The following undergraduate programs are available in the Department of Political Science:

1. Honours in Political Science

2. Major in Political Science

3. Honours and Major in Political Science (Co-operative)

4. Minor in Political Science

The Department also offers two Political Science concentrations: a concentration in Canadian Government and a concentration in Global Studies. These concentrations are applicable to all programs in Political Science other than the Minor.

Political Science 1000 provides an introduction to the study of politics, power, law, public policy and government. Courses at the 2000-level offer an introduction to major fields and can be taken beginning in a student's first year of study. Courses at the 3000-level usually assume that students have completed at least two courses in Political Science including the corresponding 2000-level introductory course. At the 4000-level, courses are advanced seminars with small enrollment caps, and therefore have formal prerequisites.

The second digit in each course number designates a field in Political Science. Students interested in notionally concentrating in an area may be guided in their course selections, as follows:

• Second Digit
• 0 General & Research techniques
• 1 Political theory
• 2 International politics
• 3 Comparative politics
• 6 Public policy and public administration
• 8 Canadian politics
• 9 Special topics

• All Political Science courses are designated by the abbreviation POSC.

In accordance with UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS - Year of Degree and Departmental Regulations - Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Science, students for a Political Science Honours, Majors or Minor who had completed a 2000-level course or above in Political Science prior to September 2009 will normally follow the departmental regulations in effect at that time. For those students, POSC 2800 may be substituted for 2710; one of POSC 2100, 2600 or 3810 may be substituted for 2711; 3011 need not apply; and prerequisites for 4000-level courses (except POSC 4010, 4011, 4600) may be substituted with at least 12 credit hours in Political Science including at least 6 credit hours at the 3000-level. Such students may instead elect to follow the degree regulations outlined in this version of the Calendar. A student who, prior to September 2009, had completed both of POSC 1010 and 1020 but who had not yet completed a 2000-level course or above in Political Science, is exempted from the 1000 requirement. In all other cases, such as Minors and concentrations, the corresponding renumbered course will apply (e.g., POSC 2100 for 2000, 2800 for 2710).

1. An Honours degree provides students with additional research and writing skills, may be required for admission to a graduate program, and may be useful preparation for law and other professional fields. Students considering the Honours program are encouraged to apply before their fourth semester and to begin considering a potential Honours research topic before their seventh semester. Admission to the program is in accordance with UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS and the Regulations for the Honours Degree of Bachelor of Arts.

2. In addition to meeting the general requirements for the degree, students for a B.A.(Hons.) in Political Science must complete at least 60 credit hours in courses offered by the Department, including:

   1. POSC 1000;

   2. a minimum of 15 credit hours at the 2000-level, which must include POSC 2010, 2100, 2800, and a minimum of two of POSC 2200, 2300, 2600;

   3. a minimum of 36 credit hours at the 3000-level or above, which must include;

      1. a minimum of 18 credit hours at the 3000-level, which must include POSC 3010, a minimum of 3 credit hours from a course numbered 32xx or 33xx, and a minimum of 3 credit hours from a course numbered 36xx or 38xx; and,

      2. a minimum of 15 credit hours at the 4000-level, which must include POSC 4010, 4011.

         Notes:

         1. No more than one of POSC 1010 or 1020 can be included among the 60 Political Science credit hours required for an Honours degree.

         2. For Honours, Philosophy 3870 and 3890 may be substituted for 3000-level Political Science credit hours (31xx), and Women's Studies 4005 may be substituted for 4000-level Political Science credit hours (41xx). No other such substitutions may apply.

         3. If the Honours essay topic encompasses one of Canadian Government or Global Studies, the POSC 4010 and 4011 may be applied towards the applicable Political Science concentration, subject to permission of the Head of the Department.

3. Students for an Honours degree are required to select courses as specified under Honours in Political Science. A possible course pattern is presented in Table 1: Course Pattern for an Honours in Political Science.

