Add / Drop - Social Science Academic Advising

This page explains when and how you can add or drop courses in the Faculty of Social Science, including important deadlines and what happens if you drop a course after those dates. It also shows where to make changes in Student Center and offers guidance to help you decide whether dropping a course is the right choice.

• Department-Specific Special Permission Information
  Answers to your Political Science specific special permissions questions can be found here.
• Academic Advising Special Permission Information
  If you are unable to add a course through your Student Center, it may be because you need special permission from our office. Special permission is often required to enroll in a course overload, to take a course at one of the Affiliated University Colleges, or to waive a course prerequisite.
• Letter of Permission Information
  A Letter of Permission (LOP) is required to take courses at another university as a visiting student and transfer the credit(s) toward your degree at Western. Your LOP must be approved by an academic advisor before you register at the other university. If you take a course elsewhere without a LOP, you may need to re-apply to Western before continuing with your degree.

• Second Degree Students
  Already have a degree and thinking about earning another in Social Science? This page explains your options and walks you through next steps, including connecting with an academic counsellor to plan your second degree and review course equivalencies.

• Grade Information, Intent to Register (ITR), & Grade Progression
  Visit the office of the registrar for grades and program progression. Intent to Register (ITR) is for current Fall/Winter students to request registration in an academic program and/or module for the subsequent Fall/Winter term. 
• Grade Appeals Procedure
  Answers to your Political Science specific grade appeals questions can be found here.

• Absence & Academic Consideration
  This page explains how to request academic consideration if you need to miss a class, exam, assignment deadline, or other academic requirement because of extenuating circumstances via the Student Absence Portal.

• Exam Accommodations, Common Situations & Study Tips
  Helping undergraduate students to understand exam policies and manage scheduling responsibly.
• Active Exam Schedule
  The Office of the Registrar provides the most up-to-date final examination information. A personalized exam schedule for current undergraduate students is available through your Student Center under Academics > Examinations. 

• Graduation
  Congratulations! You made it! Once you are in your last term of study, nearing the completion of all your degree, program and module requirements, you will apply to graduate. This can be done on Student Center by following Menu > Self Service > Graduation > Apply for Graduation. Visit this page for more details.
  
  Graduation photos are not arranged through the department. Graduate photos on campus are typically taken by Lifetouch, so you’ll need to contact them directly to book a session. You’re also welcome to use another photographer of your choice if you prefer.

The Political Science Association (PSA) at Western University is a student-run club dedicated to connecting political science students to academic and social opportunities. The association gives students with an interest in law and/or politics an outlet to create relationships and foster a liaison with faculty members. Members of the PSA are exposed to post-graduate possibilities, professional development opportunities, fun socials, and leadership experience.

The PSA Handbook on "How to Utilize a Political Science Degree" provides an overview of your options after graduation, including advice from professors and alumni.

The PSA Academic Guidebook inlcudes tips from the 2021-22 executive team, on learning how to excel in undergrad, and obtain information on graduate schools and their application processes. 

Find the PSA on Facebook and Instagram @psawestern or by emailing politicalscience.club@westernusc.ca.

The Social Contract is Western's Undergraduate Political Science journal, established in March 2006. It is published annually and contains the best papers by undergraduate political scientists on a wide range of thought-provoking issues.

We hope that you enjoy reading previous issues of the journal. We encourage all undergraduate students to contribute each year. If you would like to volunteer or contribute, or have any inquiries, including partnerships, sponsorships, and any other questions, please feel free to email us at westernsocialcontract@gmail.com.

Previous Issues: 2024-2025, 2023-2024, 2022-2023, 2021-2022, 2020-2021, 2016-2017, 2015-2016, 2014-2015, 2013-2014, 2012-2013, 2011-2012, 2010-2011, 2009-2010, 2007-2008, 2006-2007, 2005-2006.

Under the Canadian Political Science Association (CPSA), the Canadian Political Science Students’ Association (CPSSA) is an organization run solely by undergraduate students studying Political Science. Every year, the CPSSA holds a conference that allows students from across Canada to come together and share their knowledge and perspectives on themes within the discipline of Political Science.

The Association of International Relations (AIR) at Western University is the official student club representing the international relations program on campus. AIR aims to create an environment where international diplomacy and world issues can be openly discussed and analyzed by Western students interested in the areas of politics.

AIR can be found on Facebook @AIRWesternU https://www.facebook.com/pg/AIRWesternU/ or by email air.club@westernusc.ca.

Hosted in partnership with Carleton’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA), Carleton Model NATO is a four-day simulation that takes place annually in the heart of Canada’s capital, Ottawa.

This experiential conference brings together university students from across North America to partake in the fulfilling – and often challenging – process of working together as representatives of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Alliance and its Partners to deal with pressing issues that affect transatlantic and international security.

The Social Science Students’ Council (SSSC) is the official student government for Social Science students at Western University, representing their interests and voices.

It focuses on advocacy, academic support, community-building, and social events while offering resources and leadership opportunities to enhance the student experience.

The SSSC Political Science Department Representative is Rojina Farnaghi.

The University Students’ Council (USC) is a student-led organization that first and foremost exists to advocate for and represent undergraduate students at Western University.

Since 1965, they have grown beyond an advocacy organization, becoming one of the largest student governments in Canada and one of the largest not-for-profits in London, Ontario Canada. Each day, they work to support, improve and enhance your student experience, because they believe that students have the power to change the world.

With support from Western's Provost, Faculty of Social Science, Social Science Students' Council (SSSC) and the Social Science student donation fund, the Reading Room opened on January 17, 2017. 

The room is available for Western undergraduate Social Science students.

This space can be found on the lower level of the Social Science Centre (SSC), Room 1051.

The Social Science Co-op Team works closely with a network of employers to provide practical, hands-on experiences for students across the Faculty of Social Science as early as Summer of their second year.

Registered students can work between 4-months and 16-months and earn up to 1.0 credit toward their degree.