2009 Courses

Courses for January Term 2009

PLAP 324B: Virginia Government and Politics [3]

Ken Stroupe, Chief of Staff, University of Virginia Center for Politics

The purpose of this class is to give students an understanding of the law and practice of Virginia government and politics at both state and local levels. The concentration in this syllabus is on the basic and most important topics, and the reading load for each topic is substantial. The dedicated student should finish the course with a thorough preparatory background in Virginiana -- perhaps enough to offer a tentative answer to Guy Friddell's query: "What Is It About Virginia?"

In addition to discussing the institutions of government, we also will spend ample time discussing the modern Virginia politics and the individuals (governors, state legislators, congressmen) who have shaped the Commonwealth. We will explore in-depth the recent gubernatorial and legislative elections, comparing those elections to past statewide elections to evaluate the trends and changing demographics of the Commonwealth.

At the outset, a word of warning is in order: this is not a course limited to current events in Virginia government and politics. On the contrary, the student will be expected to equip himself/herself so as to be able, for example, not only to understand the reasons for the long entrenchment of the Martin and Byrd organizations but also to account for the revivification of first the Republican Party and then the modern Democratic Party, as well as the winds of change at work in the governmental and political life of the state. The aim here is to gain some competence in the intricacies of the Commonwealth's governmental and political life for use not only as an intellectual exercise but also, in some instances, as an aid to a possible future political or governmental career.

The class sessions will include presentations by some of the leading officials in state government. A trip to Richmond is planned for January 7, requiring students to be available for the entire day. Grading will be determined by quizzes, a short team paper, and a final exam.

PLCP 324A: Post-Soviet Political Challenges: Nationalism, Ethnic Conflict, Separatism and Irredentism [3]

Yuri Urbanovich, Lecturer

The end of the Cold War coincided with a wave of national revivals that spread across Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, and became one of the notable consequences of the collapse of communist regimes. This course will focus specifically on the origins of nationalism, separatism, secessions, and irredentist claims in the Russian Federation and other former Soviet republics. This course will focus specifically on the origins of nationalism, separatism, secessions, and irredentist claims in the Russian Federation and other former Soviet republics. The problem of de facto states has become increasingly significant and is particularly relevant today with the recent declaration of Kosovo's independence.

PLCP 441: Nation-Building in Iraq [3]

David Waldner, Associate Professor

America has embarked on an ambitious experiment in nation-building in Iraq. That experiment has four components: defeating the insurgency and establishing order and security; creating a democratic regime and a capable administration; reviving and transforming the Iraqi economy; and uniting Iraq's ethnic groups into a single national framework. Achieving success in Iraq and expanding the new Iraqi model to other nations in the Middle East has become a core element of American national security policy.

This course will evaluate America's nation-building project and consider the prospects of its eventual success. We begin with a survey of modern Iraqi history, investigating why national development has been so elusive and what legacies have been left behind by Saddam Hussein's ruthless dictatorship. We next examine in detail the process and substance of nation-building under American auspices. After measuring the degree of progress made, we will conclude the course with consideration of alternative scenarios for Iraq's future. As a final project, students will write a policy memo evaluating the current status of nation-building and forecasting its future.

Readings will consist of published books and articles, reports issued by governments and non-governmental organizations, and current news accounts. Students will be encouraged to conduct ongoing web-based research. Readings and class discussion will be supplemented by films.