GOVT 4000

Last Updated

  • Schedule of Classes - March 20, 2026 3:39PM EDT

GOVT 4000
Major Seminar

Course information provided by the 2026-2027 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 2026SP, 2025FA, 2025SP, 2024FA

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

  •  6492 GOVT 4000   SEM 101

    • W
    • Aug 24 - Dec 7, 2026

    • Rosenfeld, B

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    Enrollment preference given to: Government seniors and juniors.

    Instructor Consent Required (Add)

  • Topic: Power and Politics in Russia

  •  6495 GOVT 4000   IND 601

  •  
    • Aug 24 - Dec 7, 2026

    • Rosenfeld, B

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies

Syllabi: none

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

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • Topic: Causes of Interstate War

  •  6493 GOVT 4000   SEM 102

  •  
    • R
    • Aug 24 - Dec 7, 2026

    • Way, C

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    Enrollment preference given to: Government seniors and juniors.

  • Topic: Causes of Interstate War

  •  6496 GOVT 4000   IND 602

  •  
    • Aug 24 - Dec 7, 2026

    • 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

  •  6494 GOVT 4000   SEM 103

    • M
    • Aug 24 - Dec 7, 2026

    • Weiss, A

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    Enrollment preference given to: Government seniors and juniors.

    Instructor Consent Required (Add)

  •  6497 GOVT 4000   IND 603

  •  
    • Aug 24 - Dec 7, 2026

    • Weiss, A

  • Instruction Mode: Independent Studies