• GSGS 4100

    Global Activism for Social Justice
     Rating

    5.00

     Difficulty

    1.00

     GPA

    3.91

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    Each student or small group will develop a project, be matched with a Global Studies faculty mentor, identify relevant community groups, and spend the semester working on that project. Students will discuss ideas, formulate plans, identify tactics, and engage with important social justice literatures. Importantly, the course will engage with the project of activism itself, which has the potential to replicate systems of inequality.

  • DS 4125

    Introduction to Deep Learning
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    Understand Deep Learning covering neural networks, activation functions, and optimization algorithms. Gain experience with TensorFlow and PyTorch, mastering key techniques such as Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), and Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs). Explore transfer learning, reinforcement learning, and natural language processing (NLP), along with industry applications and ethical considerations.

  • GSGS 4150

    State, Society, & Development
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.78

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    This seminar offers an examination of the state, civil society, and citizens, focusing on the ways in which these actors and institutions interact to shape economic, human, and political development. The course introduces theories of the state, civil society, and citizenship, and examines the linkages between these spheres, applying these theories to substantive issues and policy arenas.

  • LPPP 4200

    Institutional and Political Context of Public Policy
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.67

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    What are the strengths and weaknesses of the major policy-making institutions, and how does the current system of American governance compare with that of other advanced societies? This class will examine the key institutional and political actors in policymaking; focusing on the increasing fole of non-governmental institutions in problem solving.

  • GSGS 4200

    Applied Research in Global Studies
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.88

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    In this course, students gain experience applying global perspectives, as well as research methods and techniques, to one of several real-world issues. Team-taught, the course allows students to choose a path that includes a methodological foundation, a deep dive into a particular method, a chance to practice a useful skills related to Global Studies professions, and culminating in the applied research project.

  • LPPS 4220

    Comparative Budgeting & Economic Policy
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    This course examines how the world's major states and regions manage their public finances and economic policies through their budgetary processes and institutions.

  • LPPL 4225

    Leadership and Practice: Bringing out the Best in Others
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.67

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    LPPL 4225 is designed to foster three critical skillsets:  1) The expansion of your self-awareness to enhance your competence as a leader, 2) Learning ways to support and inspire the development of strengths in others, and 3) Combining these skills to improve the effectiveness of your student organizations at UVA by reflecting on the organizational and interpersonal dynamics of those groups.

  • LPPS 4230

    US Mental Health Policy
     Rating

    3.50

     Difficulty

    1.50

     GPA

    3.62

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    Explore US mental health policy & analyze effectiveness of policies to address behavioral health needs. Examine how US Fed govt perceives mental illness, impact of science on policy initiatives & why US remains in state of crisis. Topics include: COVID, Social Determinants of Health, institutionalization vs community based svcs, impact of adverse childhood experiences, PTSD & military, brain science, financing mental health svcs & opioid crisis.

  • POTR 4240

    Contemporary Brazilian Cinema
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    This class provides a general overview of film production in Brazil since 1990. We will screen and discuss a variety of documentary and feature-length fiction films, paying special attention to their formal construction and respective portrayals of Brazilian society, particularly as they unfold in a context increasingly marked by globalization and neoliberalism.

  • LPPS 4260

    Politics of Development
     Rating

    5.00

     Difficulty

    3.00

     GPA

    3.59

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    How can we understand patterns of human development around the world? More specifically, how does politics affect health, prosperity and security? Through this course, you will become a critical consumer of explanations for human development and you will learn how to propose and evaluate development initiatives with a keen understanding of the importance of political factors.