Woodrow Wilson Department of Politics

232 Cabell Hall
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400787
Charlottesville, VA 22904-4787
(434) 924-3192 Fax: (434) 924-3359
www.virginia.edu/politics

Degree Requirements

Graduate Program The department offers graduate programs leading to M.A., and Ph.D. degrees in Government and in Foreign Affairs. Each of the programs, while emphasizing a specialized study pattern, is based upon a curriculum composed of the following four major fields:

M.A. in Government The candidate is required to pass 24 credits of courses at the 500 level and above, one of which must be a designated research methods course. A thesis is required as well as demonstration of competence in either a foreign language or statistics and quantitative methods.

M.A. in Foreign Affairs The candidate is required to pass 24 credits of courses at the 500 level and above, one of which must be a designated research methods course. A thesis is required as well as demonstration of competence in either a foreign language or statistics and quantitative methods.

M.A.-J.D. in Government and Law The Department of Politics, in cooperation with the School of Law, offers a combined program leading to the degrees of J.D. and M.A.

M.A.-M.B.A. in Government and Business The Department of Politics in cooperation with the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, offers a combined program leading to the degrees of M.B.A. and M.A.

Doctoral Programs Before admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree, the student must have received the M.A. degree (either in the department or at another university); completed 54 credits of graduate courses at the 500 level and above (24 Masters credits and 30 Doctoral credits), and 18 credits of non-topical research, including one designated departmental research methods course; and demonstrated either a reading knowledge of one language and competence in statistics and quantitative methods or a reading knowledge of two languages; passed two comprehensive examination; and secured approval of a dissertation prospectus. Comprehensive exams are offered in the four fields of the Department. At the time of applying for each exam, students shall designate whether the field will represent the major or minor field of study.

Language Requirements Competence in a foreign language is demonstrated by passing a test administered by the appropriate language department at this University (achieving a grade of B in a language course at the 202 level, taken at this University after admission to the graduate program is treated as equivalent to passing the test), or by presenting viva voce evidence to a person acknowledged by the department as capable of evaluating competence in the language.

Competence in statistics and quantitative methods may be demonstrated (a) by successfully completing two courses in the department in statistics and quantitative research; or (b) by a satisfactory performance on a test administered by the department.

Center for Public Service is described under Special Programs and Centers at the beginning of this chapter.

White Burkett Miller Center of Public Affairs is described under Special Programs and Centers at the beginning of this chapter.

Area Studies The department participates in programs sponsored by interdepartmental committees on Asian, Latin American, Russian and East European area studies.

Course Descriptions

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Courses offered by the department are divided into the following fields: I. American politics, II. comparative politics, III. international relations, IV. political theory. Those listed in this catalog are all offered for graduate credit. Undergraduates may register for courses at the 500 level if they have completed 12 credits of work in the department, or with the permission of the instructor. Courses at the 700 or 800 level are exclusively for graduates.

Graduate students who lack a substantial undergraduate background in political science should consult the instructor before registering for a 500-level course. A corresponding 500-level course (or the equivalent) is ordinarily prerequisite for an 800-level course.

Departmental Seminars

PLAD 709 - (3) (Y)
Research Methods and Design in Political Science
Studies the theoretical formulation of questions for political science research and examination of the design and execution of empirical research. Includes consideration of developing hypotheses for research, strategies for data collection (survey research, observational methods, content analysis), managing research projects, and ethical considerations related to the conduct of research.

PLAD 710 - (3) (Y)
Political Research with Quantitative Methods
Studies descriptive and inferential statistics in examining research questions in political science and public administration, including consideration of probability, hypothesis testing, correlation and regression analysis, statistical significance, and use of the SPSS computer package for quantitative analysis.

PLAD 712 - (3) (Y)
Qualitative Methods
Examines strategies for establishing correlation and causation when a small number of cases precludes use of statistical methods. Procedures for employing case studies to develop and test theories. Surveys the major procedures for analyzing small numbers of cases and explores how different research designs can be used to produce valid conclusions.

