All PAS Cluster fellows are Ph.D. candidates in currently constituted departments and therefore must complete all of the standard requirements of their chosen department.  They use the standard five elective courses that most departments allow to complete the course requirements for the PAS Cluster.  These courses will enable students to develop competencies in theoretical approaches and research skills that are relevant to their substantive analyses in their research.

To receive certification, students must complete five PAS courses in addition to their core departmental requirements.  At least one of these five courses must come from each of the following three areas.

• Interdisciplinary substantive expertise.  Students will continue to need to develop expertise on substantive topics relevant to their research interests (either about specific countries or specific disciplinary topics), in consultation with their advisors.  At least one course must be taken from outside the student’s home department (including Northwestern University departments, or at other universities which are members of the CIC).  These courses are intended to ensure that PAS students develop substantive interdisciplinary expertise in their area of research.
• Language competence.  Students will need to develop language skills for areas and cultures in which they will conduct research. 
• Other competencies to be negotiated with the PAS faculty

Non-Course Requirements 

Fellows also develop their interdisciplinary skills by participating in a number of fora sponsored by PAS and CICS.

• CICS Fellows.  Students will become fellows at the Center for International and Comparative Studies (CICS) and will participate in events and meetings linked to the PAS program at CICS.
• Afrisem Workshop.  Students attend and participate in the weekly Afrisem series.
• Quarterly Meetings.  The full body of PAS advisors and students meets once a quarter for discussion, debate, and sociability.  At least one of these meetings will be a proposal writing workshop for third and fourth year students.