Department of Politics

Can I get major credit for Politics courses taken in a Study Abroad Program?

Yes. As stated in our requirements, with approval, up to six credits may be directly applied to the major elective component of your program. An additional six credits may be applied as related courses.

1. Start by visiting the College’s Study Abroad website and the University’s Education Abroad site to familiarize yourself with the wealth of resources available. All students must complete the “Education Abroad Workshop” available there. The steps to follow are clearly laid out in this workshop.
2. If you will be attending a “UVa direct credit program,” you are all set. Courses taken in UVa programs are treated just like courses taken on Grounds.
3. If your program is not UVa direct credit: Well before you actually go abroad, obtain the College’s Study Abroad Credit approval form and choose the classes you will be taking. Gather as much information (description, syllabus, etc.) about the courses as possible.
4. Bring or email the form to the Department’s Director of the Undergraduate Program.
5. Upon approval the form should be submitted to the College Dean.

If I take a cross-listed Politics course under a non-PLxx mnemonic, will this apply to my major or minor?

PLxx courses that are cross-listed count toward our majors and our minor as PLxx courses, even when you are enrolled under the cross-listed mnemonic (e.g. EVSC, MDST, LPPA). To ensure that SIS recognizes this, please email the Undergraduate Assistant, Sharon Marsh or visit Gibson room S183 with this information. Because cross-listed courses are Politics courses, they do not count toward the Related Courses requirement. 

How many courses do I need before I can declare a major in Government or Foreign Affairs?

See "Politics Major Requirements."

Where are the forms to fill out for a major?

The forms are electronically available on this page, or in hard copy from S183 Gibson Hall.

Do Advanced Placement (AP) classes count toward major or minor requirements?

No.

Do high-school dual enrollment courses count toward major or minor requirements?

No.

Do transfer courses from other institutions count toward major or minor requirements?

Yes, if you have received UVa transfer credit for course(s), then with the approval of the DUP, and in accordance with College guidelines, you may count the following toward major requirements:

• Up to six hours of PLxx transfer and/or study abroad credit toward the Government or Foreign Affairs elective component major requirements.
• Up to six hours of non-PLxx transfer and/or study abroad credit may count toward the Related Courses requirement.

See the College Forms website for transfer of credit forms from U.S. Institutions.

For study abroad programs, students should initiate the process of approvals well before the program begins. Refer to the College’s Study Abroad website for vital information.

Can I create an independent study course in Politics?

We strongly discourage independent studies by undergraduate students in the Politics Department. It is almost always better for students to find a seminar that meets their interests. We allow very rare exceptions. These are instances when a Politics Department faculty member and an undergraduate student decide together to pursue a particular topic outside the confines of an established course.

If a faculty member has suggested an independent study to you, then you should consult about preparing a syllabus for the independent study. You and the instructor will need to create a schedule of weekly meetings outside of faculty office hours and a complete list of readings and assignments you will complete during the term of the independent study. Your readings and assignments should be at least the amount you see in a typical 4000 or 5000 level seminar, meaning at least 150-200 pages of reading a week and writing assignments adding up to at least 2,500 words. Then you will submit your plans to the DUP, who will approve or disapprove your independent study.

Can I double-count a class toward the major and toward another UVA graduation requirement?

Yes. Courses that meet UVA distribution requirements (e.g. “social science”, “humanities”) can also count toward the 30 hours of PLxx credit required for the major and toward the 12 hours of related credit.

Can I count the same course toward two majors or toward both a major and a minor?

Students may declare a second major in another department or program, in which case the application for a degree must be approved by both departments or interdepartmental programs. Students receive one diploma, but the double major status is reflected on their transcript. Students who double major must submit at lease 18 credits in each major, credits applied toward one major may not be included in the core 18 hours of the major, and no more than two courses can be counted simultaneously for two majors unless one or both majors is interdisciplinary.

Students may apply up to two classes (six credits) toward both Government or Foreign Affairs and a second major.

Can I double-major or minor in Government and Foreign Affairs?

No. You must choose just one of our majors. You can of course take more than the 30 hours required.

Can I receive credit for an internship?

Yes, but not for PLxx credit toward the 30 hours required for the major. For questions on how to obtain and/or receive academic credit for internships, consult the UVA Career Center’s website on internships.

My advisor is gone for the semester/year. How do I get a new one?

If your advisor is on leave for a fully academic year, you will be assigned a new advisor. If your advisor is gone for only one semester, see any other faculty member or the DUP.

What counts as a related course for my major?

Both of our majors require 12 credits of courses in "Related" disciplines other than Politics. See the Major Requirements section, above, for details on which courses. In extraordinary circumstances, the Director of Undergraduate Programs can consider other courses for approval.

How can I change the courses that SIS counts toward the Related Courses requirement?

SIS automatically picks up Related Courses based on the mnemonic, and there is no way to tell SIS not to count one of those courses. You may petition the Director of Undergraduate Programs to approve courses that are not automatically picked up by SIS.

Can I change the courses that SIS uses to calculate my major GPA?

SIS’s algorithm for identifying major courses cannot be changed. However, your major GPA does not print on your transcript, so consistent with the honor code you may calculate your major GPA using whichever courses you have taken that meet the major requirements. (See the sections, above, for the major requirements, and consult with Ms. Marsh if you have any questions or concerns about which courses count toward which requirements.)

When can I meet with my advisor or the DUP?

Most faculty members have regular office hours. Please note that these are subject to change each semester. If you have an unmovable conflict with your advisor's or the DUP's office hours, contact them by email to schedule an alternate meeting time.