Fields of Study for M.A. and Ph.D. Programs

American Politics

Students should begin their study of American Politics by taking PS 8101 the Core Seminar in American Politics (formally “the Role of Government in American Society”). This course acquaints students with a variety of perspectives on the American political system, including those of historical and more contemporary writers.

After completing PS 8101, M.A. and Ph.D. students may select additional course‑work from among the other American Politics graduate courses offered each year. Students should select these additional courses with the twin objectives of acquiring a deep understanding of one or more aspects of American Politics and some breadth of coverage of the American Politics field as a whole. Please consult with your adviser in drawing up your course work and utilize the course descriptions in this handbook, with particular reference to courses numbered 8101 – 8140 (formerly 410 – 439 and 500 – 520 ).

Comparative Politics

M.A. and Ph.D. students who choose Comparative Politics as an area of concentration are expected to begin their work with the core seminar, PS 8201 Comparative Politics, which surveys the theoretical literature in the field. MA students typically follow the seminar with two additional courses in Comparative Politics. Courses offered in Comparative Politics may be arrayed under several areas, such as the comparative politics of advanced industrial nations, and the comparative politics of developing nations. Students are encouraged to arrange their course offerings in a manner that makes coherent intellectual sense to them and their primary advisor. Please consult with your adviser in drawing up your course work and utilize the course descriptions in this handbook, with particular reference to courses numbered 8201 – 8240 (formerly 440 – 449).

International Relations

M.A. and Ph.D students who choose International Relations as an area of concentration are expected to begin their work with the core seminar, PS 8301 International Relations, which surveys the theoretical literature in the field. M.A. students typically follow the seminar with two additional courses in International Relations. Courses offered in International Relations may be arrayed under several areas, such as the nature of the international political system, internationa1 conflict and its resolution, international political economy, and the study of international organization and global governance. Students are encouraged to arrange their course offerings in a manner that makes coherent intellectual sense to them and their primary advisor. Please consult with your adviser in drawing up your course work and utilize the course descriptions in this handbook, with particular reference to courses numbered 8301 – 8340 (formerly 460 – 469).

Political Theory

M.A. and Ph.D students who choose Political Theory as an area of concentration are expected to begin their work with the core seminar, PS 8401Political Theory, which surveys the theoretical literature in the field. M.A. students typically follow the seminar with two additional courses inPolitical Theory. Courses offered in Political Theory may be arrayed under several areas, such as the political theory of late modernity; democratic and normative political theories, (including political questions of social and economic inequality, globalization, identity politics, and social movements); and the relationship between politics and religion.  Students are encouraged to arrange their course offerings in a manner that makes coherent intellectual sense to them and their primary advisor. Please consult with your adviser in drawing up your course work and utilize the course descriptions in this handbook, with particular reference to courses numbered 8401 – 8440 (formerly 480 – 487).