MA PROGRAMS
ORIENTATION
Monday, August 30th 2010
Shinasi A. Rama
MA Programs Director
OVERVIEW
 MA Programs Faculty and Staff
 MA Programs, Degrees, Concentrations and Tracks
 Essential Information
 Rules and Regulations
 Degree Breakdown
 Course Breakdown
 MA Programs Events and Activities
 Student Life
MA PROGRAMS STRUCTURE
 MA Faculty
 Prof. Shinasi Rama
 Prof. Asli Peker
 Prof. Alejandro Quiroz Flores
 Prof. Muserref Yetim
 Administration
 Lauren B. Elick
 Carlos J. Rios
 Sarah M. Dickinson
NB.: All the information about emails, offices and office hours is
available online.
HOW TO CONTACT THE STAFF?
EMAIL: For all inquiries we require that you contact only:
politics.masters@nyu.edu
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The email goes to multiple persons
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You will receive an answer within one business day
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Helps the MA faculty and staff work better
MA FACULTY OFFICE HOURS:
Every day of the week at least one MA Faculty Advisor will be available to meet with
MA students.
- We recommend that students meet with their assigned MA Faculty Advisor.
-
For problems that require urgent and immediate attention, you may see any
available MA Faculty Advisor.
MA ADVISING STRUCTURE
 Prof. Asli Peker
 Comparative Politics
 Political Theory
 IR and Journalism Joint Program
 Prof. Muserref Yetim
 Political Economy
 International Politics and Business
 International Political Economy (IR track)
 Prof. Alejandro Quiroz Flores
 International Relations (International Security and Political Development
tracks).
FALL 2010 ADVISING SCHEDULE
 By now, you should have made an appointment to meet with
your MA Advisor. If not, then, please contact:
politics.masters@nyu.edu
 Be PREPARED to discuss the following:
 What do you plan to do in the future?
 What are your expectations of us?
 What courses would you like to take?
 Do you plan to specialize in a particular area/topic?
 Have you identified any internships/jobs that you may apply to?
 Any other questions that you may want to ask.
ADVISING STRUCTURE
 You will be assigned two Advisors:
 MA Faculty Advisor
 Your principal contact in the Department
 Will follow your progress from the day you join the Program
 Works with you on all administrative and academic matters
 The Academic Advisor
 A senior member of the Faculty that specializes in your area of
interest.
 Helps you work with your ideas and the literature.
MA PROGRAMS

Master of Arts IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (MAIR).
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Security
Political Development
Economic Development
MA IN POLITICS (MA)
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Political Theory
Comparative Politics
Political Economy
International Politics and Business
International Affairs
Political Economy Analysis

Master of Arts in International Relations and Journalism

BA/MA

MA/MBA

JD/MA
MAIR – Master of Arts in
International Relations
 Requirements:
 complete 40 points of coursework
 successfully complete an Internship
 write an MA Thesis
 demonstrate proficiency in one language other than English or,
with permission of the director of M.A. programs, in
intermediate statistics (QUANT II) .
NB.: Students are expected to maintain a grade point average of 3.0 (on
a 4.0 scale)
MAIR – COURSE STRUCTURE
 REQUIRED (12 points)
 International Politics
 Comparative Politics
 Quantitative Analysis
 TRACK COURSES (12 points)
 Core Track Course
 Two recommended courses
 ELECTIVES (12 points)
 An approved Internship and corresponding supervision course (2 points)
 A Master's Thesis and corresponding supervision course (2 points)
NB. : Tracks are for departmental use only and informally designed to help you
structure your studies better.
MA IN POLITICS
 REQUIRED ( 20 points)
 The core course in your field
 Three more courses in your field
 A second core course in another field
 Electives (12 points)
 Three courses at your discretion but approved by your MA Advisor
NB. Two of these courses could be taken outside the Department of Politics
 An approved internship and corresponding supervision course (2 points)
 A Master’s Thesis and corresponding supervision course (2 points)
 Demonstrate proficiency in one language other than English or, with permission of
the director of M.A. programs, in statistics (Quantitative Analysis).
NB.: Students are expected to maintain a grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
IPB
A separate information session on Tuesday
August 31st 2010
Room 212
9:20 AM
THE MA THESIS

