Degree Requirements

The Political Science Department offers students with diverse interests a wide range of topical, thought-provoking courses in four fields of study: Canadian Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Thought. The Department's aim is to provide students with a rich and rewarding learning experience, one that sharpens their critical skills, engages them in political ideas and practices, and grounds them in the world, locally and globally. The program thereby provides students with a solid foundation on which to build their future careers. For all these reasons, students are strongly encouraged to Major in Political Science and, for those interested in pursuing more advanced study, to apply to the Political Science Department's Honours program.

Departmental Policy for Majors
To earn a Major in Political Science, students must complete a minimum of forty-two (42) credit hours in Political Science courses. The Department requires six (6) credit hours at the 1000-level. Of these, three (3) credit hours must be in Political Science. The remaining three (3) credit hours may be either in Political Science or in one of the following cognate disciplines: Economics, History, Philosophy or Sociology. Students who intend to graduate with a Major in Political Science must complete a minimum of eighteen (18) credit hours (of the forty-two (42) required credits) at the 2000-level, chosen from among the courses surveying the core fields of the discipline: POLI 2304.0 Canadian Politics in the 21st Century, POLI 2380.0 Comparative Politics, POLI 2305.0 International Relations, and POLI 2335.0 History of Political Thought.  The remaining eighteen (18) of the forty-two (42) required credits must be completed in 3000-level and 4000-level Political Science courses.

Students require a minimum grade of C (2.00) in 1000 level Political Science Courses in order to declare a Major. Upon declaring a Major, students are also required to meet with the Department Chair or the Political Science Program Advisor, to review program requirements and course selection options.

Departmental Policy for Honours
The objective of the Bachelor of Arts Honours program in Political Science is to attract and graduate students with a demonstrated capacity to conduct original research. Students interested in pursuing postgraduate degrees are particularly encouraged to apply.

Admission Requirements
Students should officially apply for admission to the Honours program upon the completion of their 1000 and 2000-level Political Science course requirements. Forms are available from the Registrar's/Records Office. As part of the admissions process, the Department, in consultation with the Honours applicants, will assign an Honours advisor and will approve the major area of concentration.

In order to be considered for admission to the Political Science Honours program, a student must normally have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.33 in both Political Science and non-Political Science courses. Students are reminded that the admission requirements mentioned above constitute a minimum.

Requirements for Continuance in and for Graduation with Honours in Political Science

In order to continue in and to graduate with Honours standing, students must meet the Faculty of Arts requirements for the Honours Bachelor of Arts degree. Honours students must also achieve and maintain a minimum yearly and cumulative grade point average of 3.33 in both Political Science and non-Political Science courses.

Honours students must complete a minimum of sixty (60) credit hours in Political Science, beginning with the 1000- level requirements of the Major (three (3) credit hours in Political Science and an additional three (3) credit hours in either Political Science or in one of the cognate disciplines listed above). Honours students must also complete a minimum of eighteen (18) credit hours at the 2000-level chosen from among the courses surveying the core fields of the discipline: POLI 2304.0 Canadian Politics in the 21st Century, POLI 2380.0 Comparative Politics, POLI 2305.0 International Relations, and POLI 2335.0 History of Political Thought. A maximum of six (6) credit hours in Political Science at the 1000-level, and twenty-four (24) credit hours in Political Science at the 2000-level, may be taken towards the Honours degree. The remaining credit hours of the sixty (60) required credits must be completed in 3000-level and 4000-level Political Science courses, including those specified below.

Honours students must complete at least three (3) credit hours in the POLI 4510.1 Honours Seminar course as well as three (3) credit hours in the POLI 4520.1 Honours Colloquium course, in addition to POLI 4500.0 (the Honours Essay course). The Department may consider as equivalent either two three (3) credit hour seminar courses,
or a six (6) credit hour seminar in a cognate discipline, or upgraded senior-level courses in the Department, in lieu of the Honours seminar and/or colloquium requirements.  Honours students must submit an Honours essay (10,000 words) in their major area of concentration by March 15 of their final Honours year. The Honours advisor and
Department must approve the Honours essay before a degree is recommended.

Honours students are encouraged to register for thirty (30) credit hours in the final Honours year.

Departmental Policy for Minors
To earn a Minor in Political Science students must complete at least twenty-four (24) credit hours in Political Science courses, including at least three (3) credit hours at the 1000-level in Political Science and an additional three (3) credit hours at the 1000-level either in Political Science or in one of the cognate disciplines listed above. A
maximum of six (6) credit hours at the 1000-level may be taken toward the Minor. Remaining degree requirements must be drawn from Political Science courses at the 2000- level or higher.

In order to continue in and to graduate with a Minor in Political Science, students must achieve and maintain a minimum yearly and cumulative grade point average of 2.00 in both Political Science and non-Political Science courses.

Departmental Policy for Concentration
Students who intend to obtain a concentration in Political Science in partial fulfillment of the B.A. General degree (i.e., one with Double Arts Concentrations and a minimum of ninety (90) credit hours), must complete at least twentyfour (24) credit hours in Political Science, of which a maximum of six (6) may be taken at the 1000-level. The
student must also obtain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00.

This page last modified Tuesday, 08-Nov-2011 15:57:58 AST