TRU board gives approval for new post-bac, major in politics and international studies

Photo: TRU

Thompson Rivers University’s faculty of arts will be offering a new post-baccalaureate diploma and major in politics and international studies after the proposed programs received approval earlier this month.

TRU’s board of governors approved the new programs on June 14 after the university’s senate gave its approval in May.

According to a report given to senate, students in the new programs will examine themes of Canadian issues, international politics and Indigenous studies, as well as methods and theory.

“Together, these themes shape students’ learning about the historical, social, political and policy context to explore 21st-century issues between Western Canada and the Asia-Pacific region,” the report states.

According to the report, possible topics of study are immigration, temporary migrant labour, colonial and anti-colonial politics, international education, investment, municipal twinning and trade.

“Understanding the implications of these ongoing tensions and established relationships for Canada’s prosperity and global social responsibility is the primary focus of the Politics and International Studies post-baccalaureate Diploma,” the report reads.

A second report for the new major states the bachelors program will cover similar areas of study.

Both the new graduate program and major will draw from existing faculty and courses. No new course sections will be added as current sections have enough capacity to absorb new students for both of the new programs, the report states.

“However, there is a risk that if additional sections were required the increase in tuition would not cover the direct teaching costs,” a report to the board of governors states.

According to the report given to senate, the post-baccalaureate diploma in politics and international studies is projected to have 14 full-time students enrolled by its fifth year, split evenly between domestic and international.

The report cites the opportunity to study in Canada for two years, educational enhancement and the program’s focus on international, western Canada and Asia-pacific focus as reasons the program may appal to international students.

The new major is projected to see about 40 full-time domestic students and 10 full-time international students within four to five years.

A report states the new programs will "help attract and retain students for the new master of arts in human rights and social justice, and leverage the experience, capacity, and expertise of our faculty members."

The new programs will be run by the department of philosophy, history and politics and are anticipated to start in the fall of 2024.