PSCI 100Power, Politics, and Policy: An Introduction
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- Political Science
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 4 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
What are the key political issues in Canada and abroad? Students will undertake comparative study of ideas, institutions, and interests central to issues of policy and politics.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 3401 | 209 / 250 | MW 11:30–12:50 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
67% liked it72% easy75% useful
From 99 ratings and 22 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
if you ever took law in high school, the course reiterates a lot of the same content. to succeed in this course you will have to like reading and writing. Every assessment (midterms, annotated bibliography, and essay) are all written, no multiple choice. There are also reading you will have to complete so you can participate in the discussion component.
Nov 2017 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
I did not like this course at all. Very dry. Didn't learn anything new from civics class in the 10th grade.
Nov 2016 · didn’t like it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
honest everything is essay based and super subjective which is a pain
Nov 2016 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Interesting content, good introductory poli sci course. No readings or written assignments, only two exams which were graded fairly based on which TA you got.
Dec 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Grading is rough, but the interesting content more than makes up for it. Really fascinating stuff, highly recommend taking this course!
Dec 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
39 posts and comments in 35 threads mention PSCI 100, July 2013 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Fall 2023
Environment, Resources and Sustainability- Info for Incoming Students 16 points, 1 comment
u/Extra-Ad-7289: “… Policy: PSCI 100/150, SDS 131R, LS 101, GEOG 101, FR courses (if you want to work in policy, French is a huge asset) Science: GEOG 102, BIOL 150, BIOL 165, EARTH 121 Technical Solutions: ENBUS 102, GEOG 181 Environmental Thought: Any first year PHIL, PACS, SOC or ANTH course …”
psci 100 1 point, 0 comments
Spring 2023
First year course selection (Poli sci/Phil) 1 point, 2 comments
u/Fuzzy_Inevitable_762: “… I'm leaning towards phil 145, however im not entirely sure, for poli sci I have to take PSCI 100, and for both courses I have to take either ARTS 130 or ARTS 140. …”
Need help regarding books 0 points, 0 comments
u/CollegeAfraid3252: “Hey, I’ll be joining the university this fall as a first year student, just wanted to know that; I am thinking of taking Pol Sci as minor and for that PSCI 100 is the course in the first semester, which book do you recommend to study for this course also which book for ARBUS 101 …”
Winter 2023
useful and easy elective? 3 points, 2 comments
“Hi first year mathie here, need to take an on line elective for coop but am not really sure what to take. I am looking for something that is both easy and useful. Do you guys have any suggestions?”
u/SoopaChris: “econ 101, afm 101 if ur interested in markets/stocks/economy sds131, psci 100 for politics (sds 131 covers marx which imo is p cool, regardless of ur views on it)”
Winter 2022
Summary of Doug's shitshow 60 points, 26 comments
“"everyone is going to get this, and it's inevitable, we can't stop the spread. But we're going to make fully vaccinated people lock down for a month so we can say Team Ontario tried its best and deny …”
u/exhibitionstadium77: “OP has never heard of hospitals before”
u/NegotiationAncient77: “too long, didn't read also idk what 'terminally online' is, but you sound like guy in my psci 100 class that used to show people his soy wojaks”
Fall 2021
Possible w’22 plans from psci prof 392 points, 55 comments
u/batia0121: “Bruh this dude is my PSCI 100 prof. As a PSCI prof, really knows his shit btw.”
Winter 2021
Poli sci or legal studies 2 points, 10 comments
“i need help knowing how difficult poli sci gets later. i'm in honors arts in my 1b term and i talked to this girl who told me it gets really difficult later, i need different opinions.”
u/TheZarosian: “… PSCI 100/150 were among my lowest PSCI marks. 2nd year PSCI courses were easier as the topics were more varied and you could choose courses based on interests. …”
u/bickerwiththeliquor: “agreed, I got a 71-76 on PSCI 100/150. from that point on I haven't had anything under an 87 in 6 other PSCI courses in 200/300 level”
Fall 2020
Political Science major help 2 points, 6 comments
u/010203040507lol: “hey guys i need to know if i have to take PSCI 100 to major in poli sci?? cause i really hate this class already and i wanna switch to PSCI 150.”
u/kwkintegrator: “Nope! 150 is great, I highly recommend it, especially if you fine PSCI 100 a little slower. https://ugradcalendar.uwaterloo.ca/page/ARTS-Honours-Political-Science”
Spring 2020
What is the easiest PSCI, PSYCH, or SOC course you've taken? 0 points, 7 comments
“Looking for a course that requires next to no work”
[deleted]: “PSCI 100 with Esselment (MacFarlane was easy too but a dick), SOC 101 with Bonner”
Honours Arts and Business/ Coop Question 3 points, 3 comments
“I've been accepted to ARBUS and I'm planning on majoring/minoring in either Psychology, Economics, English, and/or Theatre Performance. I might also switch into just Honours Arts. …”
u/Lil-Shiro: “Take this with a grain of salt because what you decide to do is up to you. I was in arbus for my first year then just decided to drop it because my I decided that my major + the minor that I was …”
u/Lil-Shiro: “… Another first year course I took was psci 100 and it had a discussion portion to it. …”
Winter 2020
Anyone else confused and angry about PSCI 150? 3 points, 10 comments
u/uwthrowawawawawaway: “… PSCI 100 was actually quite useful overall for an intro course and in comparison, PSCI 150 is a complete joke. This is by far the worst course I have ever had the displeasure of being enrolled in. …”
u/tomo1144: “Took it last year and it was awful. Hated every second of it lol”
u/uwthrowawawawawaway: “Relatable. PSCI 100 at least was interesting. 150 is just rambling nonsense. Too late to add another course though, should've done it long ago”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
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