GOVT 4000

Last Updated

  • Schedule of Classes - October 31, 2025 7:07PM EDT

GOVT 4000
Major Seminar

Course information provided by the 2025-2026 Catalog.

Major seminars in the Government department are small, advanced courses that cover an important theme or topic in contemporary politics in depth. Courses place particular emphasis on careful reading and classroom discussion, and students can expect to write a significant research paper. These courses are open to all Cornell students, but preference in admissions is given to seniors over juniors, and to Government majors over other students. Topics vary by semester and section. Fall 2025 Topics include: Power and Politics in Russia; Causes of Interstate War; Analysis of Natural Experiments. Spring 2026 Topics include: Criminal Justice in Comparative Perspective; Democracy's Global Retreat; Gandhi's Politics; Politics of Public Policy.


Enrollment Priority Enrollment preference given to: Government seniors and juniors.

Exploratory Studies (EAAREA)

Last 4 Terms Offered 2025FA, 2025SP, 2024FA, 2024SP

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Choose one seminar and one independent study.

  • 4 Credits Graded

  • Topic: Politics of Public Policy

  •  6529 GOVT 4000   SEM 101

  •  
    • M
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Mettler, S

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    This is an advanced course, which builds on but does not duplicate GOVT 3032, and it is permissible to take both. Enrollment preference given to: Government seniors and juniors. This course fulfills the Government major's seminar requirement.

  • Topic: Politics of Public Policy

  •  6533 GOVT 4000   IND 601

  •  
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Mettler, S

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Choose one seminar and one independent study. Combined with: GOVT 6836, RELST 6836

  • 4 Credits Graded

  • Topic: Gandhi's Politics

  •  6530 GOVT 4000   SEM 102

  •  
    • R
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Livingston, A

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    Enrollment preference given to: Government seniors and juniors. This course fulfills the Government major's seminar requirement.

  • Topic: Gandhi's Politics

  •  6534 GOVT 4000   IND 602

  •  
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Staff

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Choose one seminar and one independent study.

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • Topic: Democracy's Global Retreat

  •  6531 GOVT 4000   SEM 103

  •  
    • T
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Staff

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  • Topic: Democracy's Global Retreat

  •  6535 GOVT 4000   IND 603

  •  
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Staff

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies

Syllabi: none

  •   Regular Academic Session.  Choose one seminar and one independent study.

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • Topic: Criminal Justice in Comparative Perspective

  •  6532 GOVT 4000   SEM 104

  •  
    • R
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Blackman, A

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  • Topic: Criminal Justice in Comparative Perspective

  •  6536 GOVT 4000   IND 604

  •  
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026

    • Staff

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies