Prerequisites & Transfers
Normally, students entering the department must have successfully completed at least two courses offered by the Department of Politics on a graded basis before the end of their sophomore year. The first two courses in Politics taken on a graded basis are considered prerequisites. The following rules apply to the designation of prerequisites by Politics concentrators:
- It is strongly recommended that one or both of the prerequisites be at the 200-level.
- One freshman seminar may count as a prerequisite if it is taught by a regular faculty member of the Department of Politics and has been approved as a prerequisite by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
- Grades in prerequisites are counted in the calculation of departmental honors.
- Prerequisites may be used to fulfill distribution requirements.
In addition to the two prerequisites, Politics concentrators are required to take a course in systematic analysis. Normally, this course should be taken no later than the first semester of their junior year -- and prospective Politics concentrators are encouraged to satisfy this requirement before the end of sophomore year.
Transfers and late concentrators
Students who submit late requests for admission to the Department or who wish to transfer into the Department will be accepted, at the discretion of the Director of Undergraduate Studies, if the Department can make adequate arrangements for supervision of junior and senior independent work.