PLAD 831 - (3) (IR)
Advanced Quantitative Applications in Political Science
Prerequisite: PLAD 709, 710, or equivalents.
Considers the use of selected techniques of behavioral research in the study of government and foreign affairs. Emphasizes the assumptions, procedures, and applications of the techniques rather than substantive findings.

PLAD 832 - (3) (IR)
Advanced Topics in Multivariate Analysis
Prerequisite: PLAD 709, 710, or equivalents.
A survey and application of multivariate modeling techniques.

PLAD 890 - (3) (Y)
Departmental Pro-Seminar
For advanced graduate students who have completed core courses in the relevant departmental subfields. Allows students to read, criticize, and discuss with authors a variety of works-in-progress presented by visiting scholars, departmental faculty, and their peers.

American Politics

PLAP 526 - (3) (Y)
Special Topics in Public Administration
An intensive analysis of selected issues in public administration.

PLAP 530 - (3) (Y)
Politics of Mental Health
Prerequisite: one course in American Politics or permission of instructor
A seminar examining the relationships between politics, policy and psychological well-being. Topics include institutionalization, deinstitutionalization, civil rights, mandated treatment, the role of government in service delivery and insurance coverage, social determinants of health, public opinion about mental health and illness.

PLAP 543 - (3) (Y)
Intergovernmental Relations
Studies the contemporary relations of national, state, and local governments; and urban and metropolitan growth problems and their implications for public policy and administration in relation to the federal system.

PLAP 545 - (3) (Y)
Virginia Government and Politics
Prerequisite: Instructor permission. Enrollment limited.
Studies Virginia government at the state, county, municipal, and special district levels, including an examination of legislative, executive, and judicial organization, politics and the political structure, intergovernmental relations, and structural and political arrangements in the existing and emerging metropolitan areas.

PLAP 565 - (3) (Y)
Economics, Values, and Public Policy
Introduces economic concepts of special relevance to administrative and political decision making. Some attention also to critics of economic perspectives on public policy.

PLAP 585 - (3) (Y)
Seminar on Constitutional Law and Theory
An examination of classic and contemporary theories, partial theories, and perspectives on constitutional interpretation.

PLAP 592 - (3) (IR)
Judicial Policy-making
Prerequisite: Three courses in American government or instructor permission.
Examines the structure and process of judicial policy-making, emphasizing agenda-setting, deciding cases of opinion writing, implementation, compliance, and impact. Focuses on the United States Supreme Court and its relationship to lower federal and state courts and the political environment.

PLAP 595 - (3) (S)
Selected Problems in American Politics
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Independent study under faculty supervision, for students who are preparing for intensive research on a specific topic.

PLAP 700 - (3) (Y)
National Institutions and Processes
Studies the constitutional principles of American government and the functions and interactions of the leading institutions—Congress, the president, courts, the bureaucracy, and political parties. (An introductory seminar for graduate students, particularly for those whose study of American government has been limited.)

PLAP 711 - (3) (Y)
American Political Behavior
Introduces the fields of public opinion, mass media, political psychology, voting behavior, and other forms of political participation. Focuses primarily but not exclusively on research conducted in the United States.

PLAP 741 - (3) (IR)
Survey of State and Local Government
Readings and research on the institutions, processes, and interrelationships of state, local, and governmental units smaller than national in scope.

PLAP 759 - (3) (IR)
Intergovernmental Relations

PLAP 760 - (3) (Y)
Public Administration
General introduction to public administration at the graduate level, emphasizing the political and ecological influences upon it, the problems of internal organization and management, and the problems and methods of innovation and change.

PLAP 766 - (3) (Y)
Policy Analysis
Analyzes public policy problems. Emphasizes the use of program evaluation, public management, and decision analysis on national and local programs.

