Independent Study

Independent Study Guidelines

PLS and IR 399 and 499

PLS 399 Readings in Political Science
PLS 499 Independent Research
IR 399 Independent Readings
IR 499 Independent Research

1. General guidelines.

Taking an independent study (PLS 399, PLS 499, IR 399 or IR 499) class is a privilege to be granted at the discretion of the faculty. Independent studies are reserved for advanced work with a professor after a student has taken previous coursework in the relevant area of study, to be determined at the discretion of the sponsoring professor. It is possible that professors may offer readings courses open to major/minor students in general, or major/minor students of a certain class standing. Independent studies are not to be taken in duplication of an existing course or based on convenience for a student's schedule.

All independent studies are taken CR/NC (credit or no credit).

PLS major and minor:
Independent studies do not count for the 300-level requirement of the major and minor. Independent studies do not count for the requirement that students take two courses in American politics, one in international relations, one in comparative politics and one in political theory. A total of no more than nine credits of internship and independent study may count toward the major, with no more than six credits in either category. No more than six credits of internship or independent study may count toward the minor.

IR major and minor:
Independent studies do not count for the requirement that students must take one 300-level course in each of these three categories:
A. Economics and Business
B. History and Geography
C. Political Science

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Ashley DeBoer VandeBunte

2008 Graduate Director of Meetings for the American Political Science Association

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Meghan Neuhaus

Meghan (Thatcher) Neuhaus, International Education Specialist

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2006 Graduate Technical Expert at the Social Security Administration in Chicago

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2. Faculty and student have a discussion to identify topic, reading assignments, and type of work to be produced. The normal equivalency would be six books and 25 pages of written work for 3 credits (or 2 books and eight pages of written work per credit), to be determined at instructor's discretion. Reading material includes books, journal articles and other published scholarly materials, with the assortment of assignments to be determined at the discretion of the instructor. Research such as data collection and analysis may be performed in place of some requirements, determined at instructor's discretion.

Student writes independent study plan and emails it to sponsoring faculty for review. Plan includes:

Readings
Assignments
Course program and number (e.g. PLS 399) with number of credits
Student name and G#
Student email address
Semester work is to take place

3. Upon approval of independent study plan, faculty sends email to PLS chair or IR director, CC to department coordinator, attaching plan and noting permission to register. Department coordinator logs plan.

4. PLS Chair or IR director grants override in Banner and notifies student via email of permission to register.

5. Upon completion of plan or before semester grades are due, whichever is sooner, sponsoring faculty emails PLS chair or IR director with grade for course (CR, NC or I). I (incomplete) would be reserved for extraordinary circumstances, not just because the student didn't complete the work in a timely manner. PLS chair or IR director is responsible for entering grade.

Events

Us-Afghanistan/Taliban Relations And The Human Rights of Afghan Women: Presented By Ahmad Farid Hassanzadah

March 23, 2023 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Farid Hassanzadah has worked extensively with the United Nations, the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) and international non-government organizations to promote human rights...

Pho2Night

March 31, 2023 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

The Vietnamese Cultural Association presents our annual Phß Night! This year our event will be on Friday, March 31st, 2023, from 6PM-10PM at the Fredrick Meijer Honors Colledge in the Neimeyer...

K-Pop Unleashed 2023

April 2, 2023 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

K-Pop Unleashed is K-Pop Group Evolution's annual dance and cultural showcase. This event features performances and discussions from both Grand Valley clubs and other organizations in the Grand...

Virtual Info Session: Graduate Fellowships for Foreign Service: Payne, Rangel, Pickering

April 5, 2023 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

The USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program seeks to attract outstanding individuals who are interested in pursuing careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Agency...

Native Truths: Re-Centering Who Tells the Story (SSD Keynote Panel) INT 100/201 APPROVED!

April 11, 2023 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

This year, the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship is collaborating with the Field Museum to host a panel of museum staff, scholars, and community members. Moderated by Levi Rickert,...

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News

Reuben Wins Scholarship to Attend the World Affairs Council National Conference

Reuben Wins Scholarship to Attend the World Affairs Council National Conference

Tristan Reuben wins scholarship to attend the National Conference of the World Affairs Conference in Washington, DC.

Oct 13, 2022

GVSU Students Attend the National Security Seminar in Washington, DC

GVSU Students Attend the National Security Seminar in Washington, DC

11 GVSU students spent one week in Washington studying US national security issues.

Sep 12, 2022

New Faculty Member: Professor Camarillo

New Faculty Member: Professor Camarillo

Professor C. Tyler Godines Camarillo joins the Political Science Department as a new assistant professor this semester. Professor Camarillo attended the University of Texas at San Antonio for his undergraduate degree in Political Science.

Aug 26, 2022

Craig Wins GV in DC Scholarship

Craig Wins GV in DC Scholarship

The Political Science Department is pleased to announce that Samantha Craig is our GV in DC Scholarship winner for 2022.

Jun 21, 2022

Recent Grad Interns with Czech Consulate

Recent Grad Interns with Czech Consulate

Stepan Loffelmann is busy with his summer internship at the Consulate of the Czech Republic in Chicago.

May 24, 2022

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Page last modified June 21, 2018