   Table 1: Course Pattern for an Honours in Political Science (POSC)

   Term	Political Science Courses (POSC)	Credit Hours
   Fall Academic Term 1	POSC 1000	3
   Winter Academic Term 2	POSC 2010, 2800	6
   Fall & Winter Academic Terms 3 and 4	POSC 2100 and two of 2200, 2300 or 2600 One of POSC 36xx or 38xx	12
   Fall & Winter Academic Terms 5 and 6	POSC 3010 and five other 3000-levels (at least one of 32xx or 33xx) One POSC course at the 4000-level	21
   Fall Academic Term 7	POSC 4010 Two other POSC courses at the 4000-level	9
   Winter Academic Term 8	POSC 4011 Two other POSC courses at the 3000- or 4000-levels	9

4. Prior to enrolling in POSC 4010, all Honours students should review the Guidelines Governing Honours Essays available from the Head of the Department, and are required to follow these guidelines while enrolled in POSC 4010 and 4011.

5. Students electing Joint Honours are required to complete at least 51 credit hours in Political Science, including POSC 2010, and including 42 credit hours chosen in accordance with the pattern set out in the degree regulations for a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Political Science. If the student chooses to complete the Honours Essay (POSC 4010 and 4011) in Political Science, it must be passed with a grade of 70% or better.

1. In addition to meeting the general requirements for the degree, students for a B.A. with a Major in Political Science must complete at least 42 credit hours in courses offered by the Department, including:

   1. POSC 1000;

   2. a minimum of 12 credit hours at the 2000-level, which must include: POSC 2100, 2800 and a minimum of two of 2200, 2300, 2600;

   3. a minimum of 15 credit hours at the 3000-level, which must include: POSC 3010, a minimum of 3 credit hours from a course numbered 32xx or 33xx, and a minimum of 3 credit hours from a course numbered 36xx or 38xx; and,

   4. a minimum of 9 credit hours at the 4000-level.

      Notes:

      1. No more than one of POSC 1010 or 1020 can be included among the 42 Political Science credit hours required for a Major.

      2. POSC 2010 is a recommended choice for a Major.

      3. For a Major, Philosophy 3870 and 3890 may be substituted for 3000-level Political Science credit hours (31xx), and Women’s Studies 4005 may be substituted for 4000-level Political Science credit hours (41xx). No other such substitutions may apply.

2. Students for a Major degree are required to select courses as specified under Major in Political Science. A possible course pattern is presented in Table 2: Course Pattern for a Major in Political Science.

   Table 2: Course Pattern for a Major in Political Science (POSC)

   Term	Political Science Courses (POSC)	Credit Hours
   Fall Academic Term 1	POSC 1000	3
   Winter Academic Term 2	POSC 2010, 2800 (POSC 2010 is a recommended choice)	6
   Fall & Winter Academic Terms 3 and 4	POSC 2100 and two of 2200, 2300 or 2600 One of POSC 36xx or 38xx	12
   Fall & Winter Academic Terms 5 and 6	POSC 3010 and three other 3000-levels (at least one of 32xx or 33xx)	12
   Fall & Winter Academic Terms 7 and 8	Three 4000-level POSC courses	9

While meeting the requirements for a program in Political Science, other than a Minor in Political Science, students may optionally select courses in one of two formal concentrations which, if completed, will be noted on the student’s transcript. A possible course pattern is presented in Table 3: Course Pattern for Optional Political Science (POSC) Concentration.

The concentration in Canadian Government is applicable to all programs in Political Science other than the Minor in Political Science. As part of their course selection, students opting for a Canadian Government concentration will complete a minimum of 24 credit hours in POSC courses emphasizing public policy (second digit is “6") and/or Canadian politics (second digit is “8"). These POSC x6xx and/or x8xx credit hours must include 2600 and 2800, and at least 6 credit hours at the 4000 level.

