Research seminars
Every year the Politics Department offers research seminars in each of the four major fields of political science (political theory, comparative politics/systems and cultures, American politics, and international relations). Each enrolled student in residence is required to join one of these seminars each year, attend it regularly, and participate as appropriate to their standing in the program.
Students working in fields other than the four main fields affiliate with the seminar that seems most suitable. Research seminars are graded on a pass/fail basis.
Students present forms of work appropriate to their standing in the graduate program. First-year students typically offer seminar papers (sometimes in draft form), usually in the spring. Second-year students usually present their POL 591 paper, described under “writing requirement.” Third-year students present a draft of their dissertation prospectuses during the fall term. Fourth- and fifth-year students present dissertation chapters.