The first is to provide students with a deeper understanding of the politics of a particular region of the world. The second is to enable the student to acquire greater familiarity with theories and concepts used by comparativists in their studies. Students are encouraged to go beyond the minimum requirements and, together with their advisors, should craft an individual plan of study that fits their particular needs. Doctor of Philosophy Degree Doctoral students in Political Science are required to take three fields as their concentration. Of these they will be examined in two.
Departmental exams consist of a take-home written exam and an oral exam.
Students are typically asked to answer three questions. In the Comparative Politics program exam questions test students on their knowledge of the state of the art of the field, basic concepts, and empirical knowledge of the politics covered in the area seminars. Students writing their dissertation in Comparative Politics are required to defend a first draft of their dissertation proposal the same semester as their last prelim exam. Students are responsible for putting together a dissertation committee, consisting of at least four faculty, three of whom have to be Comparative Politics faculty.