadian Foreign Policy
POLI 3640 Introduction to Politics of the Middle East
POLI 3650 Politics and Business
POLI 4010 Canadian Provincial and Regional Politics
POLI 4020 Politics of the Canadian Constitution
POLI 4050 Topics in Canadian Politics
POLI 4060 Topics in Latin American Politics

Upper level courses in ECON and POLI may not be offered every year. Contact an academic advisor to determine what is being scheduled in the coming semesters.