If you're planning to major in Political Science, you'll need to complete:
7.5 units of political science courses at the 100- and 200-levels, including at least one of POLI 101 and 201, with a grade of at least C+ in each course. It is strongly recommended that these courses be taken during the first two years of a student’s program. Students should take a broad range of courses, including at least one on Canadian politics, one on comparative politics, one on international politics, and one in political theory. Some courses on offer will incorporate material from more than one of these fields.
15 units of Political Science courses at the 300- or 400-level, including at least one of POLI 300A, POLI 300B, or POLI 300C, one course from each of the Groups II-V, and one 400-level course. A course on methods of political analysis (POLI 321) is strongly recommended. SOSC 300 and EUS 300 are each accepted in lieu of 1.5 units of upper-level POLI coursework.
**Complete 1.5 units of Political Science courses focussed on Indigenous politics, either POLI 263 or 363. POLI 263 is strongly recommended. POLI 263 can be used to satisfy the Indigenous politics requirement and also count towards lower level requirements. POLI 363 cannot be used to satisfy both the Indigenous politics requirement and the Canadian group requirement.
**Note: this is a new requirement for students entering the program in September 2021.
Meet with a Political Science advisor for more detailed advice about program planning. In general, you should complete the 200-level course in a particular field before taking a 300-level courses in that field.
All 400-level courses in Political Science are seminar courses.
You must also meet the general requirements for BA degrees established by the University and the Faculty of Social Sciences as described in the University Calendar.
The minor program in Political Science requires:
- 6 units of courses numbered at the 100- or 200-level
- 9 units of courses numbered at the 300- or 400-level
You can declare your major at the beginning of your second year. We encourage you to do so as soon as you have 3rd-year standing. The sooner your program is declared, the better your chances of meeting your program requirements in time to graduate.
Make an appointment with the Academic Advising Centre (Room A205, University Centre) to declare your program. You can change your program at any time by consulting with the Academic Advising Centre. Be aware that limitations may apply to certain proposed program combinations. Note that you must meet the Academic Writing Requirement before you declare your program.
If you choose to pursue an honours degree in Political Science, you'll complete additional Political Science coursework and choose a concentration in one of the four discipline sub-fields. In your fourth year you will research, write and present an Honours Essay, which provides you an opportunity to investigate a problem in depth. Many students choose to pursue an honours degree to get a taste for the kind of scholarship that they would encounter in graduate school. An honours degree is traditionally considered excellent preparation for graduate school.
More information is available in the University Calendar. If you're interested in pursuing an honours degree, contact the Honours Advisor, Dr. Simon Glezos before your third year.
Admission to the Honours Program requires a minimum GPA of 6.0 in at least 7.5 units of political science courses numbered at the 100- or 200-level. Students are admitted to the Honours Program in Political Science at the beginning of their third year.
Contact the Political Science Honours Advisor before May 31 preceding the year in which you wish to be admitted to third-year honours. More information about the Honours Program is available here.
The Political Science Co-op program provides students with an opportunity to combine their academic studies with 4-month periods of paid employment in political science-related positions in the public, private or non-profit sectors.
For more information please visit Political Science Co-op or contact the Co-op Coordinator at sscoopsoord@uvic.ca DTB A204.
Students interested in Co-op need to submit the application form which is available from the Social Sciences Co-op office (DTB A204), and supporting documents (i.e. your resume, letter of interest, and unofficial transcripts).
The deadline is September 15 or January 15. Application forms are available one month before the deadline. For more information please visit Political Science Co-op or contact the Co-op Coordinator at sscoopsoord@uvic.ca DTB A204.
To be considered for admission to the Co-op program, students normally require a minimum GPA of 5.0 in 100 and 200-level Political Science courses. In addition to these grade and course requirements, admission will also be based on a student’s interests and abilities.
The European Studies Option is a specialization designed for students pursuing a major or honours degree in Political Science. This program allows you to immerse yourself in European politics, and to compare and contrast the Canadian and European systems. Students are required to spend one term of study in Europe which is a great way to experience your area of study first hand!
More information is available on the European Studies website.
The Social Justice Studies minor offers students a thorough understanding of the complexity of social justice issues in our world. For more information please visit the Social Justice website.
Political Science alumni work in many fields including the government, law, education, business and journalism.
Brightspace is an online learning platform. Instructors use this platform to send e-mails, post messages, view powerpoints, create discussion forums, and upload assignments and quizzes. More information about Brightspace is available here.
The McPherson Library has material available on electronic reserve. Your instructor has contacted the library and placed readings or other material on e-reserve. You can access online materials through the reserve-reading list for of your courses.
The Centre for Academic Communication works with faculty and students to promote equity and accessibility for students with a disability. You can also meet with your instructor or TA to discuss your paper topics and/or outline.
You can request a deferral or make-up mid-term test/examination directly from your instructor. You'll make specific arrangements to complete any missed or late work with your instructor. If the request for deferral or substitution of term work is denied, you can appeal as described under Appeals.
If the due date for the deferred work is beyond the end of the term, you must submit a Request for Academic Concession to Undergraduate Records .
