FAQs

Can ECON1110 substitute for the ECON0110 requirement?

No. The point of the economics requirement is to get you to take a macroeconomics course. ECON0110, one of the three core courses, covers micro and macro economics. ECON1110 focuses only on microeconomics. Therefore, in order to meet the economics requirement for the IR concentration, students must take either ECON0110 or ECON1210 (macroeconomics).

 

Can AP/IB credit count toward IR concentration requirements?

The IR Program does not give concentration credit for AP/IB courses. Your background from these courses, however, should allow to take higher level courses to fulfill IR Requirements.

 

I do not see a list of electives on the website. How do I decide on the elective for my IR concentration?

There is no pre-approved list of electives. The elective is designed to allow you to personalize your program by choosing a course of interest to you that builds upon your track. The elective should thus contribute to the intellectual coherence of your overall IR program. An elective may come from any of the disciplines associated with IR. Students typically take additional track, regional, or IR theory courses (e.g., INTL1300/INTL1350) for electives. The elective must be upper-level course work, i.e., 1000-level courses. Note: Language training, performance, and lab courses do not meet the elective requirement.

 

How many IR concentration courses can I take S/NC?

Students are discouraged, although not prevented, from taking concentration courses S/NC. You should be aware that graduate programs do not look with favor on S grades, especially in courses in, or related to, your primary field of study.

 

Do internships undertaken in the United States or abroad count for IR concentration credit?

No. The IR Program does not give concentration credit for internships. While we consider internships to be educational and intellectually rewarding, we do not confer credit for such work.

 

Can I use an Independent Study, for IR concentration credit?

Yes. IR concentration credit is permitted for independent study courses on an individual basis. Such credit must be approved by the concentration advisor or IR Program director beforehand, prior to the semester in which the IS is to be undertaken - and may be used for elective credit. Concentration credit is not awarded for independent study courses retroactively. For details on the Independent Study Proposal, please visit this page.

 

I am a native speaker of a language other than English. How do I get credit for the IR language requirement?

Native speakers of a language other than English who have a full range of reading, writing, and conversational skills appropriate for academic work are not required to pursue additional language study. Many international students, however, elect to study another language and use this third language (after the native language and English) to fulfill the IR requirement. Native speakers not enrolling in language study at Brown must present to the IR concentration advisor one of the following:

1. a high school transcript of all courses indicating the language of instruction was a language other than English. Speaking the language at home with family is not sufficient to meet the IR language requirement.
   
   OR
   
   
2. an email from a Brown professor stating, based on whatever means the faculty member should choose, that the student has the equivalent of 3 years of university language instruction covering all three areas of competency as stipulated by the IR language requirement.

 

I am interested in taking a senior seminar in another department. May I substitute that seminar for an INTL1800?

While the IR Program encourages students to take seminars in other departments, only IR Program seminars or those listed on the IR Seminar webpage fulfill the INTL1800 concentration requirement. See IR seminars.

 

I am a double concentrator with International Relations. How many courses can I double-count, i.e., use for both concentrations?

You may double-count a total of two courses with IR. Study abroad and IR core courses are included in that count. For example, if you are counting ECON1210 toward your IR and Economics concentrations, you may double-count only one more course (typically ECON1620).

 

I plan to study abroad my junior year. How many courses may I apply toward my IR concentration?

You may apply 2 courses per semester, for a maximum of 3 courses, toward the IR concentration. Concentration credit is contingent upon satisfactory course content, student performance, and final approval by the IR concentration advisor. Abroad credit may fulfill the IR Regional or elective requirements. Abroad credit may also fulfill one semester of the language requirement with the approval of the language department and the IR concentration advisor. See Study Abroad: Obtaining Concentration Credit.

 

How do I obtain IR concentration credit for courses taken abroad?

Obtaining concentration credit for courses taken during your junior year abroad is a two-step process requiring preliminary approval of your course selection before you go and final approval when you return to Brown with your coursework. All students, including those on Brown-run programs, must obtain formal concentration approval. If you fail to obtain formal concentration approval, you will not be able to count your study abroad toward the IR concentration and will instead have to fulfill concentration requirements with courses taken at Brown. For details, see Study Abroad: Obtaining Concentration Credit.

 

I am a transfer student. How many credits from another U.S. university can I apply toward the IR concentration?

Brown determines the number of transfer credits it accepts when you are admitted as a transfer student. But the IR Program decides how to apply your transfer credits toward the IR concentration. In order that your degree be truly a Brown experience, we require that at least 8 of the 11 requirements of your IR concentration courses be completed with coursework at Brown. In addition, you should be sure that your transfer courses fulfill the right combination of IR courses (e.g., seminar, distribution within the concentration, 1000-level courses). Note: The IR Program cannot apply transfer credit toward the concentration until it appears on your Brown transcript. Click here for more information.

 

How can I be certain that I've completed the IR concentration requirements for graduation?

The fall semester of your senior year (your seventh semester), you are required to revise your concentration form to verify completion of IR concentration requirements for graduation. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that he or she has met all of the requirements for the IR concentration. Revision of the concentration form is mandatory. If you do not revise your concentration form, the concentration advisor cannot sign you off for graduation.

To revise the concentration form

1. complete page one of the Declaration of Concentration form, including any changes in your IR courses and study abroad credit previously approved by the concentration advisor.
2. meet with the concentration advisor for final approval and signature.

 

I am interested in applying to the honors program, but I will be studying abroad during the spring semester of my junior year. Can I apply from abroad?

Yes. Students studying abroad during the spring semester may submit an application by email or fax to the IR Program coordinator. Applications are available from the IR Program office or the IR Program web site here. Students who are abroad are responsible for having their primary thesis advisor send an email, confirming your course preparation for the proposed topic and their willingness to serve as thesis advisor for the student’s senior year, to the IR concentration advisor by the application deadline. All students, whether on the Brown campus or abroad, must meet the application deadline. Late applications are not accepted.

 

Can I use the senior thesis I am writing for my second concentration for my IR concentration?

No. The IR Honors Program does not accept a thesis submitted for another concentration. Likewise, an IR thesis may not be used as a senior thesis in another department.

 

I am a mid-year graduate. Can I still be in the Honors Program?

Yes. Mid-year students follow the same application and thesis submission deadlines as May graduates. This means that you take the mandatory INTL1910 thesis preparation seminar in the fall (as a second semester junior) and complete the thesis in the spring (as a first semester senior). Mid-year graduates do not have an extra semester to finish the thesis.

 

Does the IR Program offer a graduate degree in international relations?

No. The IR Program at Brown does not offer graduate studies. However, Brown offers a Ph.D. in international relations through the Department of Political Science.

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