Lakehead professor brings political science studies to Georgian College students
December 8, 2015 – Orillia, ON
For the first time, students enrolled in the two-year General Arts & Science program at Georgian are studying Political Science as part of the requirements of the program, thanks to the development of new courses by Dr. Doug West, Associate Professor with the Departments of Interdisciplinary Studies and Political Science at Lakehead University’s Orillia campus.
West is just finishing up fall courses on Politics in Canada at both Lakehead University and Georgian College, representing a milestone in the Georgian Lakehead partnership.
“This is a wonderful way to introduce more students to Political Science and the careers that it can lead to,” said Dr. Moira McPherson, Lakehead University Provost & Vice President Academic. “With the articulation agreement we have with Georgian, students can now transfer into our new program in Political Science at Lakehead Orillia to turn their diplomas into degrees.”
Political Science was added to Lakehead’s degree programs at the Orillia campus in September 2015, although it was one of the original programs at Lakehead University’s Thunder Bay campus. The Department recently celebrated a 50-year reunion with faculty and alumni.
In addition to the Politics in Canada course, West will be teaching Global Politics as part of the Georgian program in the winter semester. Both courses are now required for the Arts & Science diploma program.
“It’s very encouraging to see the interest among students at both the College and the University,” said West. “Political Science is about civic engagement and helps students realize their rights and responsibilities as citizens. Everyone should have at least one course in political science; it helps them connect to their community.”
The growth of Political Science at both postsecondary institutions is helping to fulfill the objectives of the Georgian Lakehead partnership and enhance the access to education options in the region. Above all, it supports career and further education opportunities for students. A Political Science Degree can lead to careers in public service, journalism, or in social service agencies and government relations. Some students also pursue law school or international public service with their training in Political Science.
For further information about program options at Lakehead University and Georgian College, visit lakeheadu.ca or georgiancollege.ca.
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Dr. Doug West, Associate Professor at Lakehead Orillia, (centre) has introduced new Political Science courses to both Georgian College and Lakehead University students. Lakehead’s Political Science program recently celebrated 50 years. Dr. West is shown here with alumni (l-r) Sean McKay and Michael Fox.
MEDIA: For more information, please contact Communications Officer, Kathy Hunt, at 705-330-4008 ext. 2014 or kjhunt3@lakeheadu.ca.
In 2015, Lakehead University will celebrate 50 years of exceptional education. Guided by its Strategic Plan (2013-2018), Lakehead is known for providing an education focused on independent thinking, unconventional scholarship, and a close sense of community. About 9,700 full-time equivalent students and 2,000 faculty and staff learn and work in ten faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s newest Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences & Humanities, Science & Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education, and Graduate Studies.
Maclean’s 2015 University Rankings places Lakehead University 2nd in Ontario and among Canada’s Top 10 undergraduate universities, and 1st among Ontario’s undergraduate universities for Total Research Dollars, Social Sciences & Humanities Grants, and Library Expenses. In 2014, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead 2nd in Ontario and 3rd among Canada’s undergraduate universities.
Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.