McGill.CA / ISID / Undergraduate

Courses in International Development Studies

INTD 362

Political Ecologies of Development

Winter 2027

INTD 364

Climate Change, Culture and Power

Fall 2026

INTD 397

Topics in International Development

Summer 2026

Winter 2026

Fall 2025

Fall 2024

Winter 2024

Fall 2023

Winter 2023

Fall 2022

INTD 490

Development Research Project

  • Restriction: Open only to U2 Major Concentration in IDS and Minor Concentration in IDS students.
  • This is a project course and not a lecture course.
  • Application to this course is required.
  • Read the Application for INTD 490 in FULL before reaching out for questions.

File INTD 490 Development Research Project Application Form

Please return the completed form to:

ids [at] mcgill.ca

Approaching a Professor to Supervise a Research Project

If you are interested in completing a research project course (INTD 490, 491, 499), it is important to approach a potential faculty supervisor professionally and well in advance of the application deadline.

Before contacting a professor:

  • Be prepared. Familiarize yourself with the project course requirements and be ready to discuss your academic interests and goals.
  • Do some research. Learn about the professor's research areas, recent publications, and current projects to ensure your interests align.
  • Have a topic in mind. Come with a general research idea or area of interest, but remain open to the professor's suggestions and expertise.
  • Ask early. Do not wait until the last minute to contact a professor. Faculty members may need time to consider your request and develop a project plan with you.

Important Information About Project Courses

All project course options share the same structure and expectations:

  • There are no scheduled class hours.
  • Students work independently on their research project and final paper throughout the term.
  • Students are expected to maintain regular contact with their faculty supervisor and provide updates on their progress.
  • A project plan, including expectations, milestones, and meeting schedule, must be completed and approved by both the student and supervising professor as part of the application process.

Successful project experiences depend on clear communication, careful planning, and consistent engagement with your supervisor throughout the term.

INTD 491

Honours Research Project

  • Restriction: Open only to U3 IDS Honours and Joint Honours students.
  • This is a project course and not a lecture course.
  • Application to this course is required. 
  • Read the Application for INTD 491 in FULL before reaching out for questions.
  • NOTE: COMPLETING AN HONOURS THESIS IS NOT A REQUIREMENT OF THE IDS HONOURS OR JOINT HONOURS PROGRAMS, it is an optional course, and can be counted as a 400 level class in the thematic list of your program.

File INTD 491 Honours Thesis Application Form

Please return the completed form to:

ids [at] mcgill.ca

Approaching a Professor to Supervise Your Honours Thesis (INTD 491)

Securing a thesis supervisor is one of the most important steps in the Honours Thesis process. Students are encouraged to approach potential supervisors professionally and well in advance of application deadlines.

Before contacting a professor:

  • Be prepared. Review the Honours Thesis requirements and be ready to discuss your academic background, research interests, and future goals.
  • Research the professor. Familiarize yourself with their areas of expertise, current research projects, and recent publications. Demonstrating knowledge of their work shows initiative and genuine interest.
  • Identify a research area. Have a general thesis topic or research question in mind, while remaining open to guidance and suggestions from the professor.
  • Reach out early. Do not wait until the last minute. Developing a thesis project requires careful planning, and faculty members may have limited capacity to supervise students.

Important Information About the Honours Thesis

The Honours Thesis is an independent research experience that allows students to explore a topic in depth under the guidance of a faculty supervisor.

  • There are no scheduled class hours.
  • Students are responsible for conducting independent research and completing a substantial thesis throughout the academic term.
  • Regular meetings with the thesis supervisor are expected to discuss progress, receive feedback, and ensure project milestones are being met.
  • Students and supervisors must develop and approve a thesis plan, including objectives, timelines, and expectations, as part of the application and approval process.

A successful Honours Thesis requires strong initiative, effective time management, regular communication with your supervisor, and a commitment to sustained scholarly research throughout the term.

INTD 497

Advanced Topics in International Development

Winter 2026

Fall 2025

Winter 2025

Fall 2024

Winter 2024

Fall 2023

Winter 2023

Fall 2022

INTD 498

Honours Seminar in International Development

Winter 2026

Fall 2025

Winter 2025

Fall 2024

Winter 2024

Fall 2023

Winter 2023

Fall 2022

Fall 2021

INTD 499 – International Development Internship 

What is this course and am I eligible? Students MUST have followed the guidance outlined here

  • INTD 499 is a project/internship course, not a regular lecture class.

  • You must first get an approved internship through the Arts Internship Office (AIO). If you found the internship independently you still need to get AIO to approve it.

  • You must have a CGPA of 3.30 at the time of application.

Application Requirements

You MUST complete 2 applications FOUND BELOW - download documents:

  1. ISID application

    • Submit to the ISID Office

    • Email: ids [at] mcgill.ca

  2. Arts Internship Office (AIO) application

    • Submit the online application form

Important deadline

  • The application form is due at least one week before you leave for your internship

  • This gives the Student Advisor and ISID Director time to:

    • review your application

    • approve registration

    • issue your Minerva permit

Supervisor Approval

  • Your application form must be signed by your supervisor

  • Electronic signatures are accepted

  • You can also forward the supervisor’s approval email along with your application form to:

    • ids [at] mcgill.ca

Important steps

  • Read the application forms - ALL information is clarifeed on the form.

Midterm Report Requirement (DO NOT FORGET)

Students in INTD 490, 491, and 499 must submit a:

Deadline:

  • By Week 7 of the semester

    • Fall term: around October 15

    • Winter term: around February 15

Send completed forms to:

  • ids [at] mcgill.ca

Working with a Professor

  • Contact them early (not last minute)

  • Research their interests beforehand

  • Have a project/topic idea ready

  • Be open to suggestions

What the course is actually like

  • No regular lectures or class hours

  • You work independently during the term

  • Your responsibilities:

    • complete your project/research

    • stay in contact with your supervisor

    • follow the approved course plan

✅ Get an approved internship
✅ Submit BOTH applications
✅ Submit everything at least 1 week before departure
✅ Get supervisor approval/signature
✅ Submit the midterm report by Week 7
✅ Stay in contact with your supervisor throughout the term

 

  1. File intd_499_internship_approval_isid_updated.docx

  2. AIO Application Form

 

Students and Professors working on INTD 490, 491, 492, 499 Projects MUST fill in the Mid-Term Review Tracking Report. It is the Student and Instructors responsibility to submit the Mid-Term Tracking report by week 7 of the term. Ex. Fall term - October 15. Winter term - February 15.

PDF icon Midterm tracking report

Please return the completed forms to:

ids [at] mcgill.ca

How to approach a Professor and request they work with you on one of the following projects: be prepared, do a little research on the Prof, have a topic in mind but be open to suggestions, and request in a timely manner. (ex. do not wait until the last minute to approach a Prof). NOTE: Each of these  Project classes have the same criteria:  there are no class hours required, the student works independently on their research paper throughout their term. The student is responsible for checking in with their supervisor throughout the term, as per the approved course plan filled in and reviewed by student and Professor on the application forms.  

Re-Read Policy for INTD 490, 491, 492, 499, 497 and INTD 200 courses. 

PDF icon ISID Re-Read Policy

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