100-level

POLS102
Politics: An Introduction
Description
This course introduces the basic tools and techniques used in political science, including research techniques, formulation of hypotheses, and methods of analysis. It also introduces students to a selection of key theories and frameworks. The course covers topics such as nationalism and ethnicity, democracy, authoritarianism, people's power, conflict, globalisation, and the future of global politics. This course will be of great benefit to Political Science majors of all levels and to students who desire a broad-based introduction to the field.
Occurrences
Semester One 2024
Semester One 2024 (Distance)
Points
15 points
POLS103
Introduction to New Zealand Politics and Policy
Description
How are decisions made in New Zealand? Who has how much power in this process? How can citizens, businesses, iwi, and a diverse range of groups have a say? This course is an introduction to New Zealand politics and public policy. The course examines the core features of New Zealand’s political landscape: The constitution, how MMP works, the roles of leaders, cabinet and parliament, and then explores issues that matter to the public, and asks how citizens can participate in politics, what role powerful groups including the media play in decision making and how new, diverse voices can be heard, including your own. The course includes a field day working in local communities learning about leadership and public attitudes.
Occurrences
Semester One 2024
Points
15 points
POLS104
Introduction to International Relations
Description
This course provides a broad introduction to the core issues and theories related to the study of international relations. Students will be introduced to the discipline through a study of key historical events, prominent theories of international relations, and a variety of practical examples.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2024
Semester Two 2024 (Distance)
Points
15 points
POLS105
Comparing the Politics of Nations: A Global Introduction
Description
This course serves as an introduction to the basics of comparative political studies. It is designed to provide the student with a broad comparative overview of the world’s political systems. The main objective is to give students the necessary tools to assess and understand the differences in political culture, political organizations, governmental structures, and political behaviour.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2024
Points
15 points
POLS106
Plato to Nato: Introduction to Political Thought
Description
What’s the right thing for a group of people to do? How does a society know it is well governed? How do you know you are doing the right thing for your country, or your fellow citizens, or how that will impact on your family and friends? Who matters more, your family or your fellow citizens? The best way to answer these questions has been debated for more than over 2000 years. This course is an introduction to the thinkers that have suggested answers to these questions and influenced everyone from Plato to Trump and you. In this course, you will study the evolution of the ideas that form the building blocks of the political and social sciences. The course traverses the political ideas that arose in the Greek and Roman civilisations, the Renaissance, the birth of America, the death of the English and French despotic monarchies, and the great traumas of socialism, Marxism and the political upheavals that followed the wars of the 20th century. We will trace the changes in the fundamental political concepts such as freedom, equality, rights, justice, government, the state, markets, and domination.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2024
Semester Two 2024 (Distance)
Points
15 points
Restrictions
PHIL145

