You are here

Comparative Politics General Field

Courses used to satisfy requirements in other fields may not be used to satisfy Comparative Politics requirements. Completion of at least four courses in the field of comparative politics as follows:

Requirements for the MA

  1. Pol S 505 Comparative Politics Core Course (5 credits).
  2. One course from the Comparative Politics Course List.

Requirements for the PhD

  1. Two additional courses selected from the Comparative Politics Course List.
  2. Upon the completion of course requirements, students are required to sit a comprehensive field exam and oral exam.

Comparative Politics Course List

A student my substitute graduate courses that are similar to those listed in addressing a topic or subfield of comparative politics, without limitation of inquiry to a particular area, provided the field supervisor approves in advance.

POLS 542/SIS 542 State & Society (5 credits)
POLS 544 Problems in Comparative Government (5 credits, max 15 credits)
POLS 547 Politics of Reform (5 credits)
POLS 548 Comparative Political Parties (5 credits)
POLS 549 Problems of Political Development (5 credits)
POLS 565 Special Topics in Public Law (5, max. 10)
POLS 566 Comparative Law and Politics (5 credits)
POLS 772/JSIS B 572 Electoral Systems (5)
POLS 588 Special Topics in Comparative Political Economy (5, max 10)
SIS 501 Comparative International Studies

Comprehensive Field Exam Structure:

More information on the comprehensive exams in general.

Open book collective exam – schedule each exam during the week of the quarter to which the field has been assigned below. Reach out ASAP if the assigned week will not work for whatever reason.

Week 5 - CP exam 
Week 7 - PE exam 
Week 8 - IR exam 

Oral exams take place during weeks 9 and 10 of the quarter. Reach out to your committee to schedule the exam.

Week 9 - Oral exam 
Week 10 – Oral exam 

Share