Core Courses

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Core Courses

IAPA Core Course Offerings

Lists are subject to change. Check Courses at Brown (C@B) for current availability.


All International and Public Affairs concentrators take a common core of classes. This includes the choice of a “gateway” lecture course that examines broad global themes and provides an introduction to multidisciplinary analysis; one qualitative and one quantitative research methods course (a language instruction course at the 0400 level or above can substitute for one of the methods courses); a junior seminar; and a capstone.  

In addition to taking these core classes, students choose one of three tracks of specialization: Development, Policy & Governance, or Security, and take the corresponding foundational course plus five electives.
 

Track Electives

In addition to a foundational course, students take five electives within their corresponding track. Courses must be selected from the list of pre-approved electives.  

A Note About Course Substitutions

In rare cases where we missed a course offering or in exceptional circumstances, students can petition for a course outside the current pre-approved list to count towards IAPA requirements. If you find yourself in such a circumstance, submit a completed Petition Request form for each course you’re seeking approval for. It may take up to 3-5 business days to receive a response. 

  • Core courses (Gateway, Track Foundational, Junior Seminars, and Senior Seminars) cannot be substituted.
  • Requests can be submitted if a student already has an approved IAPA declaration in ASK or during the declaration process (i.e., prior to or immediately after the declaration meeting with advisor/Manager).
  • Retroactive Approvals of exceptions are granted only in extreme circumstances (e.g., late transfer, graduation jeopardy).