Before Declaring the Major

All students are required to complete and pass with a grade of “C” or better two introductory Politics courses (chosen from Politics 1-79), prior to declaring the Politics major. These courses are normally taken during the first year. A junior transfer student may satisfy the requirement for one of the two introductory courses by completing an equivalent course in a political science or equivalent department with a grade of C or better. The course from another institution may be considered for substitution only if it appears on the UCSC Transfer Credit Summary. 

To Declare the Major

STEP 1
Sign up for a Major Orientation Workshop on the bulletin board outside Merrill 23.

STEP 2
Print a Petition for Major/Minor Declaration. Bring the petition to the workshop which will be held in Merrill 134 on the top floor of the Merrill Academic building. At the orientation, the Undergraduate Program Advisor will review requirements, answer questions, assign faculty advisors, and work with you to complete your major worksheet /study plan. (Don't be more than 10 minutes late or you'll need to sign up for another workshop.)

STEP 3
After you have attended the orientation, you will meet with your assigned faculty advisor for review of your major worksheet /study plan. Your faculty advisor may suggest that you alter your study plan to achieve greater breadth or concentration (your study plan can be revised later).

STEP 4
After all the necessary signatures have been obtained, return the major worksheet and petition to the Undergraduate Advisor in Merrill 27. Your petition will be forwarded to your college.

We recommend that at the end of your junior year, you do a "graduation check"--review your major requirements with the Politics advisor. Print and complete the "Senior Check" form and drop it off in Merrill 27 in the tray on the file cabinet. The Undergraduate Advisor will email you the results of the senior checks within 3-5 business days.

Declaration of Major/Minor Deadlines for 2011-2012:

Fall 2011 Thursday, Oct. 20 (For Priority Enrollment for Winter 2012)

Winter 2012 Thursday, Feb. 9 (For Priority Enrollment for Spring 2012)

Spring 2012 Thursday, Apr. 26 (For Priority Enrollment for Fall 2012)


MAJOR ORIENTATION WORKSHOPS (Subject to Change)

Additional Major Orientations Workshops will be listed for Fall 2012 in August.

ALL STUDENTS

Monday, April 9, 10:15-11:15 AM

Tuesday, April 17, 2:15-3:15 PM

Monday, April 23, 2:15-3:15 PM

Wednesday, April 25, 10:15-11:15 AM

Thursday, April 26, 10:15-11:15 AM

Wednesday, May 9, 10:15-11:15 AM

Thursday, May 24,  2:15-3:15 PM