Political ScienceThis field is concerned with understanding and explaining mass political behavior, opinion, and identities. This broadly includes the formation and acquisition of political attitudes, beliefs, and preferences by individuals and groups; how those beliefs, attitudes, and preferences, as well as various social identities, map onto political behaviors and decision-making. Specific areas of study within this field include the origin, nature, and measurement of public opinion; political psychology; voting and participation; campaigns and elections; media and information; political parties; collective action; and disruptive political action.
First Field
Coursework
- POLSCI 701 Core in Political Behavior & Identity
- 3 additional courses from the Political Behavior & Identities course listing
Qualifying Procedure
You will take a written examination at the end of your second year. This examination will assess whether or not you have attained a firm command of the literature in the field. You must demonstrate competencies in American and Comparative political behavior, opinion, and identities. The qualifying procedure will not normally include an oral element, but the examination committee may, at its discretion, administer an oral examination to a student whose written examination the committee deems is in need of an oral defense.
Preliminary Examination
Each student who passes the qualifying procedure in Political Behavior & Identities is required to submit and present for defense before a committee of faculty in that field an original, plausibly publishable research paper on a relevant topic. This must be submitted no later than the end of the first semester of your third year of graduate study. The committee administering the preliminary examination may pass a student with distinction on the basis of both your performance in the qualifying procedure and in your paper presentation and defense.
Second Field
Coursework
- POLSCI 701 Core in Political Behavior & Identity course
- 3 additional courses from the Political Behavior & Identities course listing
| Year of Study | Typical Student Activities |
|---|---|
| Year 1 |
Summer, Pre-Matriculation
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| Year 2 |
Fall and Spring
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| Year 3 |
Fall
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| Year 4 |
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| Year 5 |
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