Welcome to the UST Political Science Community!
Welcome, Political Science Freshmen!
You are now a Growling Tiger, a Thomasian. You are now one of us. This portal is dedicated to provide you brief information about the University, the College, and your course, AB Political Science. Your first year in College will be your adjustment period. You have to understand that you are no longer in high school, and many of those 'high school attitudes' have got to go. We are not aiming to produce a manual on how to survive your first year in Political Science, but we are hoping whatever appears below might be useful to prepare your mind in the rigorous training you have decided to enter. As you go on in Political Science, you will know if you have made the right choice. In UST, we call it "AB" and not "BA Political Science", because AB means "Artium Baccalaureus" (latin), or "Bachelor of Arts." So it's not wrong. Okay? :)) Let's go! |
The Faculty of Arts and Letters
The Faculty of Arts and Letters is the product of the merger of the College of Liberal Arts and the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters in 1964. The former was established in the 1920s, and the latter, established in 1896. (Yep, Rizal studied philosophy here!)
In UST, if it's called a "FACULTY", it means it is the first that offered the courses and programs under it, in the Philippines. Hence, the Faculty of Arts and Letters is the first school of arts and letters in the country, much as the Faculty of Civil Law is the first law school in the Philippines, and so is the Faculty of Pharmacy, Engineering, and others. In European universities, a college is referred to as 'Faculty'. The Faculty of Arts and Letters is more commonly known as "AB" perhaps because it offers all the Bachelor of Arts degrees (and other Colleges offer BS or Bachelor of Sciences). AB is the liberal arts college of the University of Santo Tomas. |
DAPITAN: Artlets Tambayan!
The ever-famous streets surrounding the four sides of the campus are: España Blvd. (named that way because it was the Dominicans who donated the land in front of the campus which was turned into a road); Padre Noval Street (the one near the Seminary Gym where you enrolled, which is named after the Rev. Fr. Jose Noval, OP, rector of the University in 1911 during its Tricentennial); A.H. Lacson (Arsenio H. Lacson) avenue (near the UST Hospital) which was named after the former Mayor of Manila who was also a Thomasian; and of course, DAPITAN street, running along the south side of the campus, famous for its ihaw-ihaw and kainan.
Dapitan is said to be the second home of the Artlets, where everything we probably need is therein located --photocopying centers, school supplies, food havens, dormitories, milk teas, fast food chains, printing and computer shops, etc. In your next months (and years) in college, Dapitan will play a vital role in your life. So you better explore every corner of it! |
St. Raymund's Building
The Faculty of Arts and Letters and the College of Commerce and Business Administration shares the same building. It was named after St. Raymund de Peñafort, patron saint of lawyers. The first two levels of the building is occupied by AB, and the 3rd, 4th floors are occupied by Commerce.
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So, where's your classroom?
Academic SocietiesThe Faculty of Arts and Letters has a total of twelve courses, and (as of posting time), ten academic societies, namely:
All Political Science majors are automatically members of the Political Science Forum. Same rule applies to most (if not all) of the academic societies. |
Arts and Letters Student CouncilThe AB Student Council, or ABSC, is the student-government of the Faculty of Arts and Letters. It was established in 1980, and one of its founders are our fellow Political Science major and professor Atty. Reynaldo 'bong' G. Lopez, LL.B., who will probably be your professor in PGC during the first semester.
Academic Officials
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Political Science & the UST Political Science Forum
The Political Science Forum is the association of all Thomasian political science majors, based in the Faculty of Arts and Letters. While the University of the Philippines has four (4) Polisci organizations, Ateneo has 'The Assembly', and De La Salle University has 'DLSU Poliscy', we, UST-TPSF is the sole political science organization of the University of Santo Tomas.
It was in the year 1971 that the Baccalaureate degrees in AB was offered (excluding English Language Studies and AB History which are relatively new). In 1972, President Ferdinand Marcos ordered the abolition of all student organizations, following the declaration of Martial Law. In the year 1980, the Political Science Society was founded. In 1991, they restructured it and became the POLITICAL SCIENCE FORUM. In 1992, they formed the first Constitutional Commission which drafted the fundamental laws we have today. Amendments were introduced in 2007. Our Political Science alumni have become professionals and experts in the fields of law, politics, research and higher education. DO YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE? ■ The Political Science Curriculum ■ Our Culture ■ Who will be your professors? ■ Governing Bodies ■ TPSF History ■ Current Officers Organizational ColorsThe official colors of the Political Science Forum are CRIMSON and BLACK, symbolizing strength, courage, and activism.