PLAP 777 - (3) (IR)
Groups in the Political Processes
A critical survey of the roles of groups in the American political system.

PLAP 813 - (3) (IR)
Public Affairs Seminar I
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Analyzes the American political system and the principal policy making institutions. Includes a review of the philosophical and historical origins of the American system; its evolution; the roles of public opinion, interests, and parties; the functions and problems of legislative and executive institutions; and key aspects of modern federalism. Designed as a core course for participants in the Mid-Career Government Executives Program.

PLAP 814 - (1) (IR)
Public Affairs Seminar II
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
A continuation of PLAP 813, emphasizing the role of the public executive; contemporary problems of leadership and management in the public service; and the analysis of selected policy problems.

PLAP 821 - (3) (Y)
The American Presidency
Readings and research on special problems of the American political and administrative system that come to a focus in the presidency or arise out of the manifold responsibilities of the president.

PLAP 822 - (3) (IR)
The Party System and the Conduct of Government
Readings and research, emphasizing the functions of parties in the conduct of government, and the evolution of the party system in response to changes in the broader economic, social, and political environment.

PLAP 823 - (3) (IR)
Topics in American Government

PLAP 825 - (3) (Y)
The American Congress
Studies the legislative process in the U.S. Congress. Topics include the internal distribution of power, influences on legislative behavior, congressional relationships with other political institutions, the place of Congress in the American polity, and the problems associated with it.

PLAP 841 - (3) (IR)
Seminar in Comparative State Politics
Prerequisite: PLAP 741 or the equivalent.
Studies state government from a comparative perspective, emphasizing the relationship of political, economic, and social variables to state politics and policies.

PLAP 844 - (3) (IR)
Urban Politics
Studies patterns of power and influence in urban decision-making. Topics include social, economic, and other factors influencing urban political institutions; patterns of leadership and political behavior in central cities and suburbs; issues of the exploding metropolis, including urban renewal, finances, transportation, education, reform, and state and federal intervention; and methodological problems.

PLAP 861 - (3) (IR)
Seminar in Public Administration
Readings and research in public administration theory and practice and contemporary administrative problems.

PLAP 862 - (3) (Y)
Topics in Public Administration

PLAP 863 - (3) (IR)
Executive Leadership
Explores the careers, personalities, and styles of top executive leaders, the organizational structures and managerial processes available to them, and the dilemmas in establishing and maintaining a leadership role. Emphasizes the president and federal department heads, comparing them to chief executives in government, education, and other public organizations.

PLAP 868 - (3) (IR)
Urban Administration and Policy
Examines urban problems and the strategies to attack them. Emphasizes the role of the local executive, including issues such as service delivery, responsiveness, planning, intergovernmental relations.

PLAP 873 - (3) (IR)
Financial Administration and Budgeting
Explores the philosophy and processes of fiscal management and control, including budget preparation, legislative consideration and authorization, budget execution, debt management, and audit. Examines problems and proposals such as zero based budgeting, sunset legislation, program evaluation, policy analysis, and intergovernmental financial relationships.

PLAP 874 - (3) (IR)
Personnel Administration
Studies the theories and application of public personnel systems and administration.

PLAP 878 - (3) (Y)
Ethical Issues in Politics and Policy
Explores the relationship between ethics, prudence, and public policy in political and administrative settings.

PLAP 883 - (3) (IR)
Topics in Public Law

PLAP 884 - (3) (Y)
Seminar in Civil Rights and Liberties
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Explores the vexatious lines between the rights of individuals and those of the state in democratic society, focusing on such major issues as freedom of expression and worship; separation of church and state; criminal justice; the suffrage; privacy; and racial and gender discrimination. Focuses on the judicial process.

PLAP 885 - (3) (Y)
American Constitutional Law and Theory Seminar
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Examines the nature and parameters of the judicial function, focusing on law courts and jurists, with an emphasis on the political role of the Supreme Court of the United States.

