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.

Filing a concentration is a three-step process. To file an IR concentration:

  1. Complete all three pages of the “Declaration of Standard Concentration Program” form. These forms are available from the Registrar’s office, the IR Program office and online. You can download the IR Concentration Worksheet here.       

  2. Discuss your IR program with the track advisor, who signs page two.
    The track advisor reviews the forms, discusses the track, makes suggestions, and answers questions as appropriate, and--providing there are no special questions--signs page two. Click here for a list of track advisors and their office hours.


  3. 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 of the program and to confirm fulfillment of IR concentration credits. The concentration advisor can answer questions about the concentration, study abroad and transfer credits, and the honors program. When satisfied that the course of study meets concentration requirements, the concentration advisor gives final approval by signing and dating pages one and three of the concentration form. The concentration advisor approves students for graduation in IR, so it is important that students schedule regular consultations.
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Advising

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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Graduating Seniors

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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