Master of Arts in Global Politics

Students in the M.A. in Global Politics are required to complete: 

a) Four (4) international relations courses; one of which must be POLSCI 772 Theories of International Politics

b) One (1) additional graduate course

c) M.A. Colloquium course, POLSCI 775

d) Major Research Paper (10,000 words), POLSCI 708

A. Courses for the M.A. in Global Politics

(Note: not all courses listed are offered each year)

705 Global Public Policy

708 MA Major Research Paper

715 Liberalism and Imperialism

717 Political Violence and Revolution

730 Digital Technology and the Politics of the Information Age

731 Forgetting, Remembering & Finding Actors in IR

734 Marx and Marxisms

756 Politics and Its Others

757 Theories of Political Community

758 Cosmopolitanism and Its Critics

767 Politics of the Global South: An International Relations Perspective

768 Political Economy of Global Climate Change

771 Advanced Concepts in International Relations Theory

772 Theories of International Politics

773 Selected Topics in International Politics

774 Global Political Economy

775 MA Colloquium

776 Advanced Issues in Critical Security Studies

777 Global Governance

778 Methodologies in Critical International Relations

782 Development Theory and Public Administration 

788 From Ottawa to Washington and Beyond: Critical Perspectives on Foreign Policy

789 Global Finance 

796 Research Design and Methods

 

B. Other courses of interest

(Note: not all courses listed are offered each year)

701 Topics in Globalization Studies I (GLOBALST 701)

704 Global Social Policy (GLOBALST 704)

712 International Trade and Development (GLOBALST 712)

718 Global Actors Beyond the State: Methods and Cases (GLOBALST 718)

740 Theories of Comparative Politics

742 Politics of Developing Areas

757 The British Empire and Global Integration, 1815-1960 (HISTORY 757 / GLOBALST 757)

764 Global Power, Local Cultures: Comparative Colonialism in Africa (HISTORY 764 / GLOBALST 764)

 

Selecting your courses

When choosing graduate courses MA Global Politics students should consider the broad range of offerings available in the Department of Political Science, other departments and the Institute on Globalization and the Human Condition. Consider combining your IR courses with others into a theme if you wish to learn about a particular area in depth. Below are some themes and combinations to consider. A “*” indicates an IR listed course.

(Note: not all courses listed are offered each year)

Interested in Developing Countries and Development?

712 International Trade and Development (GLOBALST 712)

742 Politics of Developing Areas

767 Politics of the Global South: An International Relations Perspective*

774 Global Political Economy*

782 Development Theory and Administration*

Interested in Theoretical Approaches to International Relations?

718 Global Actors Beyond the State: Methods & Cases (GLOBALST718)

731 Forgetting, Remembering and Finding Actors in IR*

749 Topics in Gender and Politics

756 Politics and Its Others

757 Theory of Political Community

758 Cosmopolitanism and its Critics*

771 Advanced Concepts in International Relations Theory*

772 Theories of International Politics*

776 Advanced Issues in Critical Security Studies*

Interested in the politics of other countries?

702 Contemporary Problems in Anthropology (ANTHRO 702)

715 Globalization and China (GLOBALST 715)

716 Comparative Authoritarianism

740 Theories of Comparative Politics

764 Global Power, Local Cultures: Comparative Colonialisms in Africa (HISTORY 764 / GLOBALST 764)

Interested in Social Policy / Social Issues?

704 Global Social Policy (GLOBALST 704)

705 Global Public Policy*

708 Health & Aging in a Global & International Context (HLTH AGE 708)

730 Work and Democracy in the Global Society (LABRST 730)

749 Topics in Gender and Politics

Interested in Research Design?

796 Research Design and Methods

MA COLLOQUIUM COURSE

775 MA Colloquium

The Colloquium will take place every second week in the Fall and Winter terms under the leadership of the Convenor. It will be a two hour meeting with all of the MA students. It will consist of faculty presentations highlighting their research and professional development sessions on topics such as grant writing, PhD programs and career information. Other sessions will focus upon skills needed for the Major Research paper (choosing a topic and supervisor, preparing an outline etc.)

