The nonplanar orientational dynamics of polymer liquid crystals is inv
estigated using a continuum theory based on Hamiltonian mechanics. The
initial out-of-plane orientation is generated through the application
of a magnetic field which naturally appears in the Hamiltonian of the
system. Our analysis begins at the instant the magnetic field is turn
ed off and the flow is started. It is found that the orientational pat
tern is varied and rich in transitions. The ''kayaking'' states and th
e shear-plane tumbling states are found to be the dominant attractors
for the majority of the parameter space. Also, this theory has an inbu
ilt nonaffine parameter which is found to have an important effect on
the nature of the final stable orientations. (C) 1996 Society of Rheol
ogy.