Courses - Fall 2026
GFPL
Global and Foreign Policy
Open Seats as of
07/20/2026 at 08:30 AM
GFPL100
War, Peace and Crisis: Foundations of Global and Foreign Policy
Cross-listed with: PLCY170.
Credit only granted for: GFPL100, PLCY170, or PLCY288P.
What can we do about the recurrence of wars, crises, and other human catastrophes around the world? This course introduces students to enduring theoretical debates over the causes of conflict and cooperation globally and the challenges and opportunities facing policymakers trying to tackle these issues. The course applies core theories, concepts and debates within global and foreign policy to understand and address pressing global challenges including war and peace; human security and migration; as well as development and sustainability.
GFPL102
Global Order and Policy Structures: Power, Access, and Influence
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Cross-listed with: PLCY172.
Credit only granted for: GFPL102, PLCY288O or PLCY172.
Provides an overview of the key historical and contemporary forces and structures (e.g., the United Nations, decolonization, (de)globalization) defining the context within which global issues play out and foreign policy is conducted. Specific emphasis is placed on the legacy effects of prior policy choices, questions of which actor(s) have more or less influence in global and foreign policy decisions and why, and the importance of considering intended and unintended consequences of a given decision or initiative. This course will count in the new Global and Foreign Policy Major.
GFPL371
Foundations of Security, Conflict and Diplomacy
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Cross-listed with: PLCY371.
Credit only granted for: GFPL371 or PLCY371.
Introduces major concepts, debates and challenges in international security policy. Some of today's problems have existed in various forms for centuries, such as potential conflicts between great powers, violence by governments against their own people and by terrorist organizations, and the disruptive effects of powerful new technology. Some are more recent, such as nuclear deterrence and nonproliferation, humanitarian crises and human security. And others, including cyber security, drones and climate change, are the leading edge of future security challenges. Fundamental questions about how to make the world safer will be a major theme of this course.
Offered Jointly with GVPT368V.
GFPL388A
Special Topics in Global and Foreign Policy; Political Economy of Foreign Aid
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Restricted to GFPL majors. Offered jointly with GVPT404. Credit only granted for GFPL388A, GVPT404, or GVPT409R.
The world spends hundreds of billions of dollars on foreign aid every year. The effects of this aid spending are controversial. Research supports both pessimistic and optimistic views of foreign aid's effectiveness, with little consensus. Where does aid money go? What are the motivations of aid donors? Is foreign aid effective at achieving its goals? Why or why not? This course is designed to survey the promise and the challenges of foreign aid as a policy tool. The first half of the course will focus on the motivations and goals of foreign aid. We will consider various foreign aid donors, such as countries, institutions, and individuals, to understand the motivations behind and effects of foreign aid. We will create a typology of foreign aid agendas,motivations, and donors. The second half of the course will consider the challenges specific to foreign aid. This includes both technical challenges and political challenges. We will consider the strategies that aid donors and organizations have taken to try to overcome these challenges.
The world spends hundreds of billions of dollars on foreign aid every year. The effects of this aid spending are controversial. Research supports both pessimistic and optimistic views of foreign aid's effectiveness, with little consensus. Where does aid money go? What are the motivations of aid donors? Is foreign aid effective at achieving its goals? Why or why not? This course is designed to survey the promise and the challenges of foreign aid as a policy tool. The first half of the course will focus on the motivations and goals of foreign aid. We will consider various foreign aid donors, such as countries, institutions, and individuals, to understand the motivations behind and effects of foreign aid. We will create a typology of foreign aid agendas,motivations, and donors. The second half of the course will consider the challenges specific to foreign aid. This includes both technical challenges and political challenges. We will consider the strategies that aid donors and organizations have taken to try to overcome these challenges.
GFPL388B
Special Topics in Global and Foreign Policy; Conflict and Peace Processes
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Restricted to GFPL majors. Offered jointly with GVPT413. Credit only granted for GFPL388B, GVPT409A, or GVPT413. Completion of one of the following is recommended: GVPT200, GFPL100, GFPL102, GFPL371, PLCY288Q, PLCY288W, PLCY288J.
