PLCP 4500

Grading consisted of 3 short Assignments (combined: worth 10% of final grade) and a research paper submitted at the end of the semester. Professor Waldner is very knowledgeable, so you will learn a lot, particularly about nation-building. However, he dominated all conversations in the seminar (e.g., who would talk), so discussions would feel very forced, un-smooth at times. He gave us a lot of freedom to choose our research topic- which is nice- but at times would give unclear guidance.
Overall, somewhat satisfied. Only take the class if you are TRULY interested in the topic.

This course on nation building was easily one of the best politics classes I've gotten to take at UVA. I would recommend this to any foreign affairs major. We did a more comprehensive deep dive on American foreign interventions around the world than in any other class. Furthermore, the way Waldner conducts the discussion with 20 students makes you work hard and want to critically evaluate the readings to come to class and participate in a substantial fashion. One 25 page paper is the only real submission, topic completely of your own choosing. There is lots of reading each week but unlike other classes I never thought the readings were boring or only sort of on topic. TLDR; absolutely recommend to any foreign affairs major, best politics class I've taken.