The concentration in Global Studies is applicable to all programs in Political Science other than the Minor in Political Science. As part of their course selection, students opting for a Global Studies concentration will complete a minimum of 24 credit hours in POSC courses emphasizing international politics (second digit is “2”) and/or comparative politics (second digit is “3”). These POSC x2xx and/or x3xx credit hours must include 2200 and 2300, and at least 6 credit hours at the 4000-level. Up to 6 credit hours from political theory POSC courses (second digit is “1”) at the 31xx and/or 41xx level may be included among the 24 credit hours.

The Political Science Co-operative Education Program (PSCE) is available to full-time Political Science Honours and Majors students only.

The PSCE provides an opportunity for students to obtain public policy and other relevant full-time employment experience in fields related to Political Science, particularly governmental organizations. Students will apply their academic knowledge to practical situations as they develop their research, analysis and writing skills, as well as their career interests. A commitment to ethical and professional conduct is expected of all students.

Candidates who are accepted into the PSCE must complete the normal requirements for their degree, as well as three full-time work terms. In addition to following the PSCE regulations, students must satisfy the Bachelor of Arts General Degree Regulations, the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree Regulations, and the Department’s requirements for the Honours in Political Science or the Major in Political Science, as applicable. Additional information about the PSCE can be found on the Department of Political Science website at www.mun.ca/posc.

Admission to the Political Science Co-operative Education Program is competitive and selective.

The primary criterion used in reaching decisions on applications is overall academic achievement. Students with weak academic records are unlikely to be admitted.

Application forms can be obtained from the Department. The annual deadline for application is November 15 (or the next business day). Application should be made in the Fall when a student expects to have completed a minimum of 42 credit hours, including POSC 1000 and 2800 (2010 and 2600 are strongly recommended), by the end of that semester.

Admission criteria include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

1. students currently enrolled in the Honours in Political Science or a Major in Political Science; and

2. an overall average of at least 65%, and a minimum average of 70% in Political Science courses.

3. Applicants transferring from another institution must normally have completed at least one semester at Memorial University of Newfoundland before applying to the program.

4. Applicants may be asked to attend an interview.

1. In addition to the requirements below students must fulfill all requirements for either a Honours or Major in Political Science.

2. Students’ status in the program is assessed at the end of each semester. To be eligible to continue, students must maintain a course load of 15 credit hours in each Academic Term as indicated under Table 4: Suggested Course Pattern for the PSCE Program (Honours) and Table 5: Suggested Course Pattern for the PSCE Program (Major), and maintain a cumulative average of at least 65% and an average of at least 70% in Political Science courses. Students who fail to maintain the required averages will be required to withdraw from the PSCE. Such students may apply for readmission in a subsequent year after re-establishing the required averages.

3. Students must complete three work terms at the prescribed times as indicated under Table 4: Suggested Course Pattern for the PSCE Program (Honours) and Table 5: Suggested Course Pattern for the PSCE Program (Major).

4. Work terms normally begin after the student has completed four academic terms. Academic Term 8 must not be completed before Work Term 3. Students may elect to complete one other course during a placement, subject to the approval of the Head of Department, as long as this does not interfere with the successful completion of the work term.

5. The selection of Honours Essay semesters must be discussed with the student's Essay supervisor.

6. It is recommended that Honours students complete POSC 4010 (Honours Essay I) prior to enrollment in 460W.

The Program is coordinated by the Division of Co-operative Education (DCE). Information regarding the DCE can be found at www.mun.ca/coop. The DCE is responsible for counseling students; delivering professional development seminars; identifying and liaising with employers; organizing competitions for work term placements; arranging student-employer interviews and facilities; coordinating database management; administering work placements; visiting students on their work assignments; evaluating the work term in consultation with the Department; and the continuous development of employer opportunities. The Program is overseen by a designated Department faculty member, who is ordinarily the administrator of POSC 260W/360W/460W, and supervised by the Head of the Department. These academic liaisons work closely with the DCE coordinator.

