Program Requirements

Honours Program

Students will be admitted to the Honours Program in Political Science, at the discretion of the department, at the beginning of the third year. Students must have a minimum GPA of 6.0 in at least 6 units of Political Science courses numbered at the 100 or 200 level. To continue in the program in the fourth year, students must secure a GPA of at least 6.5 in Political Science courses taken during the third year, and maintain an overall sessional GPA of 6.0.

Students wishing to be admitted to the Honours program must contact the Political Science Honours adviser in writing no later than May 31 preceding the year in which they wish to take POLI 338 and 339, and be admitted to third-year Honours. Admission decisions will be made by the Honours adviser no later than the beginning of winter-session registration (in late June). POLI 338 and 339 normally are taken in the student's third year, and 499 in the fourth year. Students are advised that because of limited staff and facilities, it may be necessary to limit enrolment in the Honours program.

The Honours program requires completion of:

1. 21 units of Political Science courses numbered at the 300 and 400 level and that include:
   • POLI 338
   • POLI 339
   • POLI 499
   • at least one of the core courses (marked * in the course index on this page) in each of Groups I-IV, and at least one fourth-year seminar course (POLI 401, 402, 412, 413, 414, 420, 422, 431, 432, 433, 434, 436, 442, 443, 444, 456, 458, 461, 462, or 465).
2. Either 6 units in one of the Groups I-IV or 6 units organized around a program of specialized study approved by the Honours Adviser and the student’s supervisor

Honours Graduation Standing

Graduation with Honours in Political Science requires:

1. a graduating average of 5.5 or higher
2. an average of 5.5 or higher in the best 21 units of Political Science at the 300 and 400 levels
3. at least a grade of B in POLI 499

Honours students are required to consult the Honours Adviser in the department when planning their programs for the third and fourth years.

Major Program

Students intending to major in Political Science are required to complete:

1. 6 units of Political Science courses at the 100 and 200 levels, 4.5 of which must be chosen from POLI 101, 103, 201, 202, 210 and 240, including at least one of 101 and 201, and with a grade of at least C+ in each of these three courses. It is strongly recommended that these courses be taken during the first two years of a student's program.
2. 15 units of Political Science courses at the 300 or 400 level, including at least one of the core courses (marked * in the course index on this page) from each of the Groups I-IV, and at least one fourth-year seminar course (POLI 401, 402, 412, 413, 414, 420, 422, 431, 432, 433, 434, 436, 442, 443, 444, 456, 458, 461, 462, or 465).

Major students are also strongly encouraged to take POLI 321: "Introduction to Research Methods in Politics".

Seminar courses are open only to students registered as Political Science Majors or Honours, or to non-Majors having the permission of the instructor. enrolment in seminar courses is limited to 20 students, while in other upper-level courses the limit is 50 students.

General and Minor Programs

A concentration in Political Science under the General or Minor Program requires:

1. 6 units of courses numbered at the 100 or 200 level
2. 9 units of courses numbered at the 300 or 400 level

Major and Honours Programs (European Studies Concentration)

The department of Political Science offers an interdisciplinary concentration in European Studies for Major and Honours students in Political Science. The concentration provides students with a specialized training in European politics, history, culture and languages as well as an educational or work experience in a European country. Students wishing to concentrate in European Studies must plan their program in consultation with the Director of European Studies.

Major and Honours students in Political Science who wish to graduate with a concentration in European Politics must complete:

1. POLI 211 and 311 with a grade of at least B in each
2. 4.5 units of approved courses on European Politics chosen from: POLI 300A, 300B, 300C, 340, 379, 414, 431 and any of POLI 319, 349 or 433 on (approved) European topics. For other courses, students need permission from the Director of European Studies
3. 6 units of courses on European History or Culture, including at least 3 units at the 300 level or above, to be approved by the Director of European Studies
4. 9 units of courses in a modern European Language (e.g., French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish)
5. Either a or b:
1. One of the following:
• EUS 390 (1.5);
• a minimum of 1.5 transferrable units from a European university obtained through a UVic International Exchange program;
• a minimum of 1.5 transferrable units from a European university through a Letter of Permission;
2. A minimum of one Co-op work term in a European country through the Social Sciences Co-operative Education Program.