PLIR 3400

I really enjoyed this class with Professor Owen. Although his lectures can be somewhat dry, he does a nice job of clearly presenting the different theories and applying them to case studies. He's also extremely personable and helpful during office hours. There is a lot of reading each week (both theorists' essays and historical documents) so an interest in US foreign policy and, more specifically, IR theory, is crucial to finding this class worthwhile. There's a midterm and a final along with a large research paper, but if you prepare adequately for exams you should do fine. Overall I'd definitely recommend the class to anyone with an interest in IR/history of US foreign relations but if you don't fall into one of those categories you may find the class boring.

This is a great class for anyone interested in U.S. foreign policy. Owen is a good lecturer and makes the material interesting. He is very knowledgable on the subject.

this class was a great introduction to American foreign policy if you know little about the subject. It is imperative to do the readings as the tests are based largely on the theories you will learn. The tests are essay tests, not bad if you have done the reading, attended lecture (for the most part), and have come prepared. Michael Pozanansky was a great TA. Owen is a little bit boring during lectures, but overall I liked going! Would recommend!

Overall a good, fair class. Owen's lectures are at times a little dry, but he communicates theoretical ideas and their applications clearly. Lectures are fairly important as he does not use powerpoint slides very often aside from pictures. I came into the class with little knowledge about US foreign policy, but was able to keep up through the readings and Owen's clear lectures. The grading is based on essay format (ID's, short essays, long essay) midterm and final, a long research paper on a foreign policy topic of your choice, and discussion participation (including collab posts). The exams were fair and gave choices on each section. If you do the readings and pay attention in lecture you should do well.

Took this class because I wanted to study more about US foreign policy, but it was my first IR class so I was surprised when we spent the entire time doing theories. Lecturs are super dry and unnecessary if someone gives you the notes. Professor Owen is very knowledgeable but not a good lecturer. The grading is very difficult because the TAs look for super specific things on the midterm, final, and paper. They say you don't have to know outside knowledge for the class but it is almost impossible to do well without it. I would not recommend this class to anyone except an IR major.

Great course, though the reading was often dense and discussion very tedious.

Professor Owen is the best professor I have ever had in the politics department here at UVA (and I am a foreign affairs major). His lectures are so interesting, and this class' topic matter is fascinating. Its not based on theory- but on cases- and using theory to explain why the outcomes resulted (for example, the outcome of the Cuban Missile Crisis). Strongly recommend this class! #tcf2016

Enjoyed this course a lot! The beginning of the course started off a little dry as it seemed all theory-based and a bit abstract but the course really picked up. He first explains a theory very well then uses 1 or 2 cases studies to explain it. Owens picks case studies that we all either know about or want to know about because they're so important in history (ie Vietnam War, Cuban Missile Crisis, Cold War (LOTS of time spent on CW)) He first explains a theory very well then uses 1 or 2 cases studies to explain it. The class also picked up on very relevant cases. I feel much more informed about very important events in the past and current events and speak to them with theories. Midterms are graded harder on purpose and the final is graded more leniently. Owens gives you a vocab sheet before each exam (exhaustive, exhaustive list) and about 6 are on the exam but in defining each term/person on the list, you study the context and thus study for the exams. Would definitely recommend and take it with TA Carl!

If you're looking for an easy A politics class, this is it. If you're looking for a worthwhile/fulfilling class, this is not it. Owen is a really knowledgeable guy but I think a lot of times this translates to him dumbing down a lot of the material which make the lectures really difficult to get through. The readings are interesting, but not necessary to getting an A. We spent most of the time on the Cold War, but spent November on actually interesting stuff like current US Foreign Policy.

Professor Owen is a fantastic professor. He is super approachable and very neutral when he presents his theories. The lectures are dry at first, but the material gets more interesting later on. If you want a relatively easy politics class, I would certainly recommend this one.