PLAP 897 - (3-12) (S)
Non-Topical Research, Preparation for Research
For master’s research, taken before a thesis director has been selected.

PLAP 898 - (3-12) (S)
Non-Topical Research
For master’s thesis, taken under the supervision of a thesis director.

PLAP 997 - (3-12) (S)
Non-Topical Research, Preparation for Doctoral Research
For doctoral research, taken before a dissertation director has been selected.

PLAP 999 - (3-12) (S)
Non-Topical Research
For doctoral dissertation, taken under the supervision of a dissertation director.

Comparative Politics

PLCP 502 - (3) (IR)
Comparative Political Systems of Southern Europe
Prerequisite: PLCP 311 or instructor permission.
A comprehensive survey of selected political systems in Southern Europe, including France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal.

PLCP 506 - (3) (Y)
Political Development and Developmental Politics
Critical examination and analysis of the basic theories of political development. Emphasizes the development of modern nation state in Europe and the Developing World from 1400 to 2000.

PLCP 511 - (3) (IR)
Politics of Western Europe
Prerequisite: Graduate status or instructor permission.
An in-depth analysis of the institutional structures and policy processes of selected political systems in Europe today. Emphasizes legislatures, political executives, administrative bureaucracies, and their interrelationships as they effect policy-making and policy implementation.

PLCP 520 - (3) (IR)
Comparative Political Parties
Examines political parties in a variety of institutional and socioeconomic settings, focusing on parties in the democratic political systems of Europe, the United States, and Japan.

PLCP 521 (3) (Y)
Soviet and Post-Soviet Politics
Prerequisite: Graduate status or instructor permission.
Studies the political institutions and processes in the former Soviet Union and its successor states from 1917 to the present. Topics include modernization, social change, changing structures and institutions, political mobilization, political cultures, nationality issues, and the problems of reform, system transformation and democratization.

PLCP 523 - (3) (Y)
Politics of Eastern Europe
Prerequisite: Some background in comparative politics and/or history of Eastern Europe.
Studies the development of political institutions in Eastern Europe since 1989. Emphasizes a comparative analysis of the differing paths of development taken by the East Europe regimes. Topics include regional history; the transition and development of political parties, economic reforms, and institutions; and security issues, including the Yugoslav conflict and the expansion of Western security arrangements into Eastern Europe.

PLCP 525 - (3) (Y)
Politics of Economic Reform
A wave of economic change has swept across countries from Argentina to Zimbabwe in recent years, and has influenced the politics in these countries. Course formulates an analytical framework for understanding the politics of economic reform. Readings cover cases in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe.

PLCP 531 - (3) (IR)
Politics of Latin America
Studies the constitutional, political, and administrative systems of the major countries of Latin America, the political implications of economic development and social reform, and nationalist theories of socio-political development.

PLCP 533 - (3) (IR)
Political Parties and Movements in Latin America
Studies the origins, activities, and contemporary position of the major political parties and movements in Latin America and Spain; and their relationship to economic development, social reform, and conduct of government in the principal Latin-American states.

PLCP 535 - (3) (Y)
Democratic Theory and Democratization in Latin America
Investigates the various democratic theories and the democratization process in Latin America. Evaluates these theories and the democratization process in the contemporary global environment.

PLCP 536 - (3) (IR)
Role of the Military in Latin America
Examines the impact of the military on government and society, the conditions effecting military intervention against constitutional governments, and the circumstances in which military intervention occurs and is likely to occur in Latin America and Spain.

PLCP 539 - (3) (IR)
Political Culture

PLCP 541 - (3) (Y)
Islam and Democracy in the Middle East
Prerequisite: PLCP 341 or equivalent.
Studies the prospects for democratic transitions in Middle Eastern states, emphasizing the role of Islamic political movements.

