CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
Teaching Assistant Positions
Department of Political Studies
Queen’s University, Kingston, ON CAN K7L 3N6
In accordance with the collective agreement between Queen's University and Teaching Assistants (PSAC Local 901), applications are invited from qualified individuals for teaching assistant positions. TAships are filled according to Group Preferences set out in the Collective Agreement between Queen’s University and the Public Service Alliance of Canada.
Responsibilities
Teaching assistant duties include but are not limited to grading assignments, attending lectures and tutorials in person, office hours with students, and answering emails. More specific expectations will be covered at the beginning of the term.
*Dates and times are subject to change.
POLS 111 Power and Politics
Term: Fall 2026 (on campus)
Description: This course introduces students to core concepts and tools of political science and their relationship to politics.
Tutorials:
Monday 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, 2:30 – 3:30 pm, 3:30 – 4:30 pm, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Tuesday 8:30 – 9:30 am, 9:30 – 10:30 am, 10:30 – 11:30 am, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, 2:30 - 3:30 pm
Wednesday 8:30 – 9:30 am, 2:30 – 3:30 pm
Thursday 8:30 – 9:30 am, 1:30 – 2:30 pm, 2:30 – 3:30 pm, 3:30 – 4:30 pm, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Friday 8:30 – 9:30 am, 9:30 – 10:30 am, 10:30 – 11:30 am, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, 12:30 – 1:30 pm
POLS 212: Canadian Politics
Term: Fall 2026 (on campus)
Description: An analysis of the processes, groups, parties, voters, and culture of Canadian politics.
Tutorials:
Wednesday 9:30 - 10:30 am, 1:30 – 2:30 pm, 3:30 – 4:30 pm, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Thursday 9:30 – 10:30 am, 10:30 – 11:30 am
Friday 8:30 – 9:30 am, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, 12:30 – 1:30 pm
POLS 242: Comparative Politics: Contemporary Regimes
Term: Fall 2026 (on campus)
Description: The nature of political regimes in advanced industrial countries and the developing world.
Tutorials:
Monday 2:30 – 3:30 pm
Tuesday 9:30 – 10:30 am, 2:30 – 3:30 pm, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Thursday 9:30 – 10:30 am
Friday 9:30 – 10:30 am, 10:30 – 11:30 am
POLS 250: Political Theory: Foundations
Term: Fall 2026 (on campus)
Description: An introduction to political theory. Students will learn how to interpret, and critically assess, a wide range of historical political thinkers and political concepts.
Tutorials:
Monday 10:30 – 11:30 am, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Thursday 8:30 – 9:30 am, 9:30 – 10:30 am, 11:30 - 12:30 pm, 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Friday 10:30 - 11:30 am, 12:30 – 1:30 pm
POLS 261: International Politics
Term: Fall 2026 (on campus)
Description: An introduction to the major issues in the study of international relations: questions of war and peace, national security, the role of the 'state', foreign and defence policy, gender and international relations, and international institutions.
Tutorials:
Monday 2:30 – 3:30 pm
Tuesday 10:30 – 11:30 am, 1:30 – 2:30 pm, 2:30 – 3:30 pm, 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Thursday 10:30 - 11:30 am
POLS 112: Enduring Political Debates
Term: Winter 2027 (on campus)
Description: This course examines important and enduring debates in politics and political science. Themes will vary year to year.
Tutorials:
Monday 9:30 – 10:30 am, 10:30 - 11:30, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, 2:30 – 3:30 pm, 3:30 - 4:30 pm, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Tuesday 8:30 – 9:30 am, 9:30 - 10:30 am, 10:30 – 11:30 am, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, 12:30 – 1:30 pm, 1:30 - 2:30 pm
Thursday 9:30 -10:30 am, 10:30 - 11:30 am, 4:30 - 5:30 pm
Friday 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, 12:30 – 1:30 pm
POLS 211: Canadian Government
Term: Winter 2027 (on campus)
Description: An examination of the institutions and constitutional foundations of government and politics in Canada.
Tutorials:
Wednesday 9:30 – 10:30 am, 11:30 am -12:30 pm, 4:30 - 5:30 pm
Thursday 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, 12:30 - 1:30 pm
POLS 241: Comparative Politics: Transformations
Term: Winter 2027 (on campus)
Description: An examination of how and why societies change and the context in which transformation occurs.
Tutorials:
Monday 8:30 - 9:30 am, 10:30 -11:30 am
Friday 9:30 - 10:30 am, 10:30 – 11:30 am, 11:30 – 12:30 pm, 12:30 – 1:30 pm
POLS 263: Introduction to International Security
Term: Winter 2027 (on campus)
Description: This course introduces students to current theoretical and policy debates about the nature of 'international security.' In addition to addressing the meaning of this contested concept, we will examine three principal ways in which security has been organized by states, specifically: collective security, collective defence, and security communities.
Tutorials:
Wednesday 12:30 – 1:30 pm, 1:30 – 2:30 pm, 2:30 – 3:30 pm
Thursday 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, 12:30 – 1:30 pm, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Friday 8:30 – 9:30 am
POLS 280: Introduction to Women, Gender, and Politics
Term: Winter 2027 (on campus)
Description: This course analyzes the status of women and men in domestic and global politics. It presents primary concepts used in political science to address: What is gender? How is it political? How have the women's movement and other collectivities addressed inequality and oppression? What does gender equality look like, and how can it be obtained?
Tutorials:
Monday 2:30 - 3:30 pm
Tuesday 8:30 – 9:30 am
Wednesday 8:30 – 9:30 am, 9:30 – 10:30 am, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Thursday 3:30 – 4:30 pm
POLS 284: Introduction to Political Research
Term: Winter 2027 (on campus)
Description: An exploration of major issues and schools of thought in the philosophy of social science and an examination of contemporary approaches to the study of politics.
Tutorials:
Wednesday 10:30 – 11:30 am, 12:30 – 1:30 pm, 2:30 – 3:30 pm, 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Thursday 9:30 – 10:30 am, 2:30 – 3:30 pm
POLS 285: Introduction to Statistics
Term: Winter 2027 (on campus)
Description: This course is an introduction to quantitative approaches to political science research.
Tutorials:
Monday 3:30 – 4:30 pm, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Tuesday 9:30 – 10:30 am, 10:30 – 11:30 am, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Wednesday 10:30 - 11:30 am
POLS 350: Political Theory: History
Term: Winter 2027 (on campus)
Description: An introduction to political theory, and a complement to POLS 250. Topics may vary year to year, but typically include historical thinkers from the late 18th century to the first half of the 20th century. POLS 350 surveys a diverse range of political traditions, such as conservatism, feminism, Black Political Thought, utilitarianism, and Marxism. Students will be expected to demonstrate an ability to both comprehend and critically evaluate the material.
Tutorials:
Tuesday 2:30 – 3:30 pm
Wednesday 8:30 – 9:30 am, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Thursday 8:30 – 9:30 am, 10:30 – 11:30 am, 1:30 – 2:30 pm, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Friday 8:30 – 9:30 am, 9:30 – 10:30 am, 1:30 – 2:30 pm
POLS 382: Gender and Social Policy
Term: Winter 2027 (on campus)
Description: This course explores feminist questions about the role of social policy in alleviating gender inequalities. Through an intersectional analysis of gender, race and class, this course examines how social policies address poverty, un/employment, immigration and colonialism. Each student will explore one Canadian social policy in detail.
Tutorials:
TBA
Contract Hours
The hours in the TA contract will be determined based on the actual course enrollment. To Apply The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen’s University is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, racialized persons, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and such other groups as may be designated by legislation.
The University will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation during the interview process, please contact: Mikhaila Graf (gradpols@queensu.ca).
Application Process
The process of assigning qualified graduate students to these positions is outlined in the Collective Agreement between the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC 901) and Queen’s University. Remuneration will be in accordance with the Collective Agreement, and appointments are subject to funding or enrollment criteria. Applications will be reviewed, and positions allocated in reference to candidates’ teaching and academic experience as it applies to the course subject field and in reference to the candidates’ priority for a Teaching Assistantship as specified by the Collective Agreement.
If you wish to be considered for a teaching assistantship listed above, please complete the following survey: POLS TA Application Form
Application Deadline
Submit your application and supporting documentation no later than July 17, 2026, at 11:59 pm. Late applications will not be accepted. Only those applicants who will be offered a teaching assistantship will be contacted.