1. A student admitted to the co-op program gives permission to the University to provide a copy of the student’s résumé, university transcript and work term evaluations to potential employers.

2. The dates for starting and finishing each work term are shown in the University Diary. At the start of the job competition the Division of Co-operative Education will normally provide a detailed description of each available position. Work placements cannot be guaranteed though every effort is made to ensure that appropriate employment is made available. With the express permission of the DCE, students may identify and initiate contact with a potential employer outside of the placement competition, though the designated faculty member must ultimately approve all positions. Such jobs must be confirmed by letter from the employer before the first day of the work period.

1. At least one work term must occur in a Fall or Winter semester. The final work term must be completed before the final academic term. Competition for placements is heaviest in the Spring semester and students are strongly recommended to complete one Spring placement outside of the St. John’s area. With permission of the DCE coordinator, and in consultation with the designated faculty member, a student may complete a maximum of two work terms in consecutive semesters.

2. During the first week of a work placement, students must provide a completed confidentiality and professional conduct agreement to the DCE coordinator.

3. Within two weeks of starting a work term, students must submit a plan of learning objectives for that placement to the Division of Co-operative Education. The placement should normally entail 35 hours of work per week for 12 weeks for a minimum total of 420 hours. Students must maintain an attendance form that must be regularly initialed by the employer and a completed copy must be submitted with the reflective essay.

4. Remuneration for work placements is determined by employers based on their internal wage structures. Salaries tend to increase as students progress through the program and assume more responsibility. Students must not expect any such income to make them completely self-supporting.

1. The first of three components of a work term evaluation will be the preparation of a written assignment such as a briefing note and/or a cabinet paper of a topical issue relevant to the student’s placement. This will be assigned and assessed by the designated faculty member who will consider it when arriving at the final grade for POSC 260W, 360W or 460W as applicable. The note is to be submitted to both the faculty member and the employer.

2. The second evaluation component will be of a student’s on-the-job performance. This will be assessed by the DCE coordinator using information gathered during the work term and input from the employer. Formal written documentation from the employer will be sought and the employer will be encouraged to provide students with an exit interview.

3. The third evaluation component will be of a substantive reflective essay which must be submitted to the DCE coordinator on the first day of the final examination period. Reflective essays will be evaluated by the DCE coordinator. When preparing the essay the student must continue to respect the confidentiality of the employer. Late essays will not be graded unless prior permission was granted by the designated faculty member.

4. Evaluation of the briefing note and/or cabinet paper, job performance and of the reflective essay will each result in one of the following classifications: outstanding, above expectations, satisfactory, fail. These are recorded separately on the student’s transcript.

5. Overall evaluation of the work term will result in one of the following final grades being awarded for POSC 260W, 360W or 460W as applicable, which will be noted on the student’s transcript:

   • Pass with Distinction: Indicates outstanding performance in the briefing note and/or cabinet paper, the reflective essay and the job performance.

   • Pass: Indicates that performance meets expectations in the briefing note and/or cabinet paper, the reflective essay and the job performance.

   • Fail: Indicates failing performance in one or more of the briefing note and/or cabinet paper, the reflective essay and/or the job performance.

   To be eligible for promotion from the work term and continuation in the PSCE a student must not be awarded a Fail. Students should also refer to the UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS - General Academic Regulations (Undergraduate). If a student fails the work term the student will be required to withdraw from the PSCE. Such a student may reapply to the program after a lapse of two semesters, at which time the student will be required to repeat the work term with satisfactory performance. A given work term may be repeated only once and only one work term may be repeated in the entire Program.

6. A student who accepts a job placement and who subsequently withdraws from a work term without acceptable cause will be required to withdraw permanently from the PSCE. Students who drop a work term without prior approval from both the DCE coordinator and the designated faculty member, or who do not honour an agreement to work with an employer, or who conduct themselves in such a manner as to cause their discharge from the job, will normally be awarded a grade of Fail for the work term in question. Permission to drop a work term does not constitute a waiver of degree requirements and students who have obtained such permission must complete an approved work term in lieu of the one dropped.