What do we do in TPSF?As a student organization in the field of politics from the University of Santo Tomas, the Political Science Forum confers to itself the task of bringing our social and political issues within the Thomasian community, and to promote the excellence of its students outside the University.
The Political Science Forum envisions itself as an arena of responsive and empowered students capable of generating intellectual outputs. It also serves as a medium for social and political concerns and at the forefront of creating consciousness within the Thomasian community. It is also committed in strengthening its relations with other Universities, and institutions, in formulating and creating community services. Co-Curricular ActivitiesAs an academic organization, we organize seminars, forum and symposia which tackles issues and topics very much relevant to our studies as Political Science students. We also spearhead campaigns and advocacies on political awareness and political education within and outside UST.
You will also be sent to the Malacanang Palace, Senate, House of Representatives, and Supreme Court for an exposure trip. We are also into academic research and we publish a newsletter (of which you could be part of!) at least once every semester, and an Academic Journal, annually. We also participate in various off-campus activities, and are affiliated with organizations such as the APSOP (Association of Political Science Organizations of the Philippines). Our professors are also members of the prestigious PPSA (Philippine Political Science Association). Extra-Curricular ActivitiesTPSF also organizes and participates in outreach and community development programs, sports, and other activities that aims to contribute to the holistic development of every Political Science student.
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Meaning of our official Seal
The TPSF seal was designed by Atty. Michelle Pahati in the Academic Year 1992-1993. The original emblem only includes the Greek-like symbols at the center of the current logo being used. These symbols represent the acronym of the organization: 'P', 'S', and 'F.' The original figure resembles a dove which seems ready to fly, which symbolized the advancement of academic freedom. Later on, the circular text surrounding the symbols were added for purposes of better identification. |
Governing Bodies & OfficersClick Photo to Enlarge
The Constitution of the Political Science Forum provides for a democratic government for the organization. First, we have the POLICY BOARD, which is the legislative body, composed of two (2) representatives from each year level. Your batch, the Freshmen, will be electing your representatives most probably in July. The Policy Board is headed by its Chairman, elected from among the representatives. It creates general policies for Political Science students, and it reviews and approves the projects of TPSF. Each batch elects only two (2) representatives.
On the other hand, the EXECUTIVE branch of the Forum is headed by the President, who is assisted by the Vice President. Both are elected at large by the students. Executive power is vested upon the President of the Political Science Forum. |
Political Science CommitteesTPSF, currently, has twelve (12) standing Committees under the supervision and direction of the President.
For more information about these committees, click here. |
Campus Tour and Freshman WalkYour kuyas and ates in Political Science will tour you around the campus in June. Just wait for announcements. :)
The Freshmen walk will be held in late June. This is an initiation rite where you will pass through the historic, four-hundred-year-old Arch of the Centuries, that stone structure in front of the España gate. Urban legend says you must only pass through the Arch twice: on Freshmen Walk, and on your Senior year, before graduation when you will be sent-off. They say if you exit through the Arch during your stay in the University, you will not be able to finish. True, or not? Well, we don't know... >:D< Rizal, Quezon, and other figures in Philippine History passed through this historic Arch, which used to be the portal of the old University campus in Intramuros, built in 1611. |
Interest Guilds and GroupsThe Political Science Interest Guilds are avenues for political science students to develop their talents and skills in various fields.
TPSF CRITICAL The official Political Science dance troupe. They are the champion of Cypher-2011, the college-wide competition for dance troupes of the Academic societies. This year, they were the first runner-up. TPSF HIMIG The official political science Chorale, which performs inside and outside the university; TPSF DEBATE TEAM The official political science debate guild, which trains and sends representatives in debate competitions inside and outside the university; POLITICAL THINKERS The official quiz-bee team of the Political Science Forum; STUDENT-AMBASSADORS A group of students trained to represent UST Political Science in off-campus gatherings with our institutional and organizational partners; Organized by the Committee on External Relations THE POLIS EDITORIAL TEAM 'The Polis' is the official newsletter of the Political Science Forum. You could be part of this if you've got experience writing for your school paper! :D |
The Culture of Political Science Majors: We are Athenians in Mind
and Spartans in training
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Welcome to Sparta, Freshman!
Awoo! Awoo! Awoooo!!!!!
Awoo! Awoo! Awoooo!!!!!
Information DisseminationAll announcements and advisories are always coursed through the academic societies. It is the function of the Committee on Public Relations of TPSF to send you significant information, announcements and advisories on time.
Contact Us!Got more questions? Want to contact your seniors? Here you go! :D
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Want to receive announcements on your phone?Please fill-up the form below, so you may be able to receive updates and announcements (i.e. class suspension), via SMS, from the Political Science Committee on Public Relations.
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