On this page you will find out
information about the wide variety of programs you can follow
when studying Political Science. If you are really interested
in studying the political world, you should considermajoringin
PoliSci - perhaps as a joint major with Canadian
Studies, Economics,French & History,Latin American Studies,
or Women's
Studies.
TheHonorsprogram allows your to further specialize
in PoliSci and undertake a significant research project.
You might also consider Political
Science as aMinorto complement another subject in which
you are majoring.
There are two other exciting programs
you can include in your Political Science degree. The first
isCo-Op Education,
in which you can take several semesters during your degree
in paid work placements to enrich your practical experience
and enhance your employment opportunities after graduation.
The other is the International
Student Exchangeprogram, through
which your can study for up to a year at a university in one
of about 30 countries - and count it towards your SFU degree!
You can also take advantage of SFU'sDistance
Educationofferings, which allow you
to take many courses at your own pace during the term.
The Political Science Department currently
offers three courses through Distance Ed:
POL-151 - Introduction to the Administration
of Justice
POL-232 - Introduction to American Politics
POL-241 - Introduction to International
Politics
We hope to be able to offer the following
courses in the near future as well:
POL-100 - Introduction to Government and
Politics
POL-221 - Introduction to Canadian Government
POL-327 - Globalization & the
Canadian State
For information about the university's general
degree requirements, check theSFU
Calendar. In the Calendar, you will
also find the official version of the the Political Science
programsandcourse
descriptions. Please note that allofficial
policiesof the universityapply. Students
should take particular note of the following:
Students may wish to complement their Political
Science Major programme with a course from another SFU Department.
No more than 4 of the required 32 POL upper division credit
hours may be from such course substitution. To receive such
credit a course outline must be presented to the Student Advisor
for approval
prior to entry in the course.
Courses used for Political Science credit
may not be used to fulfill any other programme requirement.
However, in a Minor programme, substitutions are rarely
allowed. Approval for such substitution must be granted by
the Faculty of Arts Curriculum Committee (FACC). Please note
that no substitutions may be made in an Extended Minor
Programme.
Lower Division Requirements
Students must complete POL 100 and either POL
201 (formerly POL 213) or STAT 203. If a student plans to
take both POL 201 and STAT 203, a Field A credit may be claimed
for POL 201. In this situation, it is recommended that POL
201 be taken before STAT 203. In addition to POL 100 and 201,
12 credit hours in lower division POL courses, covering at
least three of the five fields of study, are required.
Upper Division Requirements
Students are required to complete 32
credit hours of upper division POL courses, covering at least
three of the five fields of study. Eight of these 32 credit
hours must be at the 400 level. This allows a student to concentrate
coursework in one field of study while attaining a broader
understanding of the political science discipline.
Students with a CGPA of 3.0 and an upper
division GPA of 3.33 are encouraged to apply for the honors
program. Application forms are available from the departmental
advisor. A complete application includes the essay proposal
for POL 499 (Honors Thesis) and a letter of evaluation from
the faculty member who has agreed to supervise and evaluate
the essay. Once the application is submitted, it will be reviewed
by the undergraduate studies committee in the semester prior
to entrance in the honors program.
Lower Division Requirements
Students must complete POL 100 and either POL
201 (formerly POL 213) or STAT 203. If a student plans to
take both POL 201 and STAT 203, a field A credit may be claimed
for POL 201. In this situation, it is recommended that POL
201 be taken before STAT 203. In addition to POL 100 and 201,
12 credit hours in lower division POL courses, covering at
least three of the five fields of study, are required.
Upper Division Requirements
Students must take a total of 53 credit
hours in upper division POL courses, covering at least three
fields of study. Of these 53 credit hours, 16 must be concentrated
in one field of study and five must be credited from POL 499
(Honors Essay). As well, 16 of these 53 credit hours must
be at the 400 level.
An honors program option in each of the fields of study is
not always offered. Current information is available from
the departmental advisor.
Lower Division Requirements
Students must complete POL 100 and at least
nine additional credit hours in lower division POL courses.
Upper Division Requirements
Students are required to complete 16 upper
division credit hours in any of the fields of study.
Extended Minor Program
The extended minor program is based on
the lower division requirements (100 and 200 level courses)
of the major program and the upper division requirements (300
and 400 level courses) of the minor program.
Joint Major in French, History
and Politics
Students must take 12 - 15 hours of lower
division Political Science courses, and at least 16 hours of
upper division Political Science courses. Political Science
100-3, Introduction to Politics and Government, is required
for completion of this program. The student may choose
courses in consultation with the Political Science Student Advisor,
or the Political Science representative on the Steering Committee
upon reviewing the guideline for course selection. It is emphasized
that such choices must fit in with the thematically criteria
of the Joint Major program to the satisfaction of the Steering
Committee.
Joint Major in Political Science
and Canadian Studies
The lower division requirements of this
program are identical to those of the major program in political
science except that students are encouraged but not required
to take POL 201 or STAT 203. The political science requirements
for upper division courses are as follows. A student must
complete 32 credit hours in three of the five fields of study.
Up to 12 credit hours that are available for credit in both
political science and Canadian studies may count toward the
upper division requirements of both departments.
For further information see the political science departmental
advisor.
Joint Major Program in Political
Science and Economics
This program is designed for students wishing
to explore the two fields of Political Science and Economics,
and wishing to develop a deeper appreciation of the ways in
which economic and political phenomena condition and interact
with one another in the modern world. Students are encouraged
to consult advisors in both Departments.
Joint Major Program in Political Science and Latin American
Studies
Political science requirements are identical
to the major program except that students are encouraged but
not required to take POL 201 or STAT 203. POL 337 may not
be used to satisfy Latin American studies requirements. For
further information see the political science or the Spanish
and Latin American studies departmental advisor. Complete
details are provided in the Latin American Studies Program
section.
Joint Major Program in Political Science and Women's
Studies
This program is designed for students
wishing to explore both the political dimensions and context
of women's experience, and the impact of women and feminist
theory on the practice and study of politics. Students
must consult advisors in both Departments.
Students must complete 24 upper division semester hours from
at least three Political Science Fields of Study. It
is strongly recommended that POL 416 be included in this selection.
Co-op is an international model of enriched
education, which integrates a studentÃs academic studies with
related work experience. The name reflects the co-operative
relationship between the educational institution, the employer,
and the student in realizing the program's objective. The program
is committed to providing quality opportunities, service and
relevance to the needs of both the workplace and the student
body. Following SFUÃs academic trimester system, students are
available for full-time, paid work terms year-round, for four
or eight months, beginning any term. Information sessions are
held on campus, and applications are submitted, at the beginning
of each semester. Accepted students then proceed through the
job competition process, as administered by the coop-coordinators.
Counselling on interview skills, resume development, and possible
career paths, helps students prepare for their co-op programs.
For further information, please contact: Caroline Rose at AQ
6078 (tel: 291-5751, email: caroline_rose@sfu.ca). The
Co-op website address is http://www.sfu.ca/coop.
To broaden your horizons during your
undergraduate program, why not consider studying in a foreign
country? SFU has exchange arrangements with 45 universities
in 27 countries around the world. You can take courses
for up to two semesters at the other university and count them
towards your SFU degree. For more information drop by the International
and Exchange Students Services office at MBC 1200, or visit
their web site: http://www.sfu.ca/international/IESS/
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