The study of politics examines the nature and workings of power, state, and government; the rights and duties of citizenship; the limits and possibilities of collective political action; and the social, economic, and cultural formations that shape the life of the political community.

The politics and international relations department at Mount Allison combines traditional and innovative approaches to equip students with the knowledge and critical thinking skills they need for active and creative engagement with the world around them.

The political science program is organized into four main subfields: 

• Canadian politics
  
• comparative politics
• international politics
• political theory

The program offers students the opportunity to gain a strong foundation in all four subfields and to combine empirical, practical, and theoretical approaches in each year of study. In addition to courses in Canadian politics, students may choose specialized area courses in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. If they wish to pursue a more intensive concentration in one particular subfield, students can also take courses in Canadian studies, international relations, history, and philosophy.