Institute of Political Economy

Loeb Building A818
Telephone: 788-7414
Fax: 788-2154

The Institute

Director of the Institute: Wallace Clement

The Institute of Political Economy, established in 1989, developed out of the Graduate Summer School of Political Economy, which was formed in 1983. The summer school was built on the strong tradition of interdisciplinary studies at Carleton, and on the interests of numerous faculty at Carleton involved in political economy. Distinguished international scholars have been attracted to teach in the summer school. Through the Institute, these distinguished visitors will now be in residence during the normal academic year, in addition to the summer program.

The Institute offers a program of study and research leading to the degree of Master of Arts in Political Economy, the only program of its kind in Canada. Its interdisciplinary program is designed to offer students both an exposure to the core concepts of political economy and an opportunity to develop individual areas of research concentration.

The program focuses on investigating the relationship between the economy and politics as they affect the social and cultural life of societies, and secondly, focuses on the historical processes whereby social change is located in the interaction of the economic, political, cultural, and ideological moments of social life.

Carleton University has developed a strong tradition in political economy. Faculty members from most of the social sciences and history participate regularly in the Institute. The program's curriculum includes courses with a political economy orientation that are offered by other departments, schools, and institutes. The Master of Arts in Political Economy is an opportunity for students to study political economy from the perspective of different disciplines within a single program.

Qualifying-Year Program

Applicants who have a general (pass) bachelor's degree in one of the disciplines represented in the program may be admitted to a qualifying-year program designed to raise their status to that of honours graduates. Students are expected to achieve at least high honours in qualifying-year courses in order to be considered for admission to the master's program. To be eligible for admission to a qualifying year, normally a student must previously have successfully completed at least four courses in one of the social sciences.

Refer to the General Regulations section of the calender for details of the regulations governing qualifying year.

Master of Arts

Admission Requirements

The normal requirement for admission to the master's program is an honours B.A. with at least high honours standing in one of the disciplines represented in the Institute. Prospective applicants without such qualifications may be considered for admission if they have both a strong academic record and relevant work experience. Such students normally are asked to complete a qualifying year of study with at least high honours standing before proceeding to the master's program.

Program Requirements

The Master of Arts in Political Economy is a five-credit program, one of which may be at the 400 (honours undergraduate) level. Each candidate, in consultation with the Institute, must select and follow one of two optional patterns:

Whichever pattern is selected, all Institute students are required to take Political Economy 44.500: Theories of Political Economy, and 44.501: The Methodology of Political Economy, two half-credit seminars offered by the Institute.

As well, students must select at least one half credit from the following; Sociology 53.525: Canadian Society, or Political Science 47.509: Canadian Political Economy, or International Affairs 46.588: International Political Economy, or Political Science 47.588: International Political Economy, or approved equivalents of these courses. Registration in these courses is contingent upon the completion of all prerequisites or, in exceptional cases, obtaining the permission of the relevant department or school. The base course pattern annually available to students would normally be:

Fall Term

Winter Term

Summer Term

Academic Standing

All master's candidates must maintain at least B standing (grade point average of 8.0). A candidate may, with the recommendation of the Institute and the approval of the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, be allowed a grade of C+ in one full-credit course.

Graduate Courses*

The institute's courses will not normally be open to undergraduate students.

Selection of Courses

In addition to the graduate courses offered by, or associated with, the Institute, the courses listed below are of relevance to students of political economy and would, with the prior approval of the Institute, be used to design a coherent and internally complementary set of courses to fulfil degree requirements. The list is not exclusive and is subject to change. Moreover, students may select one full course (or equivalent) in political economy that is offered at the 400 level.

Note: Students should be aware that the number of spaces in graduate courses offered by other departments may be limited, and that registration may be conditional upon obtaining the prior approval of the department concerned. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that permission is obtained from the appropriate department prior to registering in any of the following courses.

The Institute expects to attract high quality graduate students who will be likely to continue to a second post-graduate degree. Given that a Ph.D. program in political economy does not exist, master's students will be directed to consult with the department where they might wish to pursue doctoral studies so that they may select courses that will prepare them for this next stage.

Business

Canadian Studies

Economics

Geography

History

International Affairs

Law

Political Science

Public Administration

Sociology and Anthropology