200-level

POLS202
International Relations and Humanitarian Ideals
Description
This course examines the intersection of international relations and humanitarian ideals. It examines debates over the meaning of sovereignty, the role of identity and ethnicity in war, and the impact of human rights in international and global politics. These issues are illustrated via case studies of humanitarian intervention and the war on terror.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2024
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from POLS, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA, or LAWS, GEOG, or the Schedule V of the BCom.
POLS205
Politics of the United States of America
Description
This course focuses on the institutions and government of the United States. Topics include civil rights and civil liberties, the Courts, Presidential-Congressional relations, the national security establishment (e.g. the military and Central Intelligence Agency), the Trump Administration, and the 2020 Presidential election. We also consider key foreign policy issues such as the U.S.in the Asia-Pacific region, U.S.-China relations, U.S.-North Korea relations, and the global significance of the U.S. economy. Particular attention will be given to the dynamics of the 2020 Presidential election.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2024
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from POLS, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA, or LAWS, GEOG, or the Schedule V of the BCom.
POLS206
Introduction to Public Policy and Policy Analysis
Description
This course introduces concepts of and approaches to public policy analysis and evaluation. The course examines the interaction of expertise, society, and public policy and clarifies the intricacies of the policy process in light of technological and social change.
Occurrences
Semester One 2024
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from HLTH, HSRV, or POLS, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA, or LAWS, GEOG, or the Schedule V of the BCom.
POLS209
Politics of International Aid and Development
Description
This course introduces the main discourses, theories and practices related to the discipline of international development studies and its actors. We will first study the contentious history of the discipline which remains at times influenced by its colonial roots. This historical review will be key in appreciating how, since the end of World War II, global and regional political and economic contexts have informed the rise - and fall - of development theories and practices. Building on these historical insights, the course then turns to the politics of development aid and its actors. Here, a critical analysis of the drivers and practices for and around aid allocation will be pivotal in assessing the impact of aid on the ground. We will discuss key debates in relation to why and how governments give aid (bilateral and multilateral aid) and why, despite billions of dollars spent on international aid over time, poverty still plagues many countries across the Global South. The third part of the course turns to international private aid flows. Here we will discuss the trends and issues that arise from a proliferation of private actors in the aid industry: foundations, corporations, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and broader civil society movements. Practical case studies will be utilised throughout the course, by reference to a variety of historical events, case studies of actors in the field such as the World Bank, NZAid, and Oxfam, as well as guest experts from the field.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2024
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from POLS, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA, or LAWS, GEOG, or the Schedule V of the BCom.
POLS210
Democratic Uprisings and Political Participation
Description
With democracy increasingly coming under attack around the world, this course examines democratic uprisings, focusing on the "people's power" uprisings in Southeast Asia, the "Arab Spring" uprisings in the Middle East, and contemporary uprisings in other parts of the world. It examines the causes of uprisings, the factors that lead to success or failure, and the role of both traditional and social media in the uprisings. It considers when newly created democracies are most likely to succeed and when they are likely to fail. Last, we consider the threats to contemporary democracies, particularly new democracies, but also with some reflection on more established democracies like our own.
Occurrences
Semester One 2024
Semester One 2024 (Distance)
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from POLS, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA, or LAWS, GEOG, or the Schedule V of the BCom.
POLS211
China from Mao to Now
Description
This course will provide an introduction to the domestic politics and foreign policy of the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan (Republic of China).
Occurrences
Semester Two 2024
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from POLS, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA, or LAWS, GEOG, or the Schedule V of the BCom.
POLS212
Global and International Political Economy
Description
This course examines the politics of global economic relations. It will focus on issues of international trade, the international monetary system, and foreign investment-and the relationship of each to both domestic and international politics. Among the specific topics to be discussed are: trade and protectionism, the role and performance of global institutions such as the IMF, World Bank, and WTO, the significance of multinational corporations, efforts at regional economic integration such as the EU and NAFTA, the relationship of the world economy to the economic development of poor countries, the emergence of new economic players such as China and India, and the relationship between economic strength and political power.
Occurrences
Semester One 2024
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from POLS, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA, or LAWS, GEOG, or the Schedule V of the BCom.
POLS216
City Politics and Urban Policy
Description
This is the century of the city. By 2050, seven in ten people on the planet will be living in an urban area. Many of the rapidly growing cities are larger than small nations. How do cities make decisions? How do citizens in cities effect change? This course examines local and regional community politics in rapidly developing urban areas and struggling regions; in particular the course examines the role and function of local democracy through the lens of public participation in key policy issues. Discussion and analysis considers the role of the public in policy formulation, and implementation at neighbourhood, city and regional level; and the relationship between local and central government and international agencies and considers the changing roles and challenges of local governance. There is a special focus on the politics of disasters and community recovery. Teaching includes field trips in both Christchurch and Westport field centre.
Occurrences
Semester One 2024
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from POLS, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA, or LAWS, GEOG, or the Schedule V of the BCom.
POLS224
Democratic and Economic Evolution of Europe
Description
This course is designed to provide sufficient knowledge and understanding of recent economic developments and democratisation processes in Europe as a whole and within the EU as an institution. It will examine the institutional and policy changes that have happened since the European "reunification" in 1989, but significant attention will be paid to the economic and political history of the continent also.
Occurrences
Semester One 2024
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from EURA or POLS, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA, or LAWS, GEOG, or the Schedule V of the BCom.
Restrictions
EURA224, EURO224, EURA324, EURO324
POLS232
Media and Politics
Description
The course provides an understanding of the role of the media in domestic and international politics. It does this by analysing key theoretical assumptions and debates on the role of media institutions in the struggle for power domestically and internationally. This course includes group work and requires active in-class engagement. It has on-campus and distance options. It features internationally-recognised top experts in the field of political communication as our guest speakers. Research, critical debate, collaborative work, networking, creativity, writing and presentation are among the core skills this course aims to advance.
Occurrences
Semester One 2024
Semester One 2024 (Distance)
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from COMS or POLS, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA, or LAWS, GEOG, or the Schedule V of the BCom.
Restrictions
COMS205
POLS234
European Foreign Policy in the 21st Century
Description
This course focuses on how the EU, and its member states, are adapting to an international role in the 21st century. The course will critically examine the institutions of EU foreign and security policy, the creation of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and the increasing number of civilian and military crisis management operations. The course assesses the EU's emergent strategy and strategic culture and strands of its foreign policy in action. Particular attention is given to EU development policy, the EU's engagement with the Sustainable Development Goals, EU trade policy, as well as how the EU engages with other world powers such as the US, Russia and China.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2024
Semester Two 2024 (Distance)
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100-level from EURA or POLS, OR any 60 points at 100-level from Schedule V of the BA.
Restrictions
EURA234

