A two-unit SIP typically represents an original scholarly contribution to the field of political science. In some circumstances, two units may, at the discretion of the adviser and the Department, be awarded to internship-based SIPs that do not make such a contribution. Any SIP may, of course, originate in an internship experience. For both internbased and research SIPs, the awarding of two units signifies a substantial understanding of an important topic in political science.