uwloo

PSCI 255Political Economy of Rich Countries

Units
0.50
Faculty
Arts
Subject
Political Science

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

Students will gain an understanding about the main similarities and differences between the major economies in the rich world. Through a variety of research-based reading and data analysis, students will gain the skills to compare political and economy systems across countries and time. Students will critically reflect on issues such as poverty, inequality, gendered labour market activity, and technological disruption, to understand the structures, interests, and processes that shape the well-being of rich countries.

Prerequisites

  • Students must be in level 1B or higher

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

Winter 2027 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 00180230 / 75MW 10:00–11:20
LEC 701832829 / 9999Online or by arrangement

Reviewed on UW Flow

86% liked it67% easy67% useful

From 7 ratings and 3 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • hell no

    Jul 2026 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • The course compares Advanced economies as three major groups, Anglo-Saxon countries/Scandinavian countries and Continental Europeans. You will learn about the key economic factors and the differences between these groups of countries and how these changes came about.
    Prof. Huo is an amazing prof as he requires no textbook, made an animated textbook himself, and everything he taught was laid out in such a way that's very logical and easy to follow.
    You get 20% from participation and 40% each from 2 very straightforward midterms that has 5 questions each, which are open book. As long as you actually followed through with the weekly lessons, you can not screw these up.
    Truly not to brag…

    Jan 2022 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Jing Jing Huo is very clear when explaining the concepts and he repeats them so many times in different ways so you can understand it. I found this class useful, especially for higher level PSCI classes.

    Oct 2016 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

5 posts and comments in 5 threads mention PSCI 255, August 2012 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 2018

Fall 2017

Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments

“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”

u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”

u/Jackhofmann: “… PMATH 950 PMATH 990 PORT 101 PS 611 PS 614 PS 621 PS 624 PS 625 PSCI 100 PSCI 231 PSCI 252 PSCI 255 PSCI 257 PSCI 263W PSCI 282 PSCI 299 PSCI 324 PSCI 331 PSCI 353 PSCI 360 PSCI 385 PSCI 389 PSCI 402 PSCI 423 PSCI 428 PSCI 456 PSCI 461 PSCI 492 PSCI 497A PSCI 497B PSCI 498A PSCI …”

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Spring 2017

Spring 2016

Spring 2012

What courses will you be taking in the fall? 13 points, 69 comments

“There are only about three weeks until classes begin (and only two weeks until orientation). What courses will you be taking in the fall? Anything fun/interesting?”

u/eristicham: “PHIL 216 - Probability and Decision Making PHIL 331 - Philosophy of Art PSCI 255 - Comparative Political Economy PSCI 291 - The Canadian Legal Process PSCI 490 - Topics in Politics & Business If anyone would like to form a study group for any of those courses I'd be interested.”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar