Foundation Scholarship Examination Papers set by the Political Science Department

There will be two separate examination papers set by the Political Science department for Foundation Scholarship in the 2011-12 academic year.

Both examination papers are two and one-quarter hours long.

Politics I

This paper will have EIGHT questions from which students will be required to choose TWO. The questions will be of a general nature relating to material covered in P01600, PO2610, PO2640, PO2650.

There will be two questions relating to each of the three Senior Freshman modules plus two questions relating more generally to the discipline of Politics as a whole. In answering these general questions students will be expected to draw on material covered in PO1600 when relevant.

Politics II

This paper will have TWELVE questions, four relating to the material from each of the three Senior Freshman modules covered in the first semester, with students being required to answer ANY THREE from the paper as a whole. Students are encouraged to engage in whatever extra reading their course lecturers may have suggested.

Examination papers set by the Political Science department in the last academic year using a similar format are available through the exams office website.

Frequently asked questions:

Q. Should I take the Foundation Scholarship examinations?
A. This is a personal decision, but the Department of Political Science would strongly encourage students who received high marks in their Junior Freshman modules (for example, with module grades of a First or high '2:1') to sit the Foundation Scholarship examinations.

Q. Which Schol examination papers should I be taking? Both? One? Which one?
A. The papers available or required for the Foundation Scholarship examination vary by degree programme, and so you should consult your degree programme - BESS, European Studies etc - to see what the requirements and options are for Schol in your particular case. Applications to take the Schol examinations must be submitted to the Examinations Office. 

Q. I am eligible to take one or the other of the two Political Science Schol examination papers. Which one should I take?
A. Read the descriptions above, look at last years Schol examination papers and make your choice. It is possible to excel in either (or both) examinations.

Q. Which date will these examination papers be held?
A. All scheduling of Schol examination papers is done by the Exams Office. The information should be available in around the end of the calendar year on this website: http://www.tcd.ie/vpcao/administration/examinations/foundation-schol-timetables.php

Q. I am taking (e.g.) the Politics 2 examination but am only taking one of the Senior Freshman political science modules. Will I have a restricted set of choices for essays for this examination paper compared to students taking more than one Senior Freshman politics module?
A. It is obviously the case that students taking more than one SF Political Science module will be potentially able to answer a wider range of essays in the Politics 2 (or Politics 1) examination paper, but it is entirely possible to be successful at the Politics 2 examination paper while taking only one of the three Political Science department Senior Freshman modules.

Q. I have a question about preparing for Schol in relation to a particular SF module in Political Science (e.g. History of Political Thought, International Relations etc)
A. Your course lecturer, and your course handout, will provide the material you need to prepare for Schol in relation to the various Senior Freshman modules offered by the Political Science department.

Q. Will there be a meeting with students to explain the Foundation Scholarship exam papers set by the Political Science department?
A. Yes, there will be a meeting, to be held after reading week, and students will be informed by email. However, all the information you need to prepare is available here, together with last years examinations as examples, and the course syllabuses for the various Senior Freshman Political Science modules.

UPDATE: There will be a meeting for students intending to take Politics papers for the Foundation Scholarship examination on Monday 14th November 2011 at 6pm in room 2043 - Davis Theatre, Arts Building

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