Graduate Program - Comparative Politics

Curriculum

Our graduate curriculum builds on a broad overview of the field in the Comparative Politics Core (PLCP 700), a seminar that focuses on classic as well as contemporary works. We encourage students to complement their study of broad theoretical perspectives in this Core seminar and in our other Perspectives classes with concurrent coursework in Methods, Topics, and Areas (see diagram below). By the time a Ph.D. student concentrating in comparative politics has completed her coursework, she should have taken the CP core, quantitative or qualitative methods, at least two Perspectives courses, at least one Topics class and at least one Area class. We expect all students writing dissertations on specific regions of the world to acquire the linguistic skills needed to conduct research in one or more languages of the region. Those studying comparative politics as a minor field should be prepared for the required comprehensive exam if they take CP 700, two Perspectives classes, and either Qualitative Methods, an Area class, or a Topics class (four classes in total). Of course, CP majors and minors are also expected to familiarize themselves with the works listed in our CP Reading List, not all of which are covered in any combination of 4-7 classes.