Politics plays a part in almost every aspect of our lives, from the courtroom to the boardroom to the living room. Politics is not only about power and authority, but also about holding those in power accountable, exercising democratic rights and engaging in active citizenship.
Our program is relevant, dynamic and applicable in today’s world. Our location in one of the fastest growing and most diverse places in the globe enriches our unique learning environment, which combines scholarly work and hands-on experience. You’ll learn alongside a diversity of students with a wealth of experiences and world views.
Join our vibrant, internationally recognized community of educators, scholars, practitioners, activists and engaged citizens. Our instructors are leading in several research frontiers, offering the kind of depth and breadth few departments in the world can match. You’ll see them frequently in the public sphere and media, contributing to current debates.
Read our Land Acknowledgment, which recognizes the unique and enduring relationship of Indigenous people and their traditional territory.
Join a dynamic, creative and impactful scholarly community with a mandate to educate for democracy, a clear and demonstrated commitment to student success, and a teaching and learning environment filled with innovation and opportunity.
Critical Thinking
While earning a degree in Political Science, you will understand how to think in a theoretical context and learn how to interpret the meanings of social events as they relate to the political process. You will begin to think critically as you study relevant issues and learn how to assemble data to further your arguments and thought processes.
Political Analysis
Led by our esteemed faculty, you will learn the important themes of the political process and through our diverse course selections you will discover how to analyze social and political trends. A political science degree will teach you the values and processes of political life.
Democratic Awareness
With an emphasis on having an open forum for you to engage in discussions over the most pressing political issues, our political science program is aimed at empowering you with an awareness of how the democratic process works. With this knowledge base you will learn to identify the possibilities that exist to potentially act and bring positive change.
Successful Graduates
Our alumni have pursued graduate studies or established successful careers in law, public service, the private sector, international agencies, advocacy organizations, the media and active politics.
Studying politics is all about bringing the operation of power into the light. From a host of different perspectives our courses in the Department of Politics examine how social power is wielded, by whom, and for whose benefit, whether that be at the level of the state, civil society organizations, social movements, or people in their communities. If you think the study of politics is limited to elections, politicians, and government actions you’ll be in for a surprise in joining us in the York Department of Politics. In addition to these topics our large department of 45 full time faculty members offer courses on the politics of social inequality, capitalism, racialization, gender, the global south, indigeneity, and much more. With more than 150 undergraduate courses offered every year our programs in political science and global politics allow students to follow their interests while gaining relevant skills and experience that will help them both get a job and change the world. And we try to have some fun while doing it.
— Dennis Pilon
Chair, Department of Politics
February 20, 2026
From homelessness to leadership: York student drives global change
February 10, 2026
Politics professor quoted in CBC article about threats to Cuba
