Director’s Message

Hello and Welcome to the York University’s Graduate Program in Political Science!

York’s graduate program in political science in a lively, engaged community of scholars working and researching across a wide range of contemporary issues. We are committed to pursuing critical analyses of social, political and economic problems in the world around us and are actively engaged to foster political change, democratic education and social justice. Our program prides itself on creating spaces where students and faculty can engage in dialogue to critically evaluate assumptions and beliefs about society and politics and to understand and explore the power relations that permeate our lives.

The graduate program is home to approximately 100 faculty members and about 200 students from Canada and abroad, and across all levels of graduate studies. This makes us one of the largest graduate programs in political science in the country. Moreover, York’s graduate program in political science has a strong international reputation as one of the top graduate programs in critical political science.

Our program is divided into five different fields (Canadian Politics, Comparative Politics, Gender and Politics, International Relations and Political Theory) and students are encouraged to explore courses and research topics from across these fields. A wide variety of graduate level Courses address issues such as race, religion, and politics; international political economy; critical social theory; social and labour movements and social justice; feminist and intersectional approaches; justice and democracy; indigenous politics; urban politics and a wide range of regional and geographic expertise. Besides gaining disciplinary training in an internationally leading political science program, many of our students enrich their studies through involvement in York’s independent, interdisciplinary research centres or by completing interdisciplinary graduate diplomas in specialized areas, such as Democratic Administration, International & Security Studies, Latin America & Caribbean Studies, Refugee & Migration Studies, Asian Studies, and European Studies, among others.

Our alumni work in the academy in Canada and abroad, as well as in all levels of government and public agencies, NGOs, labour unions, and non-profit sector. Many of our graduates go on to law school, or to work in business, and journalism sectors. On these webpages, you will find lots of information about our faculty, students, areas of research and expertise as well as our courses, ongoing events and other. We look forward to working with you and having you as part of our diverse and vibrant community.

Heather MacRae
Graduate Program Director

_{A photo of Professor Heather MacRae}