7. A student who has already completed a work placement outside of the PSCE may, upon approval of the DCE coordinator and of the designated faculty member, receive an exemption for a maximum of one work term placement in lieu of POSC 260W or 360W. Such a student must provide documentation of completion of a comparable level of work and submit a reflective essay for evaluation by the DCE coordinator. A written evaluation of the student’s on-the-job performance will be required from the employer.

1. Students for a Minor in Political Science must complete at least 24 credit hours in courses offered by the Department, including:

   1. POSC 1000;

   2. a minimum of 6 credit hours at the 2000-level, which must include POSC 2800; and

   3. a minimum of 12 credit hours at the 3000-level or above, which must include at least 3 credit hours at the 4000-level.

      Notes:

      1. No more than one of POSC 1010 or 1020 can be included among the 24 POSC credit hours required for a Minor.

      2. POSC 2010 and 3010 are recommended choices for a Minor.

      3. For a Minor, credit hours in another discipline may not be substituted for POSC credit hours.

2. Students for a Minor are required to select courses as specified under Minor in Political Science. A possible course pattern is presented in Table 6: Course Pattern for a Minor in Political Science.

1. Students for an Honours, a Major or a Minor in Political Science may consult with the Head of the Department or its Undergraduate Advisor to receive advice on Political Science course selections. As part of their non-Political Science electives, Honours or Major students may consider courses with associated content offered by other departments, such as Economics, History, Philosophy, Sociology, or Women’s Studies. Related university programs or certificates of interest may include Aboriginal studies, Canadian Studies, Criminology, European studies, Law and Society, Newfoundland and Labrador studies, Public Administration and Police Studies.

2. The Department's website at www.mun.ca/posc features details about upcoming course offerings, course instructors, the undergraduate (Honours, Major, Minor) and graduate (Master of Arts) programs, work internships, studying abroad opportunities, special events, frequently asked questions, and more. In the event of conflicting information, the official University Calendar and information issued by the Office of the Registrar shall take precedence.

1. The following prerequisite schedule applies to Political Science courses, except Co-operative work term courses.

   1. All research techniques courses POSC 2010, 3010, 4010, 4011 have prerequisites specified in their descriptions.

   2. 1000-level: No prerequisites. Suitable for students in all disciplines.

   3. 2000-level: Except for POSC 2010, no prerequisites. Completion of POSC 1000 is generally recommended.

   4. 3000-level: Except for POSC 3010, no prerequisites. Completion of a corresponding 2000-level area introduction course is generally recommended as outlined under Table 7: Recommended Course Sequencing by Student's Area of Interest.

   5. 4000-level: Prerequisites are specified in course descriptions. Completion of at least 12 credit hours in Political Science, including 6 at the 3000-level, is generally recommended.

2. Anticipated completion of an introductory course is generally recommended prior to enrolling in a corresponding course at the next level. Students following this path may opt to take courses in the same area in the same academic year (e.g., if a 2000-level course is completed in Fall then a corresponding 3000-level course may be taken in Winter). This is presented, for illustrative purposes only, in Table 7: Recommended Course Sequencing by Student’s Area of Interest.

With the written consent of the course instructor and the Head of the Department, certain prerequisite requirements may be waived.

In accordance with Senate's Policy Regarding Inactive Courses, the course descriptions for courses which have not been offered in the previous three academic years and which are not scheduled to be offered in the current academic year have been removed from the following listing. For information about any of these inactive courses, please contact the Head of the Department or view the website at www.mun.ca/posc.

Enrollment in Political Science courses is limited. First priority is given to students registered as an Honours, Major or Minor in Political Science. During this time other students may be temporarily placed on a wait list.

Political Science courses are designated by POSC.

The following Work Terms are requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Honours (Co-operative) and Bachelor of Arts (Co-operative) programs only.