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Majoring in Poli.Sci

 
Old 12-27-2009 at 06:23 PM   #1
Maudjee22
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Majoring in Poli.Sci
Hi,
I'm a first year student looking into majoring in Political Science. I've done some research and just had one question... What is the main difference between B.A and B.A Honours in Poli.Sci??
This would be helpful since each have different expectations in order to get into...

Thanks!

- Maudj
Old 12-27-2009 at 06:58 PM   #2
huzaifa47
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maudjee22 View Post
Hi,
I'm a first year student looking into majoring in Political Science. I've done some research and just had one question... What is the main difference between B.A and B.A Honours in Poli.Sci??
This would be helpful since each have different expectations in order to get into...

Thanks!

- Maudj
Honours is four years.

A Simple BA is 3 years.

You get to do a thesis/guided reading course in 4th year for honors.

Honours is obviously more prestigious and hence much more popular. I only know one person who is doing just a BA.
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Huzaifa Saeed
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Old 12-27-2009 at 07:36 PM   #3
Maudjee22
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Okay.
Thanks so much.
So i'm guessing i'm better off with an honours, obviously...?
Old 12-27-2009 at 08:30 PM   #4
Maximiliano
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I'm currently in my fourth year doing an Honours B.A. degree in Political Science. Like the previous post said, an Honours B.A. in Political Science is more prestigous and if you plan on going to Graduate school to do an M.A. in Political Science, then most Graduate programs require an Honours B.A. degree and not a regular 3 year B.A. degree. However, some programs like an M.A. in International Affairs program, offers a qualifying year program if you have a B.A. and not an Honours B.A.

Also, if you are going to enter the four year program in Political Science, you don't have to do a thesis or reading course. The department does offer the option of completing an Honours Essay (thesis) and a third year reading course. In order for you to graduate, you do have to take two 4th year seminar courses in Political Science (except if you are doing a double major where you only do one).

I hope this post helped!

xo.monica says thanks to Maximiliano for this post.
Old 12-27-2009 at 08:37 PM   #5
Maudjee22
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omg. thanks soo much Maximiliano!
it definitely has helped!
so how is the course load for higher years in poli sci?
and it states that it is needed to take certain courses in 2nd and 3rd year...?
thankss!
Old 12-27-2009 at 08:58 PM   #6
Maximiliano
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I'm glad the post helped. To me the course load has been about the same.The fourth year seminars are a lot of work, but you do get to interact more closely with faculty members and I'm writing a thesis, which also allows you to work with a faculty member.

Also with the four year program. You have to take 3N06, which is a stats and research methods course for poli sci majors. There is very little math involved with this course, just analyzing statistics and data. However, most poli sci majors are nervous about taking this required course because they assume math is involved. I was nervous about taking the course because me and math don't do well together lol, but I did really well in it and it's an important course to take and it's required. You also have to take Poli Sci 2O06, which is a Political Theory course.

The fourth year seminars have prerequisties where you have to take the right 2nd and 3rd year courses to get into the 4th year seminars so I'm not sure if that answers your question with taking specific 2nd and 3rd year courses?

For me, fourth year is a lot more work just because of the seminars and I'm doing a thesis. If you do decide to do a thesis, you only take one seminar course; the thesis acts as your second seminar. However, I find that I did incredibly well in my third and currently in my fourth year compared to my first and second year, but that's just me and each person majoring in poli sci will find the course load heavier or lighter, easier or harder compared to previous years depending on their circumstances. I know that for me, I have been really invovled in extra curriculars, volunteering, working a job over my undergraduate career and getting research experience and I am pulling awesome grades so you can handle the course load and academic work over the years while doing other things in your life.

Maudjee22, xo.monica all say thanks to Maximiliano for this post.
Old 12-27-2009 at 09:04 PM   #7
Maudjee22
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wow! you are such a big help! thank you so much!
yea i looked at the poli.sci site and noticed the required courses such as political theory in 2nd year. but that's very good info just so that i know what i can be looking forward to.
i am sure going to be asking you a lot of questions!
thanks once again! its very greatly appreciated!



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