Why are some countries poor and how can growth be increased? How do we ensure basic services for the poorest? This course examines capacity, demand, and influence in development, covering poverty, inequality, and growth. Topics include land, labor, credit, human capital, environment, urbanization, risk, decentralization, and corruption. Students test theories of effectiveness, design anti-poverty programs, and write policy memos.

Graduate-level poetry writing workshop for advanced writing students. A weekly 2.5 hour workshop discussion of student poems. For more details, visit our program website at creativewriting.virginia.edu.

International relations studies often overlook underlying geographic, economic, & intern¿l order dimensions that varyingly benefit some states & disadvantage others. How does access to open seas or having a veto at the UN benefit a country? How does being landlocked or lacking natural resources disadvantage a country? Course highlights underlying dimensions shaping how a country perceives its interests & what it emphasizes in foreign policy.

This course exposes students to how business analytics are used in various global managerial contexts. Students develop a toolkit of analytical competencies while gaining experience in solving business problems and communicating analytical findings.

The DI Seminar will provide a unique learning experience that combines interdisciplinary inquiry with diverse forms of scholarly engagement, opportunities to interact with distinguished guests, both academics and community leaders, from on and off-Grounds. In the spring, participants will undertake individual research projects that advance their particular intellectual and professional interests.

Investigates a selected issue in public policy or leadership.

This graduate-level course explores the principles, methodologies, and applications of human-centered design (HCD). Students will learn how to create solutions that meet real human needs. The course combines theoretical foundations with practical application through hands-on projects where students will define problems, prototype solutions, and test with users to develop impactful, user-centered products and services.

A course devoted to the writing of prose fiction, especially the short story. Student work is discussed in class and in individual conferences. Parallel reading in the work of modern novelists and short story writers is required. For more details, visit our program website at creativewriting.virginia.edu.

A graduate-level introduction to technology policy and industry analysis. Covers competitive dynamics, firm strategy, value chains, and economic/financial assessment. Uses semiconductors as a running case, with AI and quantum comparisons on standards, export controls, IP, safety, and ethics. Labs, memos, and debates build skills to evaluate regulation, international coordination, innovation, economic competitiveness, and societal welfare.

In this immersive course, students will become a team of international political analysts for the semester. After selecting a specialization to pursue, students will learn how to collect and evaluate knowledge, interview experts, organize their ideas, and write and brief decisionmakers. This course will provide valuable experience for those interested in careers in international relations, foreign policy, public policy, media, or related fields.