PSCI 244Solving Puzzles in Political Science

Units: 0.50
Faculty: Arts
Subject: Political Science

When it runs

Ran in 1 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

Students will gain an understanding of the causes of some important puzzles in contemporary politics. For example, why do powerful dictators often allow opposition parties to exist? Why are the front lines of some civil wars spared from violence? Why do people's ethnic identities shift between religion and race? Through a variety of research-based reading and data analysis, students will gain the skills to explain real-world political outcomes through a theoretical lens. Students will critically reflect on issues such as corruption, racial identity, conflict and autocracy, to understand the structures, interests, and processes that shape contemporary politics.

Prerequisites

Students must be in level 1B or higher

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

No course lists it as a requisite.

Reviewed on UW Flow

93% liked it94% easy75% useful

From 14 ratings and 5 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

No readings, no assignments. Just a midterm and a final, which you can do very well on with a little bit of effort.

Sep 2015 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW Flow Remove this
Very interesting PSCI course. Real practical stuff, discuss real world issues. Completely unbiased and frankly apolitical, purely rational decisions and a scientific analysis of political choices. Fantastic

Nov 2023 · liked itOn UW Flow Remove this
Best PSCI course I've ever taken. As long as you take thorough notes, you will be totally fine. Easy 90+.

Apr 2023 · liked itOn UW Flow Remove this
I took this course online with Dr. Jingjing Huo in Winter 2021. The grade was weighted as follows: participation (20%), midterm (40%), final exam (40%). The midterm and final were both timed (1.5 hours) and open book exams. Dr. Huo posted new, detailed powerpoint slides every Sunday/Monday and questions on the discussion board every Thursday/Friday. There were no assigned readings :) I personally really liked this course and found the content to be very interesting. I just wish the discussions were a bit more planned/organized as we technically didn't have a deadline for any of them, which made it hard to keep track of things. Tip: the midterm and final exam questions were derived from the…

Jun 2021 · liked itOn UW Flow Remove this
Take notes on the philosophical logic trains, rather than focusing on the examples! Will help you out on the midterm & exam

Jun 2020 · liked itOn UW Flow Remove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

2 posts and comments in 2 threads mention PSCI 244, February 2016 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.

Spring 2017

May 29, 2017 What is the most enjoyable course you've ever taken at UW? 23 points, 74 comments

u/TheZarosian: “… Honorable Mentions: PSCI 255, 244, 264. …”

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Winter 2016

Feb 19, 2016 Recently got admission offer for CS(co-op),Many Questions actually,can't mention all of them in this title! :) 0 points, 48 comments

“Hello, I am a 12th standard student from India. (This is going to be really lengthy,but please kindly spare sometime to help me with whatever you can answer and i think many people like me will have …”

u/TheZarosian: “… (shout-out to PSCI 244). 1. International tuition is hella expensive ($22K. EDIT: apparently 28K now and rising!). As an international student, you will not be entitled to many loans/grants that the Government of Canada offers. …”