How do students prepare for the Comps?
The students’ coursework is the primary preparation for the comps. IR5551 Survey of IR, IR6620 International Political Economy, and IR6652 Theory and Ideology are particularly useful and it is a good idea for students to have completed them before taking the comps. It is also a good idea take at least one elective dealing with International Security (i.e., National Security Affairs, Military Strategy and IR, Terrorism and Political Violence, or a Seminar in IR on a relevant topic), and one or two dealing with Instruments of IR (i.e., International Organization, International Law, International Power and Influence, or a Seminar in IR on a relevant topic).
