GOVT 4000

GOVT 4000

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: Democracy's Global Retreat; Empire and (Anti) Colonial Violence; Politics of Public Policy.


Enrollment Information REF-F25 Enrollment preference given to: Government seniors and juniors.

Exploratory Studies (EAAREA)

Last 3 terms offered 2025SP, 2024FA, 2024SP

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Choose one seminar and one independent study.

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • Topic: Power and Politics in Russia

  •  3556 GOVT 4000   SEM 101

    • W
    • Aug 25 - Dec 8, 2025
    • Rosenfeld, B

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    Enrollment preference given to: Government seniors and juniors.

  • Topic: Power and Politics in Russia

  •  7412 GOVT 4000   IND 601

    • TBA
    • Aug 25 - Dec 8, 2025
    • Rosenfeld, B

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Choose one seminar and one independent study.

  • 4 Credits Graded

  • Topic: Causes of Interstate War

  •  4038 GOVT 4000   SEM 102

    • R
    • Aug 25 - Dec 8, 2025
    • Way, C

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    Enrollment preference given to: Government seniors and juniors.

  • Topic: Causes of Interstate War

  •  7414 GOVT 4000   IND 602

    • TBA
    • Aug 25 - Dec 8, 2025
    • Way, C

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Choose one seminar and one independent study. Combined with: GOVT 6129

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • Topic: Analysis of Natural Experiments

  • 19081 GOVT 4000   SEM 103

    • M
    • Aug 25 - Dec 8, 2025
    • Staff

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    Enrollment preference given to: Government seniors and juniors.

  • 19086 GOVT 4000   IND 603

    • TBA
    • Aug 25 - Dec 8, 2025
    • Staff

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies