Welcome to your first year in Memorial Political Science!

You are just starting out on a path to learn more about the study of politics in Canada and around the world. Here is how to set yourself up for degree success:
  
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Enrol in POSC 1000 (Introduction to Politics and Government), in either your first or second semester. 

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Take POSC 1001 (Critical Reading and Writing: Politics and Governance), which is a great way to gain the skills and confidence to do university level political science work. As a bonus, it also fulfils a general CRW requirement for your BA degree. 

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Review your general degree map to get tips on tackling general BA requirements, studying, wellbeing, career advice, and more.

A checkmark Check to make sure you're taking at least 10 courses (30 credit hours) over your first and second semesters, including POSC 1000 and 1001. (Doing this will set you to be eligible for numerous faculty and university awards and bursaries in your second year!) 
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Get to know your P.A.L.S.—the Politics and Law Society—which represents Political Science and Law and Public Policy undergraduate students in the department. P.A.L.S hosts events throughout the year where you can meet other political-science-curious students, and engage with politics outside the classroom, at Memorial University and beyond.

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Make it official by declaring your Major and Minor fields in March! You can also submit your declaration yourself, at anytime, by submitting a declaration form to the Office of the Registrar. 

Declaring a Major or Minor in Political Science early has a number of benefits, including:

  • priority registration for high-demand Political Science courses
  • specialized academic advising 
  • access to public policy internship and research opportunities
  • a chance to win department awards
  • opportunities to publish in Mapping Politics, our student journal
  • membership in P.A.L.S.

*This timeline assumes that you are taking a full course load, which is 5 courses (15 credit hours) per semester.