Graduate Programs

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International and Comparative Politics

Introduction

The Master of Arts in International and Comparative Politics prepares students who intend to continue their education in a Ph.D. program in international relations, comparative politics, or a related field. The program also provides continuing international education opportunities for those working in the public or private sector. Graduate seminars, independent readings, and practicum opportunities enable students to explore the scholarship in their field and its applications. Students may select from among three specialized areas of study: Peace and Security Studies, International Organizations, and Area Studies. Program students are required to complete or demonstrate a quantitative or foreign language research requirement. The degree culminates in either a traditional thesis or a project developed in consultation with a program advisor.

Admission

Applicants to the International and Comparative Politics M.A. degree program must meet the graduate school’s admission criteria, and should additionally demonstrate in their letter of application letter how their undergraduate and/or professional record will be enhanced by participation in the program. Candidates should also prepare an essay that discusses a current issue or policy related to international affairs or comparative politics. The essay should be approximately 500 words and should use secondary sources.

Faculty

Professors
Edward Fitzgerald, international law, natural resource law
Charles Funderburk, political corruption
December Green, Africa, human rights, gender violence
Douglas Nord, Canada, Scandinavia, migration
Donna M. Schlagheck, American foreign policy, terrorism, United Nations
Robert Thobaben (emeritus), political thought
James Walker (emeritus), peace studies

Associate Professors
Liam Anderson, Europe, Central Asia, Russia, weapons of mass destruction, Iraq
Laura Luehrmann, China, East Asia, democratization, social movements
Mark Sirkin, Middle East, Israeli-Palestinian relations
Tracy Snipe, Africa, France, radical black thought

Assistant Professors
Chad Atkinson, quantitative methods, research design, international conflict
John Feldmeier, comparative constitutions, politics and ethics
Pramod Kantha, South Asia, comparative political theory, nationalism

Instructor
Rashida Hussain, international Law, theory, American foreign policy

Financial Assistance

The ICP program offers several graduate assistantships. Graduate fellowships for both part-time and full-time students may be available through the School of Graduate Studies. Awards of financial assistance are generally for the entire academic year, which begins with the fall quarter. Applications for assistantships are obtained from the ICP office and should be submitted to that office by March 15.

Course of Study

Core Requirements	12

PLS 730 Theories in International and Comparative Politics	4
PLS 731 Seminar in International and Comparative Politics	4
PLS 703 Applied Methodology and Research Design	4
Foreign Language/Quantitative Methods	0-8

Students pursue either upper language foreign language courses or complete the appropriate sequence in quantitative analysis:
PLS 701 Methodology I	4
PLS 702 Methodology II	4
Electives	24

Select one track in consultation with advisor:
Courses related to Peace and Security Studies
Courses related to International Organizations
Courses related to Developed/Developing Nations (Area Studies)
Thesis or Project	10

Student selects either in consultation with advisor
PLS 799 Practicum	1-4
AND
PLS 798 Graduate Project	6
OR
PLS 799 Thesis Research	10

Total	46-54