Political Science Subject regulations
In Political Science we study all aspects of political life. We ask such questions as: Why do some crises lead to conflict while others are resolved peacefully? What lessons can we draw from the policy experience of other countries? How should we deal with climate change and other environmental crises? Why does democracy survive in some countries and not in others? Can we have both freedom and security - or must we choose between them? What did the great political thinkers of the past really say? Political Science comprises four main areas of study. Comparative Politics examines the political institutions and societies of particular countries and compares and contrasts them. International Relations focuses on the relations between states, on their foreign policies, and on international organisations like the UN and NATO. Political Theory examines theories about politics and society, and the philosophical and methodological questions that arise in studying political life. Public Policy explores the processes by which governments at national, regional and local levels develop, implement and evaluate policies. Students taking political science papers may focus on one or more of these areas or follow a broader programme reflecting the diverse interests of political science.
Political Science is available as a first major for the Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Climate Change (BCC) and the Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc). Political Science may also be taken as a second major or minor, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.
To complete Political Science as a single major for the BA, BCC or BSocSc, students must gain 135 points from papers listed for Political Science, including 105 points above 100 level, and 60 points above 200 level. Students must complete 30 points at 100 level from any POLSC coded paper, 45 points at 200 level from any POLSC coded paper, 30 points at 300 level from any POLSC coded paper, and 30 points at 300 level from any POLSC coded or INTRL coded paper.
To complete Political Science as part of a double major for the BA, BCC, BSocSc or other undergraduate degree, students must gain 120 points from papers listed for Political Science, including 90 points above 100 level, and 45 points above 200 level. Students must complete 30 points at 100 level from any POLSC coded paper, 45 points at 200 level from any POLSC coded paper, 30 points at 300 level from any POLSC coded paper, and 15 points at 300 level from any POLSC coded or INTRL coded paper.
To complete a minor in Political Science, students must complete 60 points from POLSC-coded papers, including at least 30 points above 100 level. Students must include at least one 100 level POLSC coded paper and one 200 level POLSC coped paper.
Other qualifications
Prescriptions for:
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GradCert(PolSc) and GradDip(PolSc) A Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are available to graduates who have not included Political Science at an advanced level in their first degree.
For further details, contact the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences Office.
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PGCert(PolSc), PGDip(PolSc), BA(Hons), BSocSc(Hons), MA and MSocSc To complete a BA(Hons) or BSocSc(Hons) in Political Science, students must gain 120 points at 500 level, including at least 30 points in research and at least 30 points from papers listed for Political Science.
The qualification regulations define the admission requirements for enrolment into the MA or MSocSc in Political Science.
Completion requirements for the MA or MSocSc in Political Science vary according to admission criteria:
Students admitted under a) above must complete 180 points from approved 500 level papers, including at least 45 points from the papers listed for the subject in List A: Advanced Study of the regulations for the MA or MSocSc. Within the 180 points students must also complete ALPSS500, and at least 60 points from IRSST502, POLSC503, or POLSC537, and at least 45 points from the papers listed for the subject in List A: Advanced Study of the regulations for the MA or MSocSc.
Students admitted under b) above, must complete 120 points from approved 500-level papers, including at least 45 points from the papers listed for the subject in List A: Advanced Study of the regulations for the MA or MSocSc.
