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Introduction | Political Studies | Faculty | Course List |

Dr. John HiemstraDr. John Heimstra

Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences
Professor of Political Studies
Office: A225
Phone: 780-465-3500 x8040
Email: Click to Contact
For publications and research click here or see more details at the bottom of page.

Education:
Ph.D., Political Philosophy and Public Policy, Department of Political Science, University of Calgary, 1993.
M.Phil., Political Theory, Institute for Christian Studies, Toronto,1983.
B.A., Social Sciences, Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa, 1978.

As Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, I focus on building and maintaining top quality programs in the Social Sciences, Psychology, Sociology, Business, Politics-History-Economics, Environmental Studies-Social Science (combined major), and other interdisciplinary options. In our pursuit of Christian Higher Education, we strive to provide superior teaching and conduct serviceable research, which uncover the deep structural architecture and contending spiritual roots of problems. We want our programs to provide serviceable insight into the pressing needs of our times—including seeking justice, freedom, and peace; encouraging respect for life; building social wellbeing, cohesion and solidarity; caring for and defending the integrity of creation; tackling poverty and hunger; and equitable and just treatment of plurality.

Courses I teach at King’s:
POLI 201 - Process of Government and Politics
POLI 320 - Canadian Government and Politics
POLI 327 - Public Policy Analysis
POLI 380 - World Politics
POLI 399 - Special Topics In Political Science

Courses I have taught at King’s:
POLI 200 - Invitation to Politics and Government
POLI 313 – Political Ideologies
POLI 310 - History of Political Thought I: Classical and Medieval Political Thought
POLI 311 - History of Political Thought II: Modern Political Thought
POLI 317 - Christian Social and Political Movements (since the French Revolution)
POLI 499 - Directed Studies in Political Science
SSCI 495 - Senior Social Science Seminar

Research and Representative Publications:

The following headings set out the main categories of my research. The lists under each heading contain select publications, conference presentations, submissions, speeches, and popular articles in that area.

‘Oil Sands Development’ Research:
Publications, select papers, and major speeches
Popular Tar Sands publications

‘Principled Public Pluralism’ Research:
School policy and pluralism
Media, broadcasting and pluralism policy
Electoral reform and pluralism
Faith(s), public life and Faith-Based Organizations

Other Research Interests:
Philosophy of Science and ‘Approaches to analysis’
Pierre Trudeau’s political philosophy
Economic and Social Justice


Biographical Highlights:

    • Teach political studies, The King’s University College, 1991 – present.
    • Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, 2005 – present.
    • Public policy analyst, Citizens for Public Justice, 1981-1987.
    • Board member, North American region, International Association for the Promotion of Christian Higher Education, (IAPCHE), 2006 – present.
    • Board Member, Public Justice Resource Centre/Citizens for Public Justice, Toronto, 2001-2006.
    • Chair, Faculty Council, The King’s University College, 2002-2003.
    • Social Action Commission, Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, 1993-2004. 
    • Moderator, with Dr. Harold Jansen, “Canadian Christians in Political Science” internet discussion list, 1997 to present.
    • Team Leader, 3-week Honduras Water Project Teams, sponsored by King’s, NADC, and CRWRC, in May, 2008 and another May, 2006.

Related Links

Politics-History-Economics Program | Political Studies Minor Program | Course Schedule

 
Invitation to Politics and Government, Every Year, Fall 3(3-0-0)
A systematic introduction to politics and political science, this course introduces the main problems, concepts, and ideologies underlying domestic and international politics.
Process of Government and Politics, Every Year, Winter 3(3-0-0)
An introduction to the participants, institutions and processes in the Canadian political system taught from a comparative perspective, this course also examines different forms of government. This course is considered a Canadian Studies course for purposes of King's B.Ed. (AD).
History of Political Thought I: Classical and Medieval Political Thought, 2009-10, Fall 3(3-0-0)
Examines major developments in the history of Western political thought from the ancient Greeks and Romans through the Christian period up to the Renaissance, with particular attention given to key writings by Plato, Aristotle, Augustine and Aquinas. Examines themes such as the justice, the state, politics, plurality, constitutionalism, power, war and the individual. Same as PHIL 310.
Prerequisites: PHIL 230 or POLI 200 or 201
History of Political Thought II: Modern Political Thought, 2009-10, Winter 3(3-0-0)
Examines the major social and political ideas developed in the modern era, focusing on select writings of major political philosophers such as Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx and Nietzsche. Same as PHIL 311.
Prerequisites: PHIL 230 or POLI 200 or 201
Christian Social and Political Movements, 2008-09, Winter 3(3-0-0)
This course examines the development of Christian social and political ideas and movements within Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions since the French Revolution (1789). It explores the context in which these movements arose, their distinctive ideas and strategies, as well as the practical changes they advocated. Special attention will be given to the way these movements tackled several key contemporary issues and the eventual outcomes of these efforts. Same as HIST 317 and SOCI 317.
Prerequisites: HIST 203 or POLI 200 or 201 or three credits in sociology at the introductory level.
Canadian Government and Politics, 2008-09, Fall 3(3-0-0)
This course examines the relationship between Canada's federal and provincial governments, and the place of French Canada, regionalism, multiculturalism, Canadian nationalism, and aboriginal nations within the Canadian state. It examines the history of Canada's constitutional evolution, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This course is considered a Canadian Studies course for purposes of King's B.Ed. (AD).
Prerequisites: POLI 200 or 201
Public Policy Analysis, 2009-10, Winter 3(3-0-0)
This course is an introduction to themes and methods in policy studies. The course examines the practical and normative problems facing Canadian governments in initiating, formulating, enacting, and implementing public policies. Special attention will be given to several contemporary policy issues. This course is considered a Canadian Studies course for purposes of King's B.Ed. (AD).
Prerequisites: POLI 200 or 201
World Politics, 2008-09, Fall 3(3-0-0)
This course is an introduction to international politics, law and organizations and focuses on major international issues of conflict and cooperation related to war, economics, poverty, and the environment.
Prerequisites: POLI 200 or 201
Special Topics In Political Science, Subject to demand, 3(3-0-0)
A course on a topic or figure of special interest to a member of the political science faculty and offered on a non-recurring basis.
Prerequisites: POLI 200 or 201; some topics may have more specific prerequisites.
Directed Studies in Political Science, Every Year, 1 to 3 (varies)
An opportunity to do intensive study of a special topic of particular interest to the student. Students work closely with a faculty member in tutorial meetings. Students must apply in advance for special studies to a political science faculty member.
Prerequisites: Six credits in political science at the 300-level, and consent of instructor
Senior Social Science Seminar, Every Year, Winter 3(0-3-0)
All students with social science as a first subject of concentration in the B.A. program are required to take this course. The seminar is designed to engage students in clarifying the common ground of traditionally distinct social science disciplines. Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary concerns.
Prerequisites: Six credits in a designated social science discipline at the 300-level