Watson Institute for International StudiesBrown University

Concentrating in IR

How to File

Students declare their concentration during their sophomore year. You will not be able to register for junior year courses if you have not filed a concentration. Filing an IR concentration requires signatures from the relevant track advisor AND the IR concentration advisor.

PLAN AHEAD! The IR concentration is one of the largest at Brown. Students should begin the filing process early in the Spring of sophomore year. Students who do not plan ahead are likely to not meet the Registrar's filing deadline and, thus, not be able to register for 5th semester courses. Click here for IR filing deadlines.

 

To file an IR concentration:

  1. Concentration Form and Essays

    Complete both pages, including essays, of the Declaration of Standard Concentration Program form. This form is available online from the registrar's office. You can download the IR Concentration Worksheet here in pdf and here in word.   

  2. Track Advisor

    Discuss your IR program with the track advisor. The track advisor discusses your interest in the track, helps with your selection of track courses, makes suggestions, and—providing there are no special questions—signs page two. Click here for a list of track advisors and their office hours.

  3. Concentration Advisor

    Meet with the IR concentration advisor during open office hours or call the program coordinator at 863-3318 for an appointment. After obtaining the track advisor’s signature, you must meet with the IR concentration advisor to discuss the details and planning of your overall IR program and to confirm fulfillment of IR concentration credits. The concentration advisor can make suggestions and answer questions about all aspects of the concentration including study abroad and transfer credits, independent study and undergraduate research, and the honors program. When satisfied that the course of study meets concentration requirements, the concentration advisor gives final approval by signing and dating page two of the concentration form. The concentration advisor approves students for graduation in IR, so it is important that students schedule regular consultations.

  4. Registrar

    Submit 2 copies each of the signed concentration form AND essays to the Registrar (JWW, 3rd floor). Keep another copy for your records.

 

 

 

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How Advising Works

Students may seek advice during normal office hours from any of the Program advisors, depending on the nature of the request as outlined below. Students are encouraged to seek advice whenever the need arises and as often as necessary.

The track advisor helps students decide which track best meets the student’s interests, offers advice on course selection within a particular track, and gives substantive advice particularly as it relates to changes in the focus of the student’s academic program or critical decisions about studying abroad, planning for graduate school, or developing an appropriate academic program in preparation for a particular career path.

The assistant director of the IR Program acts as concentration advisor and is available to speak with students about routine matters concerning the concentration. This includes course offerings and course selection for any given semester, planning courses over several semesters, changes in the student’s concentration program, concentration approval for study abroad and transfer credit from U.S. institutions, fulfillment of IR concentration requirements for graduation, the honors program, or other procedural issues that may arise in dealing with the university administration. Meetings with the assistant director are held during walk in hours and by appointments scheduled through the academic program coordinator at (401)863-3318.

Students should consult the Program director about non-routine administrative matters or matters involving policies of the IR Program. This may include special problems relating to study abroad, requests for any modification of concentration requirements, or any problem that the student believes has not been resolved in an appropriate fashion by the track or concentration advisor. The track and concentration advisors may refer students to the Program director regarding issues or problems they feel require additional attention. Students are encouraged to speak with the Program director about any concerns or comments they have about the IR Program in general or about any specific policies of the IR concentration.

Changes in the student’s concentration program. Students should discuss all changes in their concentration program first with the track advisor and then with the IR concentration advisor. This is to ensure that students pursue an academically coherent program of study, rather than just any collection of courses that might happen to formally meet the requirements. If changes are made, students should complete a new Declaration of Concentration form that is then approved and signed by the concentration advisor.

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How to Graduate

In order to graduate, all seniors must file an updated concentration form with the concentration advisor during their 7th semester. The purpose is to verify completion of IR concentration requirements and to inform students of any outstanding courses or formalities regarding study abroad or transfer credit that must be completed in order to graduate in international relations. Revision of the concentration form during the 7th semester is mandatory for graduation.

To revise the concentration form, students should:

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