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MPhil The Master of Philosophy is a one year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
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PhD The Doctor of Philosophy is a three year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
Political Science papers
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
INTRL100
International Relations of the Indo-Pacific
The paper introduces international relations theories and concepts related to the Indo-Pacific region. It guides students through the region's... |
15 | 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Online) |
|
INTRL103
Introduction to International Relations
This paper provides an introduction to the study of international relations in an era of globalisation. It covers the historical background, key... |
15 | 25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Online) |
|
POLSC102
New Zealand Politics and Policy
This paper provides a foundation for the study of political science and public policy, with a particular focus on the study of government, politics... |
15 | 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga) |
|
POLSC103
Introduction to Political Psychology
Politics affects every aspect of our lives. This paper is an introduction to understanding political behaviour, helping you become more critically... |
15 | 25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
ANTHY201
Patriots, Racists, and Foreigners: Ethnicity and Identity in Global Perspective
This paper focuses on ethnicity and related categories of division such as "race" and nation. It explores how these concepts link to identity in... |
15 | 25A (Hamilton) |
|
ANTHY208
Protest Movements in the Asia-Pacific
This paper is about how people across the Asia-Pacific region act collectively to challenge the status quo of powerful political, social, economic... |
15 | 25B (Hamilton) |
|
INTRL200
New Zealand Foreign Policy and Great Power Competition
This course delivers a comprehensive historical overview of New Zealand foreign policy from the beginning of the 20th century, and considers the role... |
15 | 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Online) |
|
INTRL206
International Relations: The Security Agenda
This paper introduces students to International Relations' dynamic and evolving security agenda and covers some of the most urgent contemporary... |
15 | 25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Online) |
|
POLSC200
Politics and the Media
This course provides an introduction to the complex relationships between mass media, politics, and democratic society. It examines the power of the... |
15 | 25B (Online) & 25B (Tauranga) |
|
POLSC201
Modern Political Thinkers
This course examines the ideas of a number of modern political thinkers such as Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Hegel, and Marx. |
15 | 25B (Online) |
|
POLSC211
Political Systems around the World
The paper introduces the comparative study of political institutions, the study of the politics of a number of countries, their similarities and... |
15 | 25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Online) |
|
POLSC212
Public Policy Analysis
This paper introduces students to public policy analysis. Students focus on the role of politics, public participation and policy in addressing... |
15 | 25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Online) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
ALPSS390
Directed Study
This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology, and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their... |
15 | 25X (Hamilton) |
|
ANTHY300
Culture and Power in the Pacific
This paper examines the cultural logics of different systems of political action, leadership and ideology in Pacific Island societies. |
15 | 25B (Hamilton) |
|
GNSEX303
Intersectionalities: Identities and Inequalities
This paper provides a comprehensive review of the historical context for understanding contemporary issues of race, gender, sexuality, and social... |
15 | 25A (Hamilton) |
|
INTRL301
Geopolitics in the New World Disorder
This paper teaches and utilises major international relations theories to consider pressing global issues. This includes the causes of war and peace... |
15 | 25A (Hamilton) |
|
INTRL315
Diplomacy and Politics in Asia
It provides an introduction to, and analysis of, critical issues in Asia. Issues may include some, or all, of the Kashmir dispute; the situation on... |
15 | 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Online) |
|
POLSC305
Memory Politics: Uses and Abuses of the Past
Students learn about the ways in which collective memories of the historical past matter in the present and explore how political actors seek to... |
15 | 25B (Hamilton) |
|
POLSC307
US Politics
Students in this course explore the foundational elements of the United States, its governing institutions, the extent of public influence within the... |
15 | 25A (Online) & 25A (Tauranga) |
|
POLSC318
Global Environmental Politics and Policy
This paper explores contemporary debates on environmental politics, sustainability, justice, and environmental governance. It examines the political... |
15 | 25A (Hamilton) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
ALPSS500
Academic & Professional Research & Writing
In this course, students will gain the skills and confidence to seamlessly transition from study to work. This course works to enhance the 'skills... |
30 | 25A (Online) & 25B (Online) |
|
ALPSS590
Directed Study
This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their... |
30 | 25X (Hamilton) |
|
ALPSS591
Research Project
A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 12,500 words maximum). |
30 | 25X (Hamilton) & 25X (Tauranga) |
|
ALPSS592
Dissertation
A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 25,000 words maximum). |
60 | 25X (Hamilton) & 25X (Tauranga) |
|
INTRL500
Diplomacy and Politics in Asia: Advanced Study
This paper provides a theoretical and empirical research foundation for analysing Asian politics and diplomatic practices. |
30 | 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Online) |
|
INTRL506
Geopolitics in the New World Disorder: Advanced Study
This paper teaches and utilises major international relations theories to consider pressing global issues. This includes the causes of war and peace... |
30 | 25A (Hamilton) |
|
POLSC501
Policy Analysis: Theory and Practice
This paper introduces students to the fundamentals of policy analysis, and develops skills for higher-level research in public policy. A key focus is... |
30 | 25A (Hamilton) |
|
POLSC505
Memory Politics: Advanced Study
Students learn about the ways in which collective memories of the historical past matter in the present and explore how political actors seek to... |
30 | 25B (Hamilton) |
|
POLSC507
US Politics
Students will gain from a more detailed understanding of the US political system, and the advanced political science literature dedicated to... |
30 | 25A (Online) & 25A (Tauranga) |
|
POLSC537
Environmental Politics and Public Policy
This paper introduces students to the complexities and challenges of environmental policy processes, and develops skills in scholarly research on... |
30 | 25A (Hamilton) |
|
POLSC593
Political Science Thesis
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. |
90 | 25X (Hamilton) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
POLSC800
Political Science MPhil Thesis
|
120 | 25X (Hamilton) |
| Code and paper title | Points | |
|---|---|---|
|
POLSC900
Political Science PhD Thesis
|
120 | 25I (Hamilton) & 25J (Hamilton) & 25K (Hamilton) & 25X (Hamilton) |
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INTRL100 International Relations of the Indo-Pacific
The paper introduces international relations theories and concepts related to the Indo-Pacific region. It guides students through the region's...