How do we conceptualize conflict? Why do armed actors fight and how do they fight? What are the ways in which conflict ends? This course focuses on the central concepts in peace and conflict research and the key theoretical assumptions on the causes, dynamics, and resolution of armed conflict. We begin by examining the root causes of interstate and intrastate conflicts. Close attention will be paid to identifying the armed actors and understanding how they strategically interact with eachother. We then turn to the various ways in which armed actors resolve their conflict and achieve peace. We will explore and assess theeffectivenessof bilateral and multilateral approaches of conflict management and the role of third-party actors such as international organizations, mediators, and peacekeepers in bringing about peace.
How do we conceptualize conflict? Why do armed actors fight and how do they fight? What are the ways in which conflict ends? This course focuses on the central concepts in peace and conflict research and the key theoretical assumptions on the causes, dynamics, and resolution of armed conflict. We begin by examining the root causes of interstate and intrastate conflicts. Close attention will be paid to identifying the armed actors and understanding how they strategically interact with eachother. We then turn to the various ways in which armed actors resolve their conflict and achieve peace. We will explore and assess theeffectivenessof bilateral and multilateral approaches of conflict management and the role of third-party actors such as international organizations, mediators, and peacekeepers in bringing about peace.
GFPL388C
Special Topics in Global and Foreign Policy; International Relations of East Asia
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Restricted to GFPL majors. Offered jointly with GVPT414. Credit only granted for GFPL388C, GVPT409E, or GVPT414.
An examination of international relations in East Asia, focusing mostly on Northeast Asia. The course will provide some background on the evolution of international politics in the region over the past several decades, and will examine several contemporary issues--including the North Korean nuclear issue, the relationship across the Taiwan Strait, and maritime disputes in the East and South China Seas--in depth.
An examination of international relations in East Asia, focusing mostly on Northeast Asia. The course will provide some background on the evolution of international politics in the region over the past several decades, and will examine several contemporary issues--including the North Korean nuclear issue, the relationship across the Taiwan Strait, and maritime disputes in the East and South China Seas--in depth.
GFPL390
Secrets, Spies, and The State: Introduction to the Intelligence Community
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Repeatable to 0 credit.
Cross-listed with: PLCY390.
Credit only granted for: PLCY388B or PLCY390 or GFPL390.
Formerly: PUAF388B.
This is an introduction to the history, structure, and practices of the US intelligence community (IC). This course will provide students with an understanding of the theory and practice of intelligence, including the intelligence cycle, past and present organization of the intelligence community, and future challenges facing intelligence professionals. The course will also examine the capabilities and limitations of the various intelligence collection disciplines, analytic methodologies, and the relationship between intelligence and policy.
Offered Jointly with GVPT368X.
GFPL490
Public Policy Challenges in Africa
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Repeatable to 0 credit.
Cross-listed with: PLCY490.
Credit only granted for: PLCY388V or PLCY490, GFPL490.
Formerly: PUAF388V, PLCY488V.
Additional information: Cross list with PLCY490.
Introduces major public policy challenges in Africa today and includes a brief review of African history from 1600 through the post-colonial period to provide critical background. Catalyzing economic growth, promoting democratic governance, and reducing armed conflict will be discussed. Also covered are the role of African diasporas and migration in national development, managing the continent's rapid urbanization, and improving service delivery in key areas such as health and education.
Offered Jointly with GVPT368Z and PLCY699L.
GFPL492
Science and Global Security
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Must have taken one of the following two-course physics sequences: PHYS131 and 132; PHYS141 and PHYS142; PHYS161 and PHYS260; or PHYS171 and PHYS272.
Restriction: Must have earned a minimum of 60 credits. Repeatable to 0 credit.
Cross-listed with: PLCY492, PHYS488P.
Jointly offered with: PHYS688, PLCY688.
Credit only granted for: PLCY488P, PHYS488P, PLCY492, GFPL492, PLCY688P, or PHYS688P..
Formerly: PLCY488P.
This course examines technologies of modern warfare and intelligence. Topics include the design, production, deployment, and effects of nuclear weapons; ballistic missiles and missile defense; bombers, cruise missiles, hypersonic weapons, and air defense; submarines and anti-submarine warfare; artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles; satellites and anti-satellite weapons; verification and intelligence technologies; and chemical, biological, and radiological weapons.
Flagship Institution of the University System of Maryland
University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
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