Reading Course Application Form
The reading course option (POST 3900Y/4900Y) is available to students who have a strong interest in investigating a topic in political studies in greater depth than is possible in existing courses. Please note that the reading course option requires that the student take the initiative to persuade a member of the faculty to supervise the course, bearing in mind that a clear rationale must be developed for going beyond or outside of existing course offerings.
Approval of Reading Courses
Applications submitted without all these steps completed will not be accepted by the Office of the Dean of Arts & Science.
- Student: Once an instructor agrees to work with you, you will design an independent study/reading/CBR course bibliography and course outline together (to include the schedule of meetings, start and end dates of the course, and evaluation scheme). Attach these to the application form and keep copies for yourselves. In the case of CBR courses, if a firm syllabus is not available at the outset (due to negotiation with community host partner and faculty), a promotional copy of the CBR project proposal is sufficient to accompany the application form.
- Instructor: Work with the student, as above, then sign the application form. Include the name of a second reader, if applicable (usually only science courses). In the case of CBR courses, it is the instructor’s responsibility to submit a completed CBR project agreement to complete the Office of the Dean of Arts & Science file (i.e. the grading scheme/course outline). It is also the instructor’s responsibility to ensure that student grades are allocated according to the timeline outlined in the University’s Grading Criteria as outlined in the “Academic Information & Regulations” section of the Academic calendar.
- Student: Take the signed application form, bibliography & course outline (or promotional copy of the CBR project proposal) to the Department Chair for academic approval and signature.
- CBR staff: In the case of CBR courses, send a confirmation email to Barbara Hamilton in the Office of the Dean of Arts & Science confirming the student’s participation.
- Student: Return all of the following to the Office of the Dean of Arts & Science in Lady Eaton College:
- Reading/CBR course application form signed by both instructor & department chair
- Bibliography & course outline (or promotional copy of the CBR project proposal)
- The Office of the Dean of Arts & Science will assess the student’s application (approval will be given if the course is required for graduation or is essential to the student’s academic program). The Dean will sign the final approval. The approved application will be submitted to the Registrar’s Office, where the course will be manually added to your record.
- Final Grades: when the course is completed, final grades are submitted for approval to the department/program Chair on the office grade sheets issued by the Registrar’s Office, as with regular courses.
The Department will respond in a timely manner to formal proposals.
Students gain approval for the reading course option during the spring term at the time of early registration. Students wishing to register for a reading course (as well as an honours thesis or internship course) should pick up an application from the departmental office to be completed and returned for approval. In all cases, registration for these courses requires prior arrangement with the instructor(s). These arrangements should be completed before Spring registration.