Points 15This paper provides an introduction to the study of international relations in an era of globalisation. It covers the historical background, key...
Points 15This paper provides a foundation for the study of political science and public policy, with a particular focus on the study of government, politics...
Points 15Politics affects every aspect of our lives. This paper is an introduction to understanding political behaviour, helping you become more critically...
Points 15 -
ANTHY201 Patriots, Racists, and Foreigners: Ethnicity and Identity in Global Perspective
This paper focuses on ethnicity and related categories of division such as "race" and nation. It explores how these concepts link to identity in...
Points 15This paper is about how people across the Asia-Pacific region act collectively to challenge the status quo of powerful political, social, economic...
Points 15This course delivers a comprehensive historical overview of New Zealand foreign policy from the beginning of the 20th century, and considers the role...
Points 15This paper introduces students to International Relations' dynamic and evolving security agenda and covers some of the most urgent contemporary...
Points 15This course provides an introduction to the complex relationships between mass media, politics, and democratic society. It examines the power of the...
Points 15This course examines the ideas of a number of modern political thinkers such as Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Hegel, and Marx.
Points 15The paper introduces the comparative study of political institutions, the study of the politics of a number of countries, their similarities and...
Points 15This paper introduces students to public policy analysis. Students focus on the role of politics, public participation and policy in addressing...
Points 15 -
ALPSS390 Directed Study
This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology, and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their...
Points 15This paper examines the cultural logics of different systems of political action, leadership and ideology in Pacific Island societies.
Points 15This paper provides a comprehensive review of the historical context for understanding contemporary issues of race, gender, sexuality, and social...
Points 15This paper teaches and utilises major international relations theories to consider pressing global issues. This includes the causes of war and peace...
Points 15It provides an introduction to, and analysis of, critical issues in Asia. Issues may include some, or all, of the Kashmir dispute; the situation on...
Points 15Students learn about the ways in which collective memories of the historical past matter in the present and explore how political actors seek to...
Points 15Students in this course explore the foundational elements of the United States, its governing institutions, the extent of public influence within the...
Points 15This paper explores contemporary debates on environmental politics, sustainability, justice, and environmental governance. It examines the political...
Points 15 -
ALPSS500 Academic & Professional Research & Writing
In this course, students will gain the skills and confidence to seamlessly transition from study to work. This course works to enhance the 'skills...
Points 30This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their...
Points 30A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 12,500 words maximum).
Points 30A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 25,000 words maximum).
Points 60This paper provides a theoretical and empirical research foundation for analysing Asian politics and diplomatic practices.
Points 30This paper teaches and utilises major international relations theories to consider pressing global issues. This includes the causes of war and peace...
Points 30This paper introduces students to the fundamentals of policy analysis, and develops skills for higher-level research in public policy. A key focus is...
Points 30Students learn about the ways in which collective memories of the historical past matter in the present and explore how political actors seek to...
Points 30Students will gain from a more detailed understanding of the US political system, and the advanced political science literature dedicated to...
Points 30This paper introduces students to the complexities and challenges of environmental policy processes, and develops skills in scholarly research on...
Points 30An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
Points 90 -
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POLSC900 Political Science PhD Thesis
Points 120
2025 Catalogue of Papers information current as of 5 Dec 2024 01:00am