BA Political Economy Concentration

As a graduate of Athabasca University’s Political Economy program, you will get the opportunity to develop a greater appreciation of diverse polities, economics, cultures, and regions of the world. The course selection allows you to critically engage with Canadian and global political and economic issues in an era of globalization. Students may focus their studies in either Global Political Economy or Canadian Political Economy. For more information, visit the Political Ecomomy website.

Athabasca University has developed program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating. Students complete the program regulations in effect at the time of their enrolment.

Did you know? Athabasca University also offers:

• four-year BA Political Economy Major
• Minor in Political Economy (optional)

For specific degree requirements view each program page.

Requirements in addition to the general program requirements for the 3-year BA with Concentration:

1. 60 Political Economy major credits outlined below.
2. A minimum of 15 credits in designated Political Economy concentration core courses. It is strongly recommended that students complete these courses at the beginning of the program.
3. A minimum of 15 credits in one of the two Political Economy areas of focus. Students must take at least one course from Economics, Political Economy, and Political Science.
4. A minimum of 12 credits from the designated Political Economy general electives courses.
5. 18 remaining elective credits selected from: Communication Studies (CMNS); Global Studies (GLST); Governance (GOVN); History (HIST); Information Systems (INFS); Labour Studies (LBST), Industrial Relations (IDRL); Women’s and Gender Studies (WGST); Indigenous Studies (INST).

A minimum of 15 credits in one of the two areas of focus. Students must take at least one course from each of the following areas: Economics, Political Economy, and Political Science.

or

Electives

Select a minimum of 12 credits from the following designated political economy general elective courses. You may also select from Area of Focus I or II provided you have not used the courses already to fulfill the Area of Focus requirement.

18 remaining elective credits selected from the following disciplines:

• Communication Studies (CMNS)
• Global Studies (GLST)
• Governance (GOVN)
• History (HIST)
• Information Systems (INFS)
• Labour Studies (LBST)
• Industrial Relations (IDRL)
• Women’s and Gender Studies (WGST)
• Indigenous Studies (INST)

Recommendations

1. It is strongly recommended that students who want to pursue graduate work in Political Economy or international affairs include among their options, POEC 499.
2. Language proficiency: It is strongly recommended that students in Canadian Study areas who want to pursue employment in the federal civil service or foreign affairs take French as an elective or option. Students interested in North American integration should take Spanish. Likewise, students interested in governance capacity building for First Nations communities should take First Nations language courses. Students interested in the economic integration of Europe should consider taking German. Students are advised that "language proficiency" usually means one of the following:
   • the ability to read French, Spanish, or German at a level consistent with the usual requirements of a junior French language course. This ability may be proven by one of the following: either by completing 6 junior language credits in French (for example French 200 and French 201) or by passing a reading proficiency examination in French, Spanish or German;
   • speak fluently one of Canada’s First Nations languages (for example, Cree or Inuktitut);

     or

   • read one of Canada’s First Nations languages (for example, Cree or Inuktitut), at a level consistent with the usual requirements of a second-year university language course.
3. Writing proficiency: Given the importance of good writing skills for success in post-secondary studies and the workplace, it is strongly recommended that students take ENGL 255 as an elective or option course. Students for whom English is a second language should also take ENGL 177.