300-level

POLS301
Contemporary Political Theory
Description
The study of politics focuses not only on how the political world operates, but also the normative question of how it ought to operate. Is redistribution of wealth justified? Do people have a right to what they earn in the market? Is equality of opportunity possible? Is it desirable? This course examines theories of distributive justice and their implications for economics and markets. Topics covered include: Utilitarianism; Rawls’s theory of justice; Dworkin’s equality of resources; Libertarianism; Universal basic income; Market socialism; Citizenship; and culture and politics.
Occurrences
Semester One 2024
Semester One 2024 (Distance)
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Any 30 points at 200 level from PHIL or POLS, or any 60 points at 200 level from the Schedule V of the BA, or LAWS, GEOG, or the Schedule V of the BCom.
Restrictions
PHIL317, POLS351
POLS304
Environmental Politics and Policy
Description
Has green politics come of age? Around the world we are seeing spontaneous community movements challenging four difficult and intersecting issues: dangerous environmental change, growing social inequality, weak democracy and a paradigm of growth that has contributed to resource extraction beyond the capacity of the planet. Against a background of difficult issues including climate change and the impact of colonization, this course examines the roots of environmental thinking and activism and asks- what are the implications of these ideas for how we live as citizens, communities, businesses and nations and how might we plan for just transitions towards a more equitable and sustainable future? The course involves a weekend field trip.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2024
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Any 30 points at 200 level from POLS, or any 60 points at 200 level from the Schedule V of the BA, or LAWS, GEOG, or the Schedule V of the BCom.
POLS308
International Politics: Aotearoa New Zealand Foreign Policy
Description
This course will critically examine Aotearoa New Zealand’s past and present foreign policy while exploring future foreign policy directions.
Occurrences
Semester One 2024
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Any 30 points at 200 level from POLS, or any 60 points at 200 level from the Schedule V of the BA, or LAWS, GEOG, or the Schedule V of the BCom.
Restrictions
PACS303
POLS314
Militaries and Societies
Description
This course focuses on civil-military relations. It covers the development of the modern professional military and its role in politics and society over time and in a wide range of countries, including European, Asian, American, and Australasian nations. It analyses the military role in the overthrow of democratic and non-democratic governments. It also examines the authoritarian nature of military regimes and the ways they may collapse or be overthrown by democratic uprisings. The final section of the course is devoted to contemporary issues in civil-military relations, raising questions regarding the emergence of the "post-modern", often politicised, military and how to control it, whether soldiers trained for battle are effective as peace-keepers, and the consequences of the return of mercenary forces.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2024
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Any 30 points at 200 level from POLS, or any 60 points at 200 level from the Schedule V of the BA, or LAWS, GEOG, or the Schedule V of the BCom.
Restrictions
ILAP656, ILAP688
POLS315
Global Politics: Political Economy of Contemporary Democracies
Description
This seminar course is an in-depth comparative analysis of the political processes, behaviour, and institutions in industrial democracies. The course considers the numerous avenues through which citizens influence politics and policy-making and considers the implications of formal institutional structures and informal forms of participation. In this seminar, we will survey (i) the historical, geographic, and economic context, (ii) institutions and electoral processes, and (iii) recent transformations and future challenges of modern industrial democracies.
Occurrences
Semester One 2024
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Any 30 points at 200 level from POLS, or any 60 points at 200 level from the Schedule V of the BA, or LAWS, GEOG, or the Schedule V of the BCom.

Not Offered Courses in 2024

100-level

POLS137
Computers, Artificial Intelligence, and the Information Society
Description
Our art, culture, politics, society, and economy are powered by computing machines. This course will provide a history of computing from the 1930s to the present day, offering students an introduction to the fundamentals of computing technology, the corporations who sell us our devices and software, and moral and ethical issues at the heart of the information society. The course also examines Artificial Intelligence. What is AI and can it be achieved? How could you tell whether a computer has a mind? Is the human brain in fact a computer?
Occurrences
Not offered 2024
For further information see POLS137 course details
Points
15 points