PLCP 551 - (3) (Y)
Politics of China
Studies the structure and process of the Chinese political system, emphasizing political culture, socio-economic development, and political socialization.

PLCP 553 - (3) (Y)
Politics of Japan
Surveys contemporary Japanese society and political behavior including such topics as political culture, interest groups, political parties, parliamentary democracy, decision-making, and public policy.

PLCP 581 - (3) (Y)
Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa
Surveys the principal topics in the study of government and politics of Sub-Saharan Africa. Topics include the colonial experience and the rise of African nationalism; the transition to independence; the rise and fall of African one-party states; the role of the military in African politics; the politics of ethnicity, nation-building and state-building; patrimonialism and patron-client relations; development problems faced by African regimes including relations with external actors; and the political future of Southern Africa.

PLCP 583 - (3) (Y)
Modern South African Politics
Prerequisite: HIAF 302 or at least one course in economics, African history, political economy/development, or African literature.
Examines twentieth-century South African politics with a focus on the rise and fall of apartheid, in the context of the historical circumstances that produced it, the personal experiences of South Africans under apartheid, the local and international networks and movements of opposition it generated, and its enduring legacies.

PLCP 595 - (3) (S)
Selected Problems in Comparative Politics
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Independent study under faculty supervision, for students who are preparing for intensive research on a specific topic.

PLCP 700 - (3) (Y)
Comparative Politics Core Seminar

PLCP 741 - (3) (Y)
Government and Politics of the Middle East
This seminar examines various topics in the government and politics.

PLCP 801, 802 - (3) (Y)
Seminar in Comparative Political Systems I, II
Readings and research on aspects of contemporary political systems suitable for comparative study.

PLCP 805 - (3) (IR)
Processes of Change Affecting Governments
Topics include anticipation and prediction; leadership and communication; processes that change social, economic, and political systems; and government as the steering mechanism.

PLCP 806 - (3) (IR)
Topics in Developmental Politics
Seminar in selected issues of political development, including political mobilization, institutionalization, and breakdowns of political development.

PLCP 811 - (3) (IR)
Topics in the Government and Politics of Western Europe
Studies the contemporary politics and society of a country or group of countries. 811A: Great Britain. 811B: France. 811C: Germany. 811D: Italy and Spain. 811E: Scandinavia. These courses are given on a rotating basis.

PLCP 814 - (3) (IR)
Origins of Democracy and Dictatorship
Analyzes the major theories explaining transitions to democratic regimes and their consolidation or reversion to authoritarian regimes. Case material is drawn from the 19th and 20th centuries from all regions of the world.

PLCP 821 - (3) (Y)
Topics in the Government and Politics of U.S.S.R. and Eastern Europe

PLCP 831 - (3) (O)
Topics in the Government and Politics of Latin America

PLCP 842 - (3) (IR)
Topics in the Government and Politics of the Middle East

PLCP 851 - (3) (E)
Topics in the Government and Politics of China

PLCP 853 - (3) (IR)
Topics in the Government and Politics of Japan

PLCP 861 - (3) (IR)
Topics in the Government and Politics of South Asia
Studies the development of political and administrative institutions and practices in modern India.

PLCP 897 - (3-12) (S)
Non-Topical Research, Preparation for Research
For master’s research, taken before a thesis director has been selected.

PLCP 898 - (3-12) (S)
Non-Topical Research
For master’s thesis, taken under the supervision of a thesis director.

PLCP 997 - (3-12) (S)
Non-Topical Research, Preparation for Doctoral Research
For doctoral research, taken before a dissertation director has been selected.

PLCP 999 - (3-12) (S)
Non-Topical Research
For doctoral dissertation, taken under the supervision of a dissertation director.

International Relations

Note: Courses in international economics and economic development may be elected as part of a special or outside subfield, or they may be taken in support of other work. See courses listed under the Department of Economics.

