Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Dr. Jenn Stephenson,

My name is Julia Harmon, and I am in my third year of an undergraduate degree at Queen’s, majoring in Political Studies. I am writing you today petitioning to study at another post-secondary institution for the upcoming winter term, and have these courses contribute to my degree.

Specifically, I wish to study at University College Cork in Ireland. This is a decision I made after not being offered a placement through the bilateral exchange program offered by the International Programs Office. Though this news was disappointing, I am motivated to make good on my objective to study in Europe. I believe I will benefit from exposure to diverse perspectives and worldviews in the academic realm, especially given my interest in international relations and politics. Furthermore, I am eager to make personal connections in a new and exciting environment and experience the cultural enrichment of spending time abroad.

I have conducted thorough research on the requirements of UCC, and the courses they offer to international students in the political field. I have also considered how these offerings could be translated to my degree requirements here at Queen’s. The courses I wish to take are the following:

PO3005 - Issues in Irish Politics
This course covers material and subject matter which I feel is unique and have not come across during my time at Queen’s. I have always been considerably interested in historical issues such as The Troubles, and am eager to broaden my knowledge on more contemporary issues as well. I feel that taking this course in the country in which these issues took place would be rewarding and provide me with a unique firsthand perspective that I wouldn’t likely see here in Canada.

GV3210 - Politics in Northern Ireland
This is another course specific to the region which I would be excited to take. I am interested in the division between Unionism and Irish Nationalism and have not yet had the opportunity to explore this during my studies thus far. Northern Ireland has a long history of being a unique political landscape, and like the previously listed course, I feel that learning about issues and systems in the country where they take place would be a great privilege.

GV3220 - Chinese Politics

I am excited about the prospect of taking this course because I feel that politics in China is a complex and interesting subject. I had previously looked at POLS 341: Chinese Politics here at Queens but was disappointed to learn it is not being offered this year.

GV4415 – Contemporary Debates in the EU

This course interests me because I would like to compare contemporary political issues in the European Union to those here in Canada and the United States which I am more knowledgeable on. I am also taking POLS 332 this semester which covers Central/Eastern European politics and would love to expand upon the insight I expect to gain from this course during a semester abroad.

I will have satisfied my core course requirements by the end of the fall semester and am hoping to have these 4 courses count towards the option course requirements of my Plan. This is something I have discussed with the Undergraduate Chair of Political Studies Dr. Kyle Hanniman. I have attached his written permission and am highly confident I can meet my program requirements while studying abroad.

I greatly appreciate your consideration in granting me permission to spend a semester abroad and hope I’ve illustrated how it would be beneficial to both my personal development.

Best,

Julia Harmon
Student No. 20262417