Canadian Universities

[CorvusCorvus]

What Canadian universities have the best reputation for graduate political science programs? And, more to the point, what Canadian universities have the best reputation for graduate political theory programs? I am trying to decide between different Canadian graduate political theory programs, and struggling to figure out what universities have the best reputation for political science in general, and theory in particular. 

[Cesare]

Not a theory person, but the University of Toronto jumps to my mind instantly. 

[CorvusCorvus]

Not a theory person, but the University of Toronto jumps to my mind instantly. 

Thanks. If you don't mind me asking, what universities do you have experience with?

[Cesare]

Thanks. If you don't mind me asking, what universities do you have experience with?

 

Mostly with US and UK schools. I think the University of Toronto has the best "global reputation" from the other Canadian Universities. It is the one I hear about the most (followed by McGill and UBC) and I think it would be "easier" to come into the US market with a degree from UT than other schools. Having said that, I am not Canadian. If you want to know what universities I've studied at specifically and where I may be heading, feel free to pm me. 

[CorvusCorvus]

Mostly with US and UK schools. I think the University of Toronto has the best "global reputation" from the other Canadian Universities. It is the one I hear about the most (followed by McGill and UBC) and I think it would be "easier" to come into the US market with a degree from UT than other schools. Having said that, I am not Canadian. If you want to know what universities I've studied at specifically and where I may be heading, feel free to pm me. 

That's very good to know. I'm from Canada, and it's really hard to figure out what domestic perceptions and local biases translate to in terms of global reputation.

[30rus]

i heard from alot of people that McGill is Canada's Harvard!

[CorvusCorvus]

Does anyone know about political theory from a more critical or Marxist perspective? I know York University and the University of Victoria are both known for that, and I'd much rather a university with a critical/Marxist perspective than something like a UBC, with it's rational choice reputation. Any thoughts?

[Matchbook]

I'm not a theory guy, but first-to-mind for critical work is certainly York.  Also, might want to look into UAlberta; a lot of York folks ended up there.

[30rus]

hell to UBC, the Asian Studies department doest require a GRE but the PolSci dep wants a GRE so i have to cross it out. does any know any POlSci or IR dep in canada with staff on Asia which doenst need a GRE?

[wtncffts]

hell to UBC, the Asian Studies department doest require a GRE but the PolSci dep wants a GRE so i have to cross it out. does any know any POlSci or IR dep in canada with staff on Asia which doenst need a GRE?

 

UBC does, as does McGill, but most other programs in Canada don't require the GRE. 

[30rus]

right, since its the canadian uni thread, let me ask a questions, my M.A is in Asian Studies and i am wokring on a PolSci/IR Thesis, do you think i would be able to enter a PolSci PhD or should i go for Asian Studies and the other interdiciplinery programs?

[wtncffts]

right, since its the canadian uni thread, let me ask a questions, my M.A is in Asian Studies and i am wokring on a PolSci/IR Thesis, do you think i would be able to enter a PolSci PhD or should i go for Asian Studies and the other interdiciplinery programs?

 

I think you'd certainly be 'eligible' to do a poli sci PhD; obviously we don't know anything about your record so I can't say anything about your chances.

 

I'd be wary of interdisciplinary programs if you're looking for an academic job - there's a danger of your training being perceived as not rigorous enough in any discipline, i.e., 'not poli sci enough' for poli sci, not x enough for x, etc. Although that might be unfair, that's how the academy is constructed, and I think for good reasons (though many of my colleagues' favourite complaints is their frustration with 'arbitrary' disciplinary boundaries).

[30rus]

I think you'd certainly be 'eligible' to do a poli sci PhD; obviously we don't know anything about your record so I can't say anything about your chances.

 

I'd be wary of interdisciplinary programs if you're looking for an academic job - there's a danger of your training being perceived as not rigorous enough in any discipline, i.e., 'not poli sci enough' for poli sci, not x enough for x, etc. Although that might be unfair, that's how the academy is constructed, and I think for good reasons (though many of my colleagues' favourite complaints is their frustration with 'arbitrary' disciplinary boundaries).

 

thanks for your response, just for the record i have a B.A in english with a minor on islamic knowledge, GPA:2.9 and im doing an M.A. Indian Studies GPA:3.8ish. i can get good LOR as i am the top of my program and i am doing a thesis related to U.S India and Iran on the Iranian Nuclear issue. is it good enaugh?