PLIR 504 - (3) (Y)
Nationalism and World Politics
Examines how nationalism, variously defined, affects relations among states. Topics include whether nations are modern or primordial, when and why nationalism has appeared and reappeared, the relation of nationalism to war, whether and why ethnic conflict in one state spreads to others, and the future of nationalism.

PLIR 505 - (3) (Y)
Ethics and International Relations
Studies philosophical and practical issues of ethical choice in the world of states.

PLIR 506 - (3) (IR)
Military Force in International Relations
Analyzes the use and threatened use of force in international relations. Topics include relevance of force in pre- and post-nuclear era; the causes of war; the evolution of nuclear and conventional strategy since 1945; and arms control.

PLIR 507 - (3) (IR)
Norms and Value Systems in International Relations
Analyzes the formation, operation, and effect of norms, values, and "regimes" in international relations. Topics include human rights, the role of religion and ideology, and the relationship of norms to international institutions.

PLIR 522 - (3) (IR)
Conflict Management in International Law and Organizations
Prerequisite: PLIR 321 or graduate status.
Analyzes legal, political, and institutional aspects of multilateral efforts to deal with international conflicts. Features case studies.

PLIR 538 - (3) (IR)
International Political Economy
Prerequisite: Nine credits of Economics or instructor permission.
An intensive analysis of concepts and selected issues, both historical and contemporary, found in the interfacing of politics and economics in international relations.

PLIR 542 - (3) (Y)
Patterns and Process of United States Foreign Policy
Prerequisite: PLIR 341 or equivalent.
Studies the politics of the American foreign policy process as illustrated through comparative analysis of case studies.

PLIR 554 - (3) (IR)
Japan and World Politics

PLIR 555 - (3) (Y)
Russian/Soviet Foreign Policy
A thematic analysis of Soviet and Post-Soviet Russian foreign policy.

PLIR 562 - (3) (Y)
Latin America in World Affairs
Studies the relations of Latin-American states with the United States, Western Europe, and other areas. Emphasizes inter-American security and the threat of Communism.

PLIR 563 - (3) (Y)
International Relations Theory, Globalization, and the American States
An investigation of various international relations theories, the global economy, and the development and policies of the American States, with an emphasis on issues related to drug trafficking.

PLIR 571 - (3) (Y)
China in World Affairs
Studies the international relations of China; conditioning historical, political, economic, and social forces; and the aims, strategy, and tactics of China’s foreign policy.

PLIR 572 - (3) (Y)
Japan in World Affairs
Studies the international relations of Japan; domestic and foreign factors and forces that condition its foreign policies; and the political, economic, military, and social problems resulting from contacts with China, the Soviet Union, and the Western powers.

PLIR 581 - (3) (Y)
Africa and World Affairs
Prerequisite: instructor permission.
An overview of the international politics of sub-saharan Africa. Analyzes the foreign policies and international relations of African states, including inter-African relations and Africa’s relations with the major powers. Explores alternative policy options open to African states through an analysis of case studies. Also examines the international dimensions of the Southern African situation.

PLIR 595 - (3) (S)
Selected Problems in International Relations
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Independent study under faculty supervision, for students who are preparing for intensive research on a specific topic.

PLIR 700 - (3) (Y)
Core Seminar in International Relations
Provides an overview of the main schools, theorists, and problems in the study of international relations and foreign policy. It is the core seminar for the international relations sub-field and thus aims to represents its contemporary character.

PLIR 706 - (3) (IR)
The Development of Classical Strategic Thought
Studies the evolution of military strategy before the nuclear age. Examines the writings of major classical theorists, including Sun Tzu, Thucydides, Vegetius, Machiavelli, Frederick the Great, Clausewitz, Jomini, Mahan, Douhet, Mackinder, Mao Tse-Tung, and Liddell Hart. This course is the first half of a two-part series, the second half of which will examine the development of strategy in the nuclear age.

