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:

Political Science papers

100 Level 200 Level 300 Level 500 Level 800 Level 900 Level
Code and paper title Points
INTRL100 International Relations of the Indo-Pacific right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

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)
INTRL206 International Relations: The Security Agenda right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

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 right arrow

120 25X (Hamilton)
Code and paper title Points
POLSC900 Political Science PhD Thesis right arrow

120 25I (Hamilton) & 25J (Hamilton) & 25K (Hamilton) & 25X (Hamilton)
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2025 Catalogue of Papers information current as of 28 Sep 2024 01:00am