MAJOR RESEARCH PAPER

708 Major Research Paper

In addition to completing 18 units of graduate level coursework, students enrolled in the M.A. in Global Politics are required to complete a Major Research Paper (MRP). The MRP process will begin in the fall term with brainstorming about the topic, and will be completed in the spring/summer term following their coursework.  The default option is an individual MRP, but the Department also welcomes collaborative MRPs involving two or more students.

The major research paper (MRP) is an opportunity for students to do an extended piece of research on a topic of their choosing. Additional guidance on the MRP will be provided in the MA Colloquium (POLSCI 775).

Students will be assigned a faculty supervisor through a process orchestrated by the MA Colloquium Convenor. Students will be informed of their supervisor near the end of the fall term. 

MRPs are to be no longer than 10,000 words including all front matter, references and bibliography. That normally leaves 8,000 words for the text which is the length of an average scholarly journal article.

Various assignments and expectations of students in the MA Colloquium course are related to the development of the MRP. More details on these are available in the course outline for the MA Colloquium. For convenience, some key deadlines for these are included in this list:

1. Create profile page and initial statement of research interests on Teams site for Pol Sci 775 MA Colloquium due Monday September 19, 11:59 pm
2. Sample research question, due Monday October 24, 2022, 11:59 pm
3. Formal proposal, for presentation to your Colloquium Topic Group, due Monday January 9, 2023, 9 am
4. MRP “First findings” presentation, transcript due Thursday March 9, 2023
5. Update on your MRP research, due Monday April 3, 2023
6. First full MRP Draft, due Monday, May 8, 2023
7. Second Draft, due Monday, June 5, 2023
8. MRP (final version), due Friday, June 30, 2023

Details on expectations and evaluations of items #1-4 in the above list of deadlines are available in the MA Colloquium course outline (POLSCI 708). Some further details about items #5-7, the first, second, and final drafts of the MRP, are here:

First Draft Copy, due Monday, May 8, 2023
Your first draft copy is to be submitted to your Supervisor by this deadline. Comments will be returned to you on or about Monday, May 22, 2023.

Second Draft Copy, due Monday, June 5, 2023
Your revised second draft is to be submitted to your Supervisor by this deadline. Comments will be returned to you by or about Friday, June 16, 2023.

MRP Final Copy, due Friday, June 30, 2023 by 4:00 p.m.
An electronic copy (PDF) of your MRP in finished form must be submitted to the Graduate Administrative Assistant, Manuela Dozzi at dozzim@mcmaster.ca by 4:00 p.m. EST.

Submission of Assignments

An electronic copy in PDF form must be submitted to the Graduate Administrative Assistant, Manuela Dozzi at dozzim@mcmaster.ca by no later than 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday, June 30, 2023.

Your MRP must be prepared with a word processor, double-spaced, set to paper size of 8 1/2 by 11" paper. The MRP must be in either 10 or 12 point Arial font. Top and left margins should be 3.8 cm and the right and bottom margins should be 2.5 cm. All pages are to be numbered EXCEPT the title page and all pages should have header information containing the degree program, author's name, McMaster University and the department, e.g. MA MRP - A. Smith; McMaster University - Political Science.

Sources must be documented according to the conventions of a recognized academic style (MLA, Chicago, etc.).

Grades

Your MRP will be read and marked by your Supervisory and a second reader, normally chosen by your Supervisory and/or MA Colloquium Convenor.

The MRP is marked on a pass/fail basis. Truly outstanding papers may be given a pass with distinction (P+). We will collate comments from both markers and pass them on to the students by August 31, 2023.

MRPs will be graded and grades will be released informally via email on or about Friday, July 21, 2023. The release of final grades with comments from the Supervisor and second reader will be forwarded via email on or about Tuesday, August 15, 2023. A student whose MRP receives a failing grade will normally have the opportunity to revise and resubmit for August 15, 2023.

