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Students pursuing graduate study in political theory at UVA participate in a vibrant, diverse and well-regarded community of scholars dedicated to critical reflection on politics. We strive to preserve a pluralistic ethos; no one theoretical paradigm dominates the program, and students are exposed to a wide range of approaches to the subject. We encourage students to engage with other subfields of political science and cross disciplinary boundaries.

Our students have ample opportunities for intellectual development outside of their regular coursework, including independent study courses with faculty members, informal reading groups, a graduate development seminar in which students present their work and offer each other feedback, an annual graduate student conference, and regular “PT lunches” at which faculty and graduate students discuss students’ earlier-stage work in progress. Graduate students also attend our political theory colloquium, at which external speakers, faculty members and graduate students present their research. Other speaker series that PT students regularly attend include the PPL colloquium, the Egger lecture series, the legal theory workshop, and events at the Carter G. Woodson Institute for African-American and African Studies.