Independent Study/Internship Units
Important department deadlines for
all Independent Study/Internship units:
-Friday of the 3rd week of classes (fall/spring semesters)
-Friday of the 1st week of classes (summer sessions
A and D)
Independent Study/Internship forms must be instructor-signed
and returned to 296 Barrows no later than the deadlines given above. Forms
are obtainable at the Undergraduate Advising Office, 296 Barrows. See
enrollment procedures below.
Independent study courses, field study, P/NP courses, labs, simulations,
and similar non-lecture courses do not fulfill requirements in
the major.
Students should enroll in back-up units in case their applications are denied.
Independent Study or Research: PS 99, 199, or 196
A maximum of two semesters of independent study or research may be taken by a student.
PS 99
Independent Study. For lower-division students (59 or fewer
units at the beginning of the relevant semester) who wish to work one-on-one
with a member of the Political Science faculty on a research project.
This project could be self-initiated, or you may assist an instructor
with their research project.
Requirements: a minimum of 10 pages of written work for each unit
of credit. Students must gauge the size of the paper they wish to write
beforehand, discuss it with their faculty sponsor, and choose the number
of units to enroll for accordingly.
1-4 units. Pass/Not Pass only.
Eligibility: PS 99 requires a cumulative gpa of 3.3, prior completion
of at least two Political Sciences courses, and adequate background for
the proposed study.
PS 199 Independent
Study. For upper-division
students (60 or more units completed at the beginning of the relevant
semester) who wish to work one-on-one with a member of the Political Science
faculty on a research project. This project could be self-initiated, or
you may assist an instructor with their research project.
Requirements: a minimum of 10 pages of written work for each unit
of credit. Students must gauge the size of the paper they wish to write
beforehand, discuss it with their faculty sponsor, and choose the number
of units to enroll for accordingly.
1- 4 units. Pass/Not Pass only.
Eligibility: PS 199 requires a cumulative gpa of 2.0 overall and
in the major,and adequate background for the proposed study.
PS 196 Independent
Study. For upper-division
students (60 or more units completed at the beginning of the relevant
semester) who wish to work one-on-one with a member of the Political Science
faculty on a research project. This project could be self-initiated, or
you may assist an instructor with their research project.
Requirements: a minimum of 10 pages of written work for each unit
of credit. Students must gauge the size of the paper they wish to write
beforehand, discuss it with their faculty sponsor, and choose the number
of units to enroll for accordingly.
1 - 4 units. Letter-graded only.
Eligibility: PS 196 requires a cumulative gpa of 2.0 overall and
in the major,and adequate background for the proposed study.
Limitations on PS 196: Students cannot sign up with the same faculty
sponsor twice.
Internship/Field Study: PS 197
PS 197 Field Study in Political Science.
For upper-division students (60 or more units completed at the beginning
of the relevant semester). Supervised experience relevant to specific
aspects of political science, for example in government offices or political
science-related non-profit organizations.
Requirements: Regular individual meetings with a faculty sponsor
and a minimum of 10 pages of written work for each unit of credit. Students
must gauge the size of the paper they wish to write beforehand, discuss
it with their faculty sponsor, and choose the number of units to enroll
for accordingly.
1-3 units. Pass/Not Pass only.
Enrollment Procedure for PS 99, 199, 196, and 197.
- Obtain the Independent/Internship form at the Office of Undergraduate Advising, 296 Barrows.
- Complete the form and obtain your faculty sponsor's signature.
- Return the instructor-signed form to 296 Barrows no later than Friday at 4 pm during the 3rd week of classes (spring or fall semester) or Friday at 4 pm during the 1st week of summer classes (Summer sessions A and D).