By submitting a Request for Academic Concession, you are applying for Deferred Status. You MUST apply for Deferred (DEF) status by completing a RAC at Undergraduate Records normally within ten working days of the end of the examination period. You must provide supporting documentation. Undergraduate Records will ask the instructor to consider your request.
In some cases, the instructor may submit a final grade based on the work you completed. This grade will be listed on your transcript with the notation AEG. If deferred status is granted, you must complete any required course work (including exams) by the end of the following term.
- Courses ending in December - outstanding work must be completed by the following April.
- Courses ending in April- outstanding work must be completed by the following August.
- Summer Studies courses- outstanding work must be completed by the following December.
Learn more about Deferred Status in the UVic Calendar.
If you become ill and are unable to write an exam, e-mail your instructor. You can request deferral or substitution of a mid-term test/examination or of other work which is due during the term. Arrangements to complete such missed or late work must be made between the student and the instructor.
If you are eligible to register, you'll receive an e-mail listing your registration date and time through MyPage. You can find your registration date and time by logging into MYPAGE and clicking on the following: Students > Student > Class Registration > Check Registration Status.
Since classes fill up fast, it is important to register for both terms as soon as possible on or right after the date and time shown.
You are permitted to take nine units per term. There are three terms per session (May-August, September-December and January-April.) To get permission to take more units than permitted, contact the Advising Centre.
There are several ways to get information about which courses to take towards your degree. The requirements for a major or minor in Political Science are listed in the Calendar as well as in this FAQ section. You can also consult with a Political Science Advisor.
If you're interested in doing a major in Political Science and would like more information, contact one of our Advisors to arrange an appointment. More information about POLI Undergraduate Advising.
For more general information or advice regarding programs, courses or university and faculty regulations, contact the Academic Advising Centre 250-721-7567 or advising@uvic.ca.
There are three ways to find out which courses are being offered:
To help plan your timetable, use a timetable sheet.
Every course is assigned a section number. These start with a letter which identifies the type of section. Lecture sections start with an 'A' and tutorial sections start with a 'T'. They are followed by a two digit sequence number.
The difference between lecture and seminar courses is the class size and level of instruction. Lower-level lecture courses (100-200-level) are introductory and may have up to 200 students in the class and include a mandatory tutorial section. Tutorials offer you a chance to discuss course material in a small group setting. They are taught by teaching assistants (graduate students) and are held once a week. Lecture courses at the 300-level are more advanced and have a maximum of 50 students in each class. Seminar courses are 400-level and have a maximum enrollment of 25 students and often combine undergraduate and graduate sections. They offer the most advanced level of instruction. Generally seminar courses are offered once a week for 3 hours.
A tutorial is a mandatory requirement for lower level Political Science courses. Tutorials offer you a chance to discuss course material in a small group setting. They are taught by teaching assistants (graduate students) and are held once a week.
Please note: Make sure you are registered in the right tutorial section at the beginning of the semester.
YES! You should attend tutorials as they will help you learn and understand the course material. Your tutorial grade is a component of your course grade.
If the course is full and has a waitlist, you can choose to add yourself to the waitlist.
On the "Add Courses" screen, choose Waitlisted from the Action pull-down list, then click on Submit Changes. You will then have to confirm that you want to waitlist by clicking again.
Go to the Waitlisting menu option to monitor your position, confirm your place, drop from the waitlist and register in the class.
This depends on how many students drop the course, or are dropped from the course. Your best option is to attend the first three hours of the course and introduce yourself to the instructor in the hopes that a seat will become available.
Many instructors allow the registration system to manage the waitlist itself. When a student drops the class, the first student on the waitlist will get an e-mail with a "waitlist offer" which gives the student 24 hours to register in the course.
It is the responsibility of wait-listed students to check their e-mail regularly. Your registration offer will expire after 24 hours and you'll have to add yourself back onto the bottom of the waitlist.
Other instructors manage waitlists and will take attendance to see if any registered students are not attending class and to verify that wait-listed students are attending class. Waitlisted students should plan to attend the first three hours of the course. After the first three hours, the instructor will drop from the class those students who have not attended and will send waitlist offers of registration to selected students.
Once again, if you are on a waitlist, it is your responsibility to check your e-mail address regularly: once the 24-hour period has passed, your registration offer will expire and you will have to add yourself back onto the bottom of the waitlist.
Check the prerequisites before you enrol in a course. If you don't have the prerequisites but believe you have the required background, contact the instructor to get permission. If the instructor gives you permission, forward this information to the Political Science department poliao@uvic.ca who will give you a registration override for the course.
The major restrictions are courses for Political Science students. Speak to Academic Advising about declaring your major or minor in Political Science.
You must meet the course requirements before enrolling in a class in order to be fully prepared.
If you think that the restriction should be waived, see the course instructor or undergraduate advisor. If the instructor or advisor grants you permission, it is up to you to forward this information to the Political Science Department at poliao@uvic.ca. Once the Admin Officer has proof that the instructor has granted permission, she will process an override which will allow you to register.
Contact the English/History department. If you are trying to get into a Political Science class, you contact the Political Science department.
First year students should enroll in POLI 101 and 103. You can find the requirements for the Faculty of Social Sciences here. We encourage students to try out a variety of areas of study, to help them decide which areas best suit their interests and needs.