PLIR 708 - (3) (Y)
Military Force in International Relations
Examines the threat and use of military force in international relations. Surveys the conceptual and theoretical literature on the subject; evaluates leading theories in light of historical experience; and explores a variety of factors that have traditionally conditioned the use of force, including ethical considerations, international law and organizations, the policy-making process, and public opinion.

PLIR 712 - (3) (IR)
Theory of International Law
Analyzes the functions of law, and the interrelationship of legal and political factors and processes, in the international system. Emphasizes a critical appraisal of the concept of "the rule of law" in international relations.

PLIR 721 - (3) (IR)
International Organizations
Studies the evolution, objectives, and methods of international organizations; the role of international organizations in contemporary international relations; and an analysis of the principal functions of the United Nations.

PLIR 738 - (3) (Y)
International Political Economy
Provides an understanding of some of the basic principles of international economics as they relate to state and political changes, and the ways in which states and political conflict have in turn changed the "rules" of international economics over the last four centuries.

PLIR 740 - (3) (IR)
Foreign Policy of the United States
Study of the background, processes, and select policy problems of American foreign policy.

PLIR 741 - (3) (IR)
Contemporary U.S. Foreign Policy
Analyzes contemporary American foreign policy, with an emphasis on the Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton administrations.

PLIR 752 - (3) (Y)
Western Europe in World Affairs
Studies the contemporary political, military, economic, and social problems of Western Europe, and their effects on the world position of the countries of Western Europe and on European integration and federation.

PLIR 765 - (3) (O)
The Middle East in World Affairs
Examines various topics and theories in Middle Eastern affairs.

PLIR 808 - (3) (IR)
Problems of Force in International Relations
PLIR 506 is recommended.
Study of selected topics related to war, security arrangements, and the political functions of military capabilities in the international system.

PLIR 811 - (3) (IR)
Topics in International Law and Organizations
Research seminar on selected issues having both legal and organizational aspects.

PLIR 822 - (3) (IR)
Institutional Trends in the International System
Examines developments in regional functional or general political institutions.

PLIR 831 - (3) (Y)
Issues and Problems in International Relations Theory
Analyzes major concepts and patterns of behavior in international relations.

PLIR 832 - (3) (IR)
Seminar in International Politics
Comparative analysis of the stability of the major international settlements, emphasizing contemporary arms and territorial negations.

PLIR 835 - (3) (Y)
Normative Approaches to International Politics
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Reviews major theories of morality and foreign policy, a discussion of outstanding issues and problems, an examination of case studies illustrating theories and problems, and an analysis of concepts of practical morality.

PLIR 836 - (3) (IR)
Ideological Topics in International Relations

PLIR 838 - (3) (Y)
Topics in International Political Economy
Prerequisite: PLIR 538 and at least three additional credits of international economics, or instructor permission.
An intensive examination of selected topics covering international political economy.

PLIR 839 - (3) (Y)
Advanced Topics in International Relations Theory
Prerequisite: PLIR 700 or equivalent.
Examines key issues in modern international relations theory, including offense versus realism, the formation of alliances, the role of institutions, the factors influencing trade policy, recent psychological approaches, and the role of ideas and norms.

PLIR 841 - (3) (IR)
Topics in United States Foreign Policy
Comparative analysis of the foreign policy perspectives of America’s leading statesmen since the Second World War.

PLIR 842 - (3) (IR)
Comparative Foreign Policy

PLIR 843 - (3) (IR)
The Far East in U.S. Foreign Policy
A regional study of the political, institutional, and socio-economic factors in the development of United States policy in the Far East, emphasizing the area problems presented by the twentieth-century international revolutionary syndrome, including Korea, China, Japan, and the South East Asian peninsula.

PLIR 845 - (3) (Y)
American Foreign Policy: Cold War and After
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Examines major approaches to the Cold War, its causes, origins and major periods and certain crucial policies and problems such as the Marshall Plan, containment and détente.

