PSCI 150Introduction to Global Politics
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- Political Science
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
What are the politics underlying the contemporary distribution and governance of global wealth and power? This course provides students with an introduction to core issues in the study of global politics.
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 3267 | 0 / 250 | TTh 13:00–14:20 |
| LEC 701 | 1236 | 159 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
75% liked it71% easy79% useful
From 81 ratings and 14 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
PSCI 150 might not be the gem it seems. It goes over the basics of political power, which won't surprise anyone already into politics. A heads-up: don't count on getting notes from the professors, which means prepping for midterms is on you. The grading can be tough, and the TAs don't go easy on the assignments. I took it as an elective, and let's just say it wasn't my greatest idea—it tanked my average. Only dive into this course if you've got the time to commit, or else snagging a grade above 75% could be a stretch.
Apr 2024 · didn’t like it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
As an introductory course into Global Politics and Economics, it’s quite an interesting course. I liked the overarching question of trying to figure out who has the most power in Global Politics and Global Economies and each week learning about different unique players. I also liked how the course is split in half by Politics and Economies with their respective professors. I loved both Professor Kitchen and Helleiner but I think Helleiner was more interesting and more passionate about his talk, so I liked the finance part a bit more.
The discussions are also quite interesting, as you will get more marks for speaking more. But from my experience, there’s always these political science nerds…Dec 2023 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Very interesting class, fun to take a class that is changing as it is taught. Prof taught the class by looking at a new topic each week and trying to convince the class that it was the most important actor in global politics.
Apr 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
The concepts learned in this class were very interesting. The entire class was centered around deciding on who the most powerful actor in global politics is. There was no textbook and no final exam, but there was a midterm and a final essay. The TAs marked so unreasonably hard. I put so much effort into this class, especially my final essay, and most of my grades were around an 80 which lowered my average compared to my other classes. Our midterm average was extremely low for a class like this. Overall, I think the TAs were way too harsh as this is still a beginner class.
Jun 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
So unnecessarily hard. The context is useful and interesting but it is very hard to get a good mark in this class. Our midterm average was 60 and the average for the first assignment was 65.
Mar 2024 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
53 posts and comments in 41 threads mention PSCI 150, April 2015 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 2024
What courses to choose for 1B CS?? 2 points, 8 comments
“So the deadline is almost up and I am super late. I am aware of the 3 courses we are required to choose CS136/146 Math136/146 Math138/148 What are the other two courses? …”
u/s01arpunk: “… I liked PSCI 150 although it’s not for everyone.”
Fall 2023
Do I need to take PSCI 101 to understand PSCI 150? 4 points, 3 comments
u/misterhatman420: “So I did an oopsie and didn't take PSCI 101 first and I know there's no prereq for PSCI 150 but I'm wondering if I'll be missing much needed context if I take PSCI 150 without taking PSCI 101”
u/InDiAn_hs: “Took PSCI 150 without any other poli sci courses and I was just fine. Dw about it.”
u/Alarming_Novel2983: “Ur good, I did the exact same thing, took PSCI 150 as an elective it was chill”
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 …”
Spring 2022
PSCI 150 review? 2 points, 3 comments
u/dave7364: “title”
CS students, what courses have you taken each term 9 points, 21 comments
“Inspired by https://www.reddit.com/r/uwaterloo/comments/v3b8nj/can\any\current\mathcs\students\let\me\know\their/ but recognizing that one term is a very narrow view, What courses have you taken each …”
u/astroturfer1984: “1a: cs 135, math 135, math 137, engl 109, fr 192a 1b: cs 136, math 146, math 138, psci 150, engl 208b 2a: cs 246, cs 245, stat 230, psci 257, engl 306a coop 1: cs 240 2b: cs 241, math 239, cs 251, stat 241 3a: undecided”
Winter 2022
courses related to geopolitics 1 point, 2 comments
[deleted]: “EASIA 277, PSCI 150? Here is the course calendar https://ucalendar.uwaterloo.ca/2021/COURSE/course-PSCI.html”
u/triviahobii: “Take PSCI 150 this winter. The you can take PSCI 282: Foreign Policy, PSCI 281: Global Politics, etc. later. PSCI 150 is a prereq for a lot of psci classes”
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
Winter 2021 courses 5 points, 2 comments
u/010203040507lol: “if anyone is taking econ 101, psci 150, or math 104 hmu. i need new friends from uni.”
How are PSCI 150 or PHIL 110A as electives? 2 points, 2 comments
u/Phylamedeian: “Title. Are they a lot of commitment for CS 1B? What's the workload? How much essay writing is there? Thanks!”
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.”
Winter 2020
I'm being drained 33 points, 7 comments
“Man, I want the drive back. The spark. The motivation. I want to love learning again, and challenging myself. …”
u/5KIslam: “Pretty much ARTS 140 and PSCI 150 in a nutshell. May be try considering online gaming as the only safe-haven left? Works for me...”
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. …”
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)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
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