International Relations Faculty

The Department has many faculty specializing in International Relations. Their names and research interests are:

• Marshall Beier - Critical approaches to security, militarization of childhood, children's rights, childhood and governance, Indigeneity and IR, IR theory
• Stephen McBride - North American Political Economy, Trade and Investment Governance, Labour Issues, Public Policy, Social & Health Policy 
• Peter Nyers - Critical Security Studies, Citizenship, Borders, Refugees, Undocumented Migration
• Robert O'Brien - Global Governance, Global Civil Society, Global Labour Issues, Resource and Environmental Economics
• Tony Porter - Global governance and standard setting, international finance
• Alina Sajed - Globalization and transnationalism, politics of the Global South, political violence
• Lana Wylie - Comparative Foreign Policy, Comparative Politics, Critical International Relations, Gender and Politics, Globalization, IR, Politics of Representation 

In addition several other faculty have an interest in international relations:

• Michelle Dion - Economic globalization
• Catherine Frost - Nationalism, Political Theory, Politics and History
• Ahmed Shafiqul Huque - Development, Policy, Public Policy 
• James Ingram - Cosmopolitanism, Globalization, Political Theory, Postcolonial Theory 

Institute on Globalization and the Human Condition (IGHC)

The Institute on Globalization and the Human Condition (IGHC) is a research Institute which hosts an M.A. in Globalization Studies and supports teaching and research on a wide variety of global studies topics. The Institute runs a working paper series, hosts numerous visiting speakers, awards essay prizes and grants research scholarships. Political Science and International Relations students, with an interest in globalization are welcome to take courses in the Institute and participate in all of its activities.

Admission Requirements:

Admission to the MA program in Global Politics requires a clear B+ average or better in an Honours Political Science Bachelor’s degree, a four year major political science degree or similar.

Drawing on the Department’s research strength in International Relations and the presence of the Institute on Globalization and the Human Condition, this MA offers students the opportunity to take a wide selection of courses.  Students take five courses, one MA Colloquium and write a 10,000 word major research paper over twelve months. 

Notes:

• Only COMPLETED applications will be reviewed by the Department
• Applicants to the MA program are strongly encouraged to apply for the SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarships Competition (Scholarship Deadline is December 1^st), provided they meet the eligibility requirements. For more information, visit the School of Graduate Studies

Required Application Documents:

Graduate Studies Online Application

Applicants are required to complete the Graduate Studies Online Application which opens October 1^st each year.  In addition to the online application, applicants must also submit the required documents listed below. Some required documents must be submitted through the online application.

Statement of Interest

• A statement of interest (approximately 250-500 words, single or double-spaced, maximum of 1 page).
• The statement must be uploaded as a PDF attachment only through the online application system
  
• Your statement of interest should clearly describe your reasons for pursuing an MA degree, research interests, previous studies, experience and your career objectives.

C.V. / Personal Resume

• An electronic copy of your CV/Resume must be uploaded as a PDF attachment through the online application system.
  

Official Academic Transcripts

• Upload a scan of ALL official university transcripts completed to date to the application system. Remember to include a copy of the transcript key/index or scale from the transcript.
• Transcripts from institutions where you completed courses on Letter of Permission and/or as part of a Student Exchange Program must also be included.
• If your institution produces official electronic transcripts that can be sent directly to other institutions select this option. The issuing institution must send the official transcript directly to Manuela Dozzi by email at dozzim@mcmaster.ca.
• If the official language of instruction at your institution is not English, please include both the original language document and a certified English translation.
• DO NOT submit an unofficial transcript or a student record print unless the document shows your full name, student number, the university name (official branding), and contains all courses completed and in progress with final grades.
• If you receive an offer of admission further instructions will be given on how to submit formal official transcripts.

Academic References

• Two (2) confidential academic reference reports from instructors most familiar with your academic work
• All referees are required to complete the e-Reference.
• McMaster University uses an Electronic Referencing System (e-Reference). You will be required to include an address for each referee. Your referees will receive an email message asking them to complete an e-Reference.
• If you need to change your reference or referee email address after submitting your application, you may do so by navigating back to your application through the Application Status Portal
• IMPORTANT: The system will send the e-Reference request to your references ONLY AFTER YOU SUBMIT your online application. This means that you will need to have completed AND uploaded your Statement of Interest and CV/Resume to your online application BEFORE you can click the “submit” button. References may require 2-4 weeks to complete the e-Reference reports. Referees MUST complete their reference report BY THE APPLICATION DEADLINE of January 28. Please keep this in mind when you are working on your application.

