Course Listing
Below is a list of available courses offered by the Political Studies Department. Consult the Registrar’s Office and the College Catalog for registration information.
POL 101 - THE AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEM
An examination of the American political system through an analysis of the political culture, Constitution, party and interest group structure, governmental institutions, and the decision-making process in the United States.
Hours credit: 3.
POL 105 - COMPARATIVE DEMOCRACIES
Provides students with an understanding of core concepts and theories in comparative politics. Through an examination of political institutions, actors/interest groups, and political culture, the course will address various questions about democracy. Students will also explore fundamental challenges these countries face such as economic development, ethnic conflict, political violence, treatment of minorities, and immigration.
Hours credit: 3.
POL 107 - PEACE & CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Introduces students to different ways of understanding peace, violence, and war and of analyzing the war culture which encourages aggression, violence, and injustice in our immediate and global communities. Toward the goal of social and political change, students will be challenged to examine various approaches to peacemaking and peacebuilding, including nonviolence, peace education, and reconciliation.
Hours credit: 3.
POL 113 - WORLD POLITICS AND ORGANIZATION
Surveys the dominant international relations theories and contemporary forces that shape human, national, and global security. Special attention is given to new players, such as intergovernmental organizations, nongovernmental actors, and civil society, and issues, such as terrorism and the global justice movement, that are giving new shape to the global political environment.
Hours credit: 3.
POL 115 - INTRO EAST ASIAN POLITICS AND CULTURE
An introduction to the societies and politics of East Asia with the focus on Japan, China, and Korea. Topics covered will include gender and cultural issues, immigration, minority politics, and nationalism.
Hours Credit: 3.
POL 208 - THE CONGRESS
An examination of the role of Congress in national politics with emphasis on congressional elections, the behavior of legislators, the committee and leadership structure, and congressional reform, and congressional relations with the president.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Offered alternate years.
POL 210 - THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY
A study of the presidency, with emphasis on the President's relations with the public and Congress, and factors that make for the success or failure of Presidents.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Offered alternate years.
POL 211 - POLITICAL PARTIES, ELECTIONS AND PUB OP
An examination of the interaction of political parties and public opinion in electoral politics in the U.S. Topics will include: the history and current status of political parties; the changing nature of elections; and trends in public opinion. This course is schedule to coincide with a national election which will be used as a case study.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Offered alternate years.
POL 215 - HUMAN RIGHTS LATIN AMERICAN CONTEXT
Examines the human rights landscape across contemporary Latin America. Themes include reconciliation following mass atrocity, economic versus political rights, and new social movements that prod governments to follow their human rights obligations. The unique role of the United States and free trade agreements is worked into the analysis of hemispheric human rights patterns. Particular focus is given to Chile, Guatemala, Cuba, and Venezuela.
Hours credit: 3.
POL 220 - GLOBAL ISSUES AT UNITED NATIONS
Covers the basics of the UN system, including its history, structures, and documentation system. Heavy emphasis is placed on writing, research, speaking, and collaboration skills. The class will undertake a parallel study of a specific country in conjunction with the spring National Model United Nations conference. Students wishing to participate in the conference must take the class for full credit during the same semester as the conference in order to be eligible.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit when topic differs up to a maximum of 9 hours.
POL 222 - GENDER POLITICS IN ASIA
Surveys the ways gender is experienced by women in Asia. Issues covered include sexual and reproductive decision making, domestic violence, human trafficking, son preference, dowry, and honor killing drawn from Asia. The class will also learn how gender issues are treated in their societies and politics and explore how different actors seek solutions to these issues in the context of global politics.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor.
POL 224 - POLITICS OF THE MIDDLE EAST
This course will focus on links between the past and the present-day situation. The effects of colonialism, the Arab identity, the role of Islam and its politicization, gender issues, policy influences of the former Soviet Union, U.S. foreign policy, the politics of oil, the Iranian Revolution and its impact in the region, and the question of Israel-Palestine are some of the topics covered in this course.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor.
POL 239 - GLOBAL TO LOCAL STUDIES
Surveys issues, such health and food security, at the global and local levels of analysis. Students intending to major in global studies learn about the options for the focus area, and the class includes a service learning project that involves local leaders and contributes to the community in mutually beneficial ways.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: POL 113R.
POL 323 - CONSTITUTIONAL LAW & POLITICS
A study of the role of the Supreme Court in describing the powers of government and in defining the civil liberties guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. An emphasis is placed on freedom of expression and religion.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: junior standing.
POL 324 - CIVIL RIGHTS
An examination of the Constitutional and statutory basis for the rights of minorities and women. The readings consist mostly of Supreme Court opinions, supplemented with readings about civil rights movements and political and policy issues raised by the legal decisions.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: junior standing. Offered alternate years.
POL 328 - ETHNIC & POLITICAL CONFLICTS IN ASIA
This is an in-depth analysis of the causes, escalation, and resolution of ethnic and political conflicts within and between communities, societies, ethnic groups, and states in Asia. The class will examine various explanations of conflicts by analyzing the political implications of nationalism, race, ethnicity, and religion and explore ways to prevent, manage, and/or resolve conflicts.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of the instructor.
POL 330 - INTERNATIONAL LAW AND GLOBAL GOVERNANCE
A study of the principles and practices of international law and its major issue areas, including state responsibility, international versus. domestic legal systems, and trends in universal jurisdiction. The course covers contemporary developments, such as the International Criminal Court, ad hoc war crimes tribunals, and post-9/11 debates governing the rules of torture. Later in the course, students simulate an international court on a topic of global concern.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: sophomore standing.
POL 376 - TOPICS IN POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
An examination of themes in Western political philosophy relying on the works of philosophers from the classical through the modern era. Topics will vary from year to year and will include themes such as: justice, equality, liberty, and democracy. Identical with Philosophy 376.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: junior standing.
POL 390 - INDEPENDENT STUDY
POL 489 - INDEPENDENT STUDY
POL 494 - SENIOR RESEARCH
Each student will work on a research problem chosen in consultation with departmental faculty. A final paper embodying original research in an area of politics will be required.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: senior standing.
POL 495 - SEMINAR
A discussion of current issues in U.S. world politics combined with a major research paper.
Hours credit: 3. Prerequisite: permission of the Department. Required of all political science majors.
POL 496 - GLOBAL STUDIES CAPSTONE
Completes the student's course of study in the major. In addition to doing weekly assignments, each student undertakes a capstone project that integrates coursework done in the focus area and facilitates one class discussion on the topic. Students have the option of presenting their research projects at the Virginia Social Science Association spring conference.
Hours credit: 3.
POL 497H - DEPARTMENTAL HONORS
POL 498H - DEPARTMENTAL HONORS