200-level

POLS203
World Politics: Islamic Societies
Description
Consequences of socio-economic and political change in selected Islamic states.
Occurrences
Not offered 2024, offered in 2011 , 2012
For further information see POLS203 course details
Points
15 points
POLS208
Global Politics: Party Politics and Elections in Contemporary Democracies
Description
This course is a study of the context and issues of politics and governance of contemporary democracies. Using a comparative analytical approach, the course examines the role of political institutions (formal and informal) and political development on political dynamics, behaviour and participation in these societies.
Occurrences
Not offered 2024
For further information see POLS208 course details
Points
15 points
POLS219
Global and International Politics: Foreign Policy Analysis
Description
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the theory and empirics of foreign policy analysis. The first part of the course addresses some general questions about the subject, such as: what is foreign policy and how do we study it? It then examines key factors and approaches in foreign policy analysis, beginning with traditional rational actor and bureaucratic decision-making approaches, and ending with more recent trans-national perspectives. Case studies are used throughout to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of the different theoretical approaches, with the emphasis on foreign policy doctrine and implementation in the United States and New Zealand.
Occurrences
Not offered 2024
For further information see POLS219 course details
Points
15 points
POLS258
Te Tiriti: The Treaty of Waitangi
Description
This course uses the Treaty of Waitangi to frame examinations of contemporary New Zealand society. We ask questions designed to highlight and emphasise the relevance of the Treaty of Waitangi to everyday New Zealanders. In addition, the course looks at the importance of this document in the maintenance of Crown and Maori relations. Topics covered range from the signing of the Treaty, and historical developments, to the protest movements and activism of the continuing Maori renaissance period, race relations and one law-for-all.
Occurrences
Not offered 2024
For further information see POLS258 course details
Points
15 points

300-level

POLS306
The Craft of Political Research and Risk Analysis
Description
This course introduces the ‘art’ and ‘science’ of designing and conducting empirical research in political science. The main focus of the course is on "doing" and "producing" political science research. The course will prepare students to be a consumer of political science literature as well as provide them with the fundamentals of scientific research in political science. This course will be valuable preparation for students considering postgraduate studies at the honours level and beyond.
Occurrences
Not offered 2024
For further information see POLS306 course details
Points
30 points
POLS307
Policy Issues in Science and Technology
Description
This course analyses major political issues and policy challenges in the areas of global health, bio-medicine and the life sciences industry. Specific issues will include the politics of infectious diseases, food security, human ‘enhancement,’ and the implications of disruptive technologies for medicine, human reproduction, and life extension. Cases will be drawn from North America, Australasia and Africa.
Occurrences
Not offered 2024
For further information see POLS307 course details
Points
30 points
POLS311
Northeast Asia and the Changing Global Order
Description
A new global order is arising and Northeast Asia is at the heart of it. How will China’s Rise affect global politics? Will the US have to accommodate China’s rising military power, or will it confront it? How stable is North Korea? Will energy security bring the countries of Northeast Asia together, or will it set them against each other? This course examines the changing global order, how it is being shaped in Northeast Asia, and the implications of this for New Zealand.
Occurrences
Not offered 2024
For further information see POLS311 course details
Points
30 points
POLS313
Critical Approaches to International Relations
Description
This course looks closely at a variety of critical perspectives in international relations. Through an examination of liberal, realist, marxist, poststructuralist, and constructivist perspectives, the course shows how critiques emerge in opposition to dominant discourses and theories of international relations. Each critical approach will be introduced and applied to case studies including the war in Iraq, humanitarian intervention, and terrorism. Finally, the course looks at the role of theorists in the practice of international relations in order to demonstrate the ways in which abstract scholarly thought is deeply intertwined with the everyday practice of international politics.
Occurrences
Not offered 2024, offered in 2012 , 2015 , 2016 , 2017
For further information see POLS313 course details
Points
30 points
POLS319
International Organisations: The United Nations and Contemporary Challenges
Description
An advanced undergraduate course examining international organisations with a special focus on the contemporary role of the United Nations.
Occurrences
Not offered 2024, offered in 2018 , 2020 , 2021 , 2022 , 2023
For further information see POLS319 course details
Points
30 points
POLS332
Media and Conflict
Description
The course sets out to provide a critical insight and analysis into the role of media in contemporary international contexts. Its focus is on political communication during conflicts and wars, as well as its contribution to international collaborations and cross-border and cross-culture dialogues. Through a series of in-depth case studies, the course provides a comprehensive review of the key concepts and theories on the media's impact on, and role in international political communication. This course includes group work with students in the course collaborating with students from different countries, and requires active in-class engagement. It has on-campus and distance options. It features internationally-recognised top experts as our guest speakers. Research, team work, international collaboration, creativity, writing, presentation and cross-cultural skills are among the core skills this course aims to advance.
Occurrences
Not offered 2024
For further information see POLS332 course details
Points
30 points