Manage Appeals
Petition Type: New
ID: 12268
Submitted: September 13, 2024 at 3:58:37 PM
First Name: Allyson
Last Name: Baldanza
Pronoun: She/her
Student Number: 20335197
Email: 21ajb31@queensu.ca
Degree Program: BAH
Plan: DEVS
Level of Study: 3
Petition Categories
Petition Categories: Request to take more than 6.0 units of courses on a letter of permission through another institution
Petition Letter
Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean Stephenson,
RE: Request for Letter of Permission
My name is Allyson Baldanza (20335197). I am a third-year student enrolled in the BAH program majoring in Global Development. I am interested in attending at Florence University of the Arts (FUA) for the 2025 winter semester starting in January. The school requires that I take at least 4 courses to enroll. I have reviewed the courses (Human Rights and International Criminal Justice, International Relations, Elementary Italian and Ethics in a World Context) with Dr. Kumar and Dr. Palomares-Salas who have approved the courses as being applicable to my major. I have been advised by the International Programs Office that I require your permission to enroll in the aforementioned courses.
By way of background, I did apply for the Queen’s exchange program for the same time period. However, at the time of my application my GPA was 2.6 and fell short of the required 2.7. I requested an exemption as I had struggled in my first year but my grades at the time of application in my second year were significantly higher. In fact, in my second year I obtained a GPA of 3.6.
The program and courses at FUA would be an excellent opportunity for me to enhance my studies in Global Development. Apart from Italian, the courses that I hope to enroll in are not offered at Queen’s.
In addition, my attendance at FUA would allow me to meet and interact with international students and learn about the Italian culture. I believe my attendance at FUA would enhance my opportunity for employment in my field of studies in the future.
I would greatly appreciate your permission to attend FUA, which would be an incredible experience for me. Should you require any additional information, I would be pleased to provide it. Also, I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you, should you wish to discuss the program.
Thank you very much for your consideration.
Yours very truly,
Allyson Baldanza
RE: Request for Letter of Permission
My name is Allyson Baldanza (20335197). I am a third-year student enrolled in the BAH program majoring in Global Development. I am interested in attending at Florence University of the Arts (FUA) for the 2025 winter semester starting in January. The school requires that I take at least 4 courses to enroll. I have reviewed the courses (Human Rights and International Criminal Justice, International Relations, Elementary Italian and Ethics in a World Context) with Dr. Kumar and Dr. Palomares-Salas who have approved the courses as being applicable to my major. I have been advised by the International Programs Office that I require your permission to enroll in the aforementioned courses.
By way of background, I did apply for the Queen’s exchange program for the same time period. However, at the time of my application my GPA was 2.6 and fell short of the required 2.7. I requested an exemption as I had struggled in my first year but my grades at the time of application in my second year were significantly higher. In fact, in my second year I obtained a GPA of 3.6.
The program and courses at FUA would be an excellent opportunity for me to enhance my studies in Global Development. Apart from Italian, the courses that I hope to enroll in are not offered at Queen’s.
In addition, my attendance at FUA would allow me to meet and interact with international students and learn about the Italian culture. I believe my attendance at FUA would enhance my opportunity for employment in my field of studies in the future.
I would greatly appreciate your permission to attend FUA, which would be an incredible experience for me. Should you require any additional information, I would be pleased to provide it. Also, I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you, should you wish to discuss the program.
Thank you very much for your consideration.
Yours very truly,
Allyson Baldanza
Academic Plan
Academic Plan: Part 1: The focus of my studies
DEVS major plan consists of 66 units, 33 units of core courses, 9 units of DEVS eligible courses, 9 units of DEVS 200L courses, 9 units of DEVS 300L courses and 6 units of a language.
To fulfill these requirements, I plan to complete 6 units of DEVS eligible courses and 3 units of a language course abroad. This will leave me with 3 units of DEVS eligible and 3 units of a language left to complete in my fourth year. I have taken a summer course in 2024 to allow for the 4 courses I plan to take abroad. I am now taking 5 courses in Fall 2024 and will then take 5 courses each semester of my fourth year to achieve the rest of my major requirements. Additionally, I plan to take another elective in the summer of 2025.
List of courses and their transferable credits:
Elementary Italian- 3 units
Days: Tuesday 15:30 - 18:55
3 semester credits. This introductory language course is intended for students with no prior knowledge of Italian. The course presents linguistic fundamentals and essential grammatical structures necessary for elementary communication. Students will learn the regular conjugations of common -are, -ere, and -ire verbs, working primarily with present tense verbs. Simple prepositions will also be introduced along with other fundamental structures.
Human Rights and International Criminal Justice- 2 units
Days: Monday 15:30 - 18:55
3 semester credits. In the 20th century the international community has progressively elaborated rules and procedures to state that certain behaviors are crimes and to ensure violations are punished acts. The course will provide an introduction to the birth, evolution, and contemporary challenges of human rights, humanitarian law, and the international systems to maintain peace or restore justice. It aims at offering an overview of the history of human rights from their appearance on the international scene to contemporary debates. Students will analyze the process of definition of crimes against humanity, crimes against peace, war crimes and genocide, and the mechanisms to protect humanitarian law, from the emergency logic of Nuremberg Trials after World War II to the institutionalization of International Criminal Justice and the various categories of humanitarian interventions: peacekeeping, peace-making, and peace-enforcing.
International Relations- 2 units
Days: Thursday 12:15 - 15:10
3 semester credits. This course provides a survey of major concepts, theories, and issues in international relations. Course topics will discuss how and why things happen in the international state system. Through the analysis of theories such as realism, liberalism, Marxism, poststructuralism, feminism and postcolonialism, students will become familiar with real-life scenarios and understand the different actors involved in world politics. Key subjects include the effects of the Cold War, decision-making process in foreign policy and world organizations, international security and arms control, international law, global civil society, and global political economy.
Course Notes
Mandatory Integrated Academic Activity on Friday April 18 02:50pm-08:10pm.
Ethics in a World Context- 2 units
Days: Thursday 8:15- 11: 1140
3 semester credits. The aim of this course is to introduce fundamental moral theories and standards and to encourage their application - through mechanisms of moral reflection and judgment - to ethical problems arising throughout the world. The course is articulated through a large number and variety of studies of moral cases drawn from various parts of the world that will require students to consider prescriptive moral theories. The study of matters such as the French legislation against veils in schools, reproductive rights in Italy, U.S. drug laws, and Iranian censorship vs. the value of liberty will inevitably result in meta-ethical reflections in terms of thinking about the nature of morality and the limits of moral judgment.
Part 2: Expectations for workload
Academic Performance Goals:
By taking 4 courses abroad instead of 5 at Queen's I expect to be able to allocate more time and focus to each subject, thereby improving my academic performance. My objective is to obtain grades that demonstrate a more knowledgeable understanding of the subject matter.
Skill Development:
A reduced course load of 4 courses will help me perform better academically while gaining important skills. I expect to improve my time management skills with fewer classes, making it easier for me to manage my academic obligations within the social and cultural opportunities that come with studying abroad. Furthermore, overcoming the difficulties of adjusting to a new academic setting will increase my resilience and equip me to successfully navigate obstacles in the future, both academic and professional.
Part 3: Strategies for success
Feedback and Assistance:
To ensure I succeed while studying abroad, I will actively seek feedback and assistance from professors, peers, and teaching assistants. Engaging with these resources will help me deepen my understanding of the course material and maintain a strong academic performance.
Academic Resources:
I plan to take full advantage of the academic resources available at FUA. This includes regularly attending office hours with professors and participating in study groups to clarify any questions and ensure I am on the right track with my assignments and exam preparation. Additionally, I intend to utilize library services offered at FUA for research methods and as quiet study areas.
Ensuring Credit Transfer and Course Selection:
Prior to submitting a request for a letter of permission, I obtained written confirmation that credits achieved at FUA will transfer and count towards my major by Queen’s International Programs Office, DEVS and LLCU undergraduate chairs and FUA admissions office. Additionally, the document for the transfer of credits was signed and paid for by me.
Confirm Course Equivalency:
- Courses approved as DEVS eligible by Dr. Kumar prior to submitting a request for a letter of permission
- Italian course approved by Dr. Palomares-Salas prior to submitting a request for a letter of permission
- I have confirmed with the International Programs Office at Queen’s that FUA is approved for me to attend.
- Course syllabus has been sent to DEVS and LLCU departments and course descriptions are in the letter of permission request.
DEVS major plan consists of 66 units, 33 units of core courses, 9 units of DEVS eligible courses, 9 units of DEVS 200L courses, 9 units of DEVS 300L courses and 6 units of a language.
To fulfill these requirements, I plan to complete 6 units of DEVS eligible courses and 3 units of a language course abroad. This will leave me with 3 units of DEVS eligible and 3 units of a language left to complete in my fourth year. I have taken a summer course in 2024 to allow for the 4 courses I plan to take abroad. I am now taking 5 courses in Fall 2024 and will then take 5 courses each semester of my fourth year to achieve the rest of my major requirements. Additionally, I plan to take another elective in the summer of 2025.
List of courses and their transferable credits:
Elementary Italian- 3 units
Days: Tuesday 15:30 - 18:55
3 semester credits. This introductory language course is intended for students with no prior knowledge of Italian. The course presents linguistic fundamentals and essential grammatical structures necessary for elementary communication. Students will learn the regular conjugations of common -are, -ere, and -ire verbs, working primarily with present tense verbs. Simple prepositions will also be introduced along with other fundamental structures.
Human Rights and International Criminal Justice- 2 units
Days: Monday 15:30 - 18:55
3 semester credits. In the 20th century the international community has progressively elaborated rules and procedures to state that certain behaviors are crimes and to ensure violations are punished acts. The course will provide an introduction to the birth, evolution, and contemporary challenges of human rights, humanitarian law, and the international systems to maintain peace or restore justice. It aims at offering an overview of the history of human rights from their appearance on the international scene to contemporary debates. Students will analyze the process of definition of crimes against humanity, crimes against peace, war crimes and genocide, and the mechanisms to protect humanitarian law, from the emergency logic of Nuremberg Trials after World War II to the institutionalization of International Criminal Justice and the various categories of humanitarian interventions: peacekeeping, peace-making, and peace-enforcing.
International Relations- 2 units
Days: Thursday 12:15 - 15:10
3 semester credits. This course provides a survey of major concepts, theories, and issues in international relations. Course topics will discuss how and why things happen in the international state system. Through the analysis of theories such as realism, liberalism, Marxism, poststructuralism, feminism and postcolonialism, students will become familiar with real-life scenarios and understand the different actors involved in world politics. Key subjects include the effects of the Cold War, decision-making process in foreign policy and world organizations, international security and arms control, international law, global civil society, and global political economy.
Course Notes
Mandatory Integrated Academic Activity on Friday April 18 02:50pm-08:10pm.
Ethics in a World Context- 2 units
Days: Thursday 8:15- 11: 1140
3 semester credits. The aim of this course is to introduce fundamental moral theories and standards and to encourage their application - through mechanisms of moral reflection and judgment - to ethical problems arising throughout the world. The course is articulated through a large number and variety of studies of moral cases drawn from various parts of the world that will require students to consider prescriptive moral theories. The study of matters such as the French legislation against veils in schools, reproductive rights in Italy, U.S. drug laws, and Iranian censorship vs. the value of liberty will inevitably result in meta-ethical reflections in terms of thinking about the nature of morality and the limits of moral judgment.
Part 2: Expectations for workload
Academic Performance Goals:
By taking 4 courses abroad instead of 5 at Queen's I expect to be able to allocate more time and focus to each subject, thereby improving my academic performance. My objective is to obtain grades that demonstrate a more knowledgeable understanding of the subject matter.
Skill Development:
A reduced course load of 4 courses will help me perform better academically while gaining important skills. I expect to improve my time management skills with fewer classes, making it easier for me to manage my academic obligations within the social and cultural opportunities that come with studying abroad. Furthermore, overcoming the difficulties of adjusting to a new academic setting will increase my resilience and equip me to successfully navigate obstacles in the future, both academic and professional.
Part 3: Strategies for success
Feedback and Assistance:
To ensure I succeed while studying abroad, I will actively seek feedback and assistance from professors, peers, and teaching assistants. Engaging with these resources will help me deepen my understanding of the course material and maintain a strong academic performance.
Academic Resources:
I plan to take full advantage of the academic resources available at FUA. This includes regularly attending office hours with professors and participating in study groups to clarify any questions and ensure I am on the right track with my assignments and exam preparation. Additionally, I intend to utilize library services offered at FUA for research methods and as quiet study areas.
Ensuring Credit Transfer and Course Selection:
Prior to submitting a request for a letter of permission, I obtained written confirmation that credits achieved at FUA will transfer and count towards my major by Queen’s International Programs Office, DEVS and LLCU undergraduate chairs and FUA admissions office. Additionally, the document for the transfer of credits was signed and paid for by me.
Confirm Course Equivalency:
- Courses approved as DEVS eligible by Dr. Kumar prior to submitting a request for a letter of permission
- Italian course approved by Dr. Palomares-Salas prior to submitting a request for a letter of permission
- I have confirmed with the International Programs Office at Queen’s that FUA is approved for me to attend.
- Course syllabus has been sent to DEVS and LLCU departments and course descriptions are in the letter of permission request.
Documentation
Professional Letter Detail: NO DOC
Decision Letters
History
Originally submitted September 13, 2024 at 3:58:37 PM.
| Field | Reference | Old Value | New Value | Note | User | Date/Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| status | N/A | Received | In Review | Kerri Andrews | 2024-09-23 11:30:10 AM | |
| status | N/A | In Review | Granted | Kerri Andrews | 2024-10-03 10:38:18 AM | |
| associate_dean | N/A | Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D. | Kerri Andrews | 2024-10-03 10:38:18 AM | ||
| decision_letter | N/A | N/A | Decision letter sent | Kerri Andrews | 2024-10-03 10:38:37 AM |