Students complete the thesis as part of the Master's Thesis Seminar
course (2 points) .
 The MA Thesis is a heavily researched academic work consisting of
10,000-15,000 words dealing with an important and timely topic in
politics related to a student's chosen concentration.
 The thesis should demonstrate that a student has sufficient command
of literatures and arguments pertaining to the chosen topic.
 Students are required to notify the thesis seminar course instructor at
the initiation of research for the master's thesis and register for the
M.A. thesis course.
 In conjunction with the thesis seminar instructor, students will choose a
faculty thesis supervisor.
INTERNSHIPS
 The internship component is designed to provide students with
practical experience.
 While participating in the internship, students simultaneously
enroll in the internship supervision course to ensure thoughtful
reflection on the experience.
 While the dept. provides support in the form of advising, letters
of recommendation, etc., the responsibility of finding an
internship rests with the student.
 For additional rules and forms, please consult the MA Internship
Handbook.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
PROFICIENCY
 MA Students must demonstrate proficiency in one language
other than English or, with permission of the Director of M.A.
Programs, in intermediate or advanced statistics.
 Students demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language by
passing the GSAS foreign language proficiency examination or by
completing an intermediate-level foreign language course with a
grade of B or better.
 Students demonstrate proficiency in statistics by completing
Quantitative Analysis with a grade of B or better.
GSAS RULES AND
REGULATIONS
 Academic Probation
 Conferral of degrees
 Full-Time Equivalency
 Leave of Absence
 Maintenance of Matriculation
 Time Limits
ACADEMIC PROBATION
 Academic Probation
 A student who has not maintained an average of B or better or
who has not fulfilled a specific degree requirement within the
appropriate time frame will be placed on academic probation.
 If the circumstances of the probation have not been corrected
according to the terms outlined by the letter of probation, the
student is subject to dismissal by the Department Chair.
CONFERRAL OF DEGREES
 Graduate degrees are conferred in September, January
and May of each year and Commencement takes place in
May.
 Exact dates on the conferral of degrees can be found at
www.nyu.edu/registrar/gsas/calendar.
 Commencement takes place only in May. Plan ahead.
FULL-TIME EQUIVALENCY
 Students registering for less than 12 points (i.e. three courses) per
semester may obtain FTE with permission from Prof. Rama.
 Students on an F1 visa must request full-time equivalency (FTE)
to maintain visa compliance when necessary.
 Students can be approved for full-time equivalency in their final
semester ONLY. Students MUST maintain full-time equivalency
through course work until their final semester.
 Students must be engaged in full time academic work during
their final semester in order to qualify for full-time equivalency.
 Exceptions are very rare, so plan ahead!
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
 A student in ‘good standing’ (maintaining an average of B or
better) who is obliged to withdraw temporarily for national
service, serious illness, or compelling personal reasons may
request a leave of absence.
MAINTENANCE OF
MATRICULATION
 Students who have completed their MA coursework must
maintain continuous enrollment until receiving their degree.
 Students maintain matriculation by registering for G47.4747.001,
Maintenance of Matriculation.
 Payment of the Maintenance of Matriculation fee entitles
students to use the libraries and other facilities, consult faculty
members and participate in university activities.
 NB: matriculation must be maintained through the semester in
which the MA students receive their MA degree.
TIME LIMITS
 Students can complete the MA in Politics in as little as one year,
including the summer semester, although this is a very intensive
route.
 Students are expected to take between a year and a half and up
to two years to complete the MA in International Relations.
 Part-time students usually finish in two to three years.
 NB: There is a time limit of five years for students to complete the
program mandated by GSAS.
DEPARTMENTAL POLICIES
 Departmental Access
 Communications
 Computing
DEPARTMENTAL ACCESS
 Swipe access to 19 W 4th and Washington Place entrances
 Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 9 PM
 Saturday and Sunday, 9 AM to 6 PM (ground and 4th floors)
 ID Cards to be programmed by 9/10/10
 383 Lafayette St. or Palladium: 125 E 13th ST.
 http://www.nyu.edu/nyucard/ for hours and other info
 4th floor computer lab: See Program Staff for Code
 Classroom use: by reservation only
 Small study spaces: by reservation only
COMMUNICATIONS
 MA Listserv
 All new students will be added to list effective 9/7/10
 ONLY your nyu.edu email address will be used
 Make sure it is active: http://start.nyu.edu
 For help: http://www.nyu.edu/its/askits/
 Used to communicate all types of important information
 Course changes
 Events and seminars
 Jobs and Internships
COMPUTING
 Network Drives (H:) for storage
 Accessed only by using your POLI login
 Group Drives (J:) for information
 Printing from lab machines
 Quota of 500 pages per month
 Unused quota rolls to next months; reset every quarter in January,
April, July and October (first of the month)
 Additional pages can be purchased from Lauren Elick
 8 cents per page, minimum purchase of 200 pages ($16)
 Cash only; receipts provided
REGISTRATION
 Understanding Course Listings
 Registration via Albert
COURSE NUMBERS
•
Political Theory
G53.1100.001
•
American Politics
G53.1300.001
•
Political Economy
G53.1400.001
•
Comparative Politics
G53.1500.001
G53.X6XX.001
•
International Relations
G53.1700.001
G53.X8XX.001
G53.X9XX.001
REGISTRATION
 Online via Albert
 Accessed through NYU Home
 https://home.nyu.edu
BREAK
Orientation will resume at 3:30 PM.
FACULTY AND COURSE
INTRODUCTIONS
 Faculty Introductions, Prof. Shinasi Rama
 Course Descriptions, Selected Faculty
STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Journal of Political Inquiry
 Editor-in-Chief, Tyson Patros

International Relations Association
 President, Ezgi Demirci

Seminars

Workshops

Guest lecturers and speakers

Guided visits to institutions and organizations

Social Activities
ALEXANDER HAMILTON CENTER
 Concentration in Political Economy Analysis
 Certificate in Political Economy Analysis
 Center Leadership
 Prof. Bruce Bueno de Mesquita, Director
 Prof. Shinasi Rama, Deputy Director
 Sarah Dickinson, Administrator
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Following the Question and Answer Session, please join us
for a Welcome Reception in the lobby of 19 W 4th St.