Robert G. McCloskey, professor of Government and Chairman of the Government Department, yesterday expressed regret over the scarcity of courses in the area of International Relations, but said there was little that could be done to remedy the situation this year.

The Department is offering only three courses in International Relations this year, and none is being given during the Fall term. In 1960-61 seven courses were offered-- four in the Fall and three in the Spring.

McCloskey explained that the Department, like the rest of the University, "operates on the principle of professional autonomy." The chairman has "no central control," he said, and if a professor doesn't want to give his course in a particular year, he doesn't have to.

McCloskey also maintained that blame for the lack of courses does not rest with the Kennedy Administration. Kennedy took only one man from the Government department, McCloskey said, and although McGeorge Bundy, former Dean of the Faculty, "was a serious loss," he taught only one course. That course, "The United States in World Politics," is not being given this year.

Faculty Not Available

Most members of the Department connected with International Relations just were not available for courses this year, McCloskey said. Although that he admitted that many students "would be inconvenienced," McCloskey said that he "does not expect any great hardships."

He pointed out that courses in the area of Comparative Government, like Emerson's Politics of Africa, "have a tinge of foreign relations to them" and may satisfy some students.

Henry A. Kissinger and Stanley H. Hoffman, associate proessors of Government, and Melvin Croan, instructor in Government, will teach the only courses offered in International Relations this Spring.

McCloskey said that it is too early to tell about the possibility for more courses in the field next year.