PLIR 852 - (3) (IR)
Western European Topics in World Affairs

PLIR 856 - (3) (IR)
Russian and Eastern European Topics in World Affairs

PLIR 862 - (3) (IR)
Latin American Topics in World Affairs

PLIR 866 - (3) (IR)
Middle Eastern Topics in World Affairs

PLIR 872 - (3) (O)
Chinese Topics in World Affairs

PLIR 873 - (3) (IR)
Japanese Topics in World Affairs

PLIR 876 - (3) (IR)
South Asian Topics in World Affairs

PLIR 897 - (3-12) (S)
Non-Topical Research, Preparation for Research
For master’s research, taken before a thesis director has been selected.

PLIR 898 - (3-12) (S)
Non-Topical Research
For master’s thesis, taken under the supervision of a thesis director.

PLIR 997 - (3-12) (S)
Non-Topical Research, Preparation for Doctoral Research
For doctoral research, taken before a dissertation director has been selected.

PLIR 999 - (3-12) (S)|
Non-Topical Research
For doctoral dissertation, taken under the supervision of a dissertation director.

Political Theory

PLPT 434 - (3) (E)
Topics in Ancient and Medieval Political Philosophy
Intensive analysis of selected texts in premodern political thought, focusing on a single thinker or problem.

PLPT 501 - (3) (IR)
Nature of Political Inquiry
Prerequisite: Graduate status or at least three credits in political theory.
Studies important conceptual issues encountered in the scientific study of politics, including an introduction to the philosophy of science; classic contributions to the scientific study of politics; and the problems of "value free" science, and studying "meaningful" behavior.

PLPT 502 - (3) (Y)
Basic Problems of Political Philosophy
Examines the character of political philosophy and its justification under contemporary circumstances.

PLPT 503 - (3) (IR)
Marxist Theories
Studies the basic political, sociological, and philosophical ideas advanced by Marx and Engels; their historical backgrounds; 20th- century developments and varieties of Marxist thought; principal critics; and chief debates.

PLPT 505 - (3) (Y)
Concepts of Law
An in-depth exploration of recent and contemporary analytical jurisprudence, covering the work of such writers as Hart, Dworkin, Finnis, Raz, and others.

PLPT 506 - (3) (IR)
Plato and Aristotle
Prerequisite: PLPT 101 or 301 or instructor permission.
Studies the political and philosophical ideas of the founders of political philosophy.

PLPT 515 - (3) (Y)
Continental Political Thought
Prerequisite: Any previous PLPT course or permission of the instructor.
Surveys the main currents of Continental political thought from the 18th century through the present.

PLPT 595 - (3) (S)
Selected Problems in Theory and Method
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Independent study under faculty supervision, for students who are preparing for intensive research on a specific topic.

PLPT 700 - (3) (Y)
Introduction to Political Theory
Introduces the themes, methods, and development of political theory from classical antiquity to the present.

PLPT 722 - (3) (IR)
American Political Thought
Studies the development of American political thought by major contributors.

PLPT 802 - (3) (IR)
Problems of Political Philosophy
Detailed study of one or more problems in political philosophy.

PLPT 803 - (3) (Y)
Topics in Modern Political Philosophy
Special study and intensive analysis of a select number of modern writers.

PLPT 821 - (3) (IR)
Seminar in American Political Thought and Institutions
Selected topics for advanced law or graduate students in government or history.

PLPT 897 - (3-12) (S)
Non-Topical Research, Preparation for Research
For master’s research, taken before a thesis director has been selected.

PLPT 898 - (3-12) (S)
Non-Topical Research
For master’s thesis, taken under the supervision of a thesis director.

PLPT 997 - (3-12) (S)
Non-Topical Research, Preparation for Doctoral Research
For doctoral research, taken before a dissertation director has been selected.

PLPT 999 - (3-12) (S)
Non-Topical Research
For doctoral Dissertation, taken under the supervision of a dissertation director.