English Language Proficiency (if applicable)

• If English is not your native language, an official copy of your English Language Proficiency score or other evidence of competency in English is required. Such applicants are required to supply this evidence as part of your application. Applicants whose university studies were complete at an institution where English is deemed the official language of instruction may be exempted from this requirement (an official letter from the institution is required).
• The English Proficiency exam must have been completed within 2 years of the application due date.
• This requirement must be met prior to an offer of admission. There will be no exceptions to the language requirement.
• The most common evidence is a score on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

- TOEFL: minimum score is 92 (iBT-internet based), 237 (computer based) or 580 (paper based). The McMaster University TOEFL/TSE Institution Code is 0936 and the Department Code for Political Science is 89.

- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall score is 6.5, with at least 5.5 in each section.

• NOTE: Foreign students wishing to enter Canada on a student visa should also contact the nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate for visa information.

Application Fee

The system will charge a $110 (Canadian) application fee. This fee is non-refundable and payable by credit card only.  If there is an issue with the payment, the application will not submit. When the payment is approved, you will receive an application acknowledgement email confirming that your application has been successfully submitted. Applications will not be considered for admission until an application fee has been paid.

How to Apply:

Each applicant is required to complete the Graduate Studies Online Application which opens October 1^st each year and submit the required application documents listed above to complete the application.

ANY LATE OR MISSING DOCUMENTS WILL DELAY YOUR APPLICATION AND NOT BE REVIEWED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S ADMISSION COMMITTEE.

If required, send all official documents (official paper copy) to:

Department of Political Science
c/o Manuela Dozzi
Kenneth Taylor Hall 527 (KTH-527)
McMaster University
1280 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
L8S 4M4

Application Deadline:

• January 28, 2023 (for September 2023 admission)

We do not offer a Winter (January) or Spring/Summer (May) start date.

For other graduate programs offered by McMaster University please click here.
Overview of Graduate Studies at McMaster University please click here.

Black Excellence Graduate Scholarship

The Black Excellence Graduate Scholarship is valued at $5,000 and is open to Black graduate students applying for either the MA or PhD programs in the Department of Political Science. Applicants who self-identify as Black, Caribbean, or members of the African diaspora can indicate if they would like to be considered for the scholarship on their application form. 

The Ellen Louks Fairclough Scholarship in Political Science

The Ellen Louks Fairclough Memorial Scholarship in Political Science was established in 2004 to commemorate the life of The Right Honourable Ellen Louks Fairclough, P.C., C.C., F.CA., L.L.D., F.R.C.G.S., D.H., U.E., Canada's first female federal cabinet minister and lifelong advocate for women's rights. To be awarded to a student enrolled in a graduate program in Political Science who holds an Ontario Graduate Scholarship. Preference will be given to a student with an interest in Canadian public policy.

To see additional information regarding awards and funding, please visit Awards & Funding page.

Students should consult with the Department MA Global Politics Advisor or Area Convenors about the courses to be taken in order to satisfactorily complete the program.

Areas of Research: Critical International Relations, Critical Security Studies,Global Public Policy, Globalization, Global Political Economy, Citizenship, Foreign Policy

Research Clusters 

While the department covers all the main fields in Political Science, we also have research expertise and knowledge in the following research clusters. Visit the following research clusters for more information on the faculty members who teach and conduct research in these specific areas, and the types of projects currently being conducted in the department. 

• Climate and Sustainability 
• Critical International Relations
• Digital Democracy
• Gender and Politics
• Globalization
• Global Political Economy
• Labour Issues
• Politics of Representation
• Radical Political Theory
• Social Policy (including health policy)

Interdisciplinary Networks 

Aside from the different research clusters within the Department of Political Science, our faculty members also lead and/or are actively involved in the following interdisciplinary networks in McMaster University: 

• Austerity Research Group
• Asian Research Working Group
• Centre for Health Economics and Policy Analysis (CHEPA)
• Ethnic Quota Project
• Globalization and Time
• Institute on Globalization and the Human Condition
• Centre for Research in Empirical Social Sciences (CRESS)