PHIL 3376 - Topics In Political Philosophy

Identical with Political Science 3376. Hours credit: 4. Prerequisite: junior standing.

POL 1101 - American Politics

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: 4.

POL 1102 - Political Theory

This is an introduction to political thought. We'll study the origins of important ideas, such as justice, freedom, equality, progress, and the rights of the individual, in the context of the great conflicts of human history, from Sun Tzu and Plato to our contemporaries. Hours: 4.

POL 1106 - Rights Of A Child

This course examines why violations of the most vulnerable continue to exist in countries from different regions of the world through issues such as children's bonded labor, involuntary participation in armed conflict and terrorism, forced marriage, sex-trafficking, and denied access to food, health care, and education. Through the lens of children's human rights, students will examine how attenuated aspects of failed and/or weak states affect the rights of children. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. (SS)

POL 1107 - 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: 4.

POL 1113 - International Relations

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: 4.

POL 1115 - 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: 4.

POL 1185 - Pol One Time Only

Hours credit: 4. One time only.

POL 1187 - Pol One Time Only

Hours credit: 4. One time only.

POL 2201 - Trafficking

The course explores aspects of interdependency between global and domestic politics through the lens of global trafficking issues including sex, marriage, drugs, minerals, money weapons, wildlife, cultural properties, organs, and others. The focus will be on how forces of globalization are shaping human lives and numerous state and non-state actors are setting global agenda. The course is open to all students. Those intending to major in global studies will learn about the options for their focus area. Hours: 4. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. (SS)

POL 2203 - Philosophy Of Law

This course focuses on questions about the law dealing with issues like truth, fairness, justice, and autonomy in a free society. We'll explore debates about criminal justice and punishment; unconscionable contracts; exploitation; economic efficiency; class, race, gender, sexuality and other forms of inequality; and the pursuit of civil and political rights. Hours: 4. Prerequisite: POL 1102 or permission of the instructor. (HE)

POL 2205 - Survey World Geo

This course encompasses a study of geography throughout the major regions of the world. Attention is given to the physical processes that shape the surface of the earth and to the relationship between human activity and the physical environment. In addition, the course will explore how political forces influence the division and control of the earth's resources. Maps, along with other geographic representations, tools, and techniques, will be used to demonstrate critical analysis of techniques for representation and presentation of information. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of instructor. Identical with POL 2205. (CI)

POL 2211 - Elections And Public Opinion

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: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Offered alternate years.

POL 2220 - 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 (NMUN) conference. Only students selected in late fall for the NMUN Conference can enroll in the course and participate in the NMUN conference. All conference participants must be enrolled in the course for full credit during the semester of the conference. Hours credit: 4. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit when topic differs up to a maximum of 12 hours.

POL 2222 - 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: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor.

POL 2225 - Contemp Issues Global Health

The course explores sources of threats to global health and illustrates why health disparities exist. In the first part of the course, students will be introduced to global health principles, key measures, and concepts. This will be followed by examinations of health consequences especially among vulnerable populations caused by neo-colonialism, poverty, racism, cultural belief and practice, climate change, conflict, environmental degradation, and pollutions. In the second half of the course, we will explore ways to achieve global health equity and justice by studying successful regional cases of interventions, new technology and medicine, innovative health programs, and expanding access to health care. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or permission of instructor. Alternate years. (HE, SS)

POL 2231 - Research Methods In Political Science

This course familiarizes students with a variety of techniques for the investigation of political problems. The first half of the semester is an exploration of how to ask and answer social science questions. In the second half of the course students gain hands-on experience using statistical software to investigate and describe political problems. No prior familiarity with statistics is assumed. Hours credit: 4. A student may receive credit for two of these courses: ECON 2227, MATH 2227, POL 2231, PSYC 2227 or SOC 3395. Alternate years.

POL 2235 - Us Foreign Policy

This course examines the historical and contemporary US foreign policy issues and the process in which foreign policy is made and implemented. We examine 1) how international and domestic politics impact US foreign policy, 2) the available tools of foreign policy and their effectiveness, and 3) the major contemporary and historical themes in US foreign policy with a focus on national security issues. Fall 2022, Session 2, alternate years. Credits: 4. (SS)

POL 2245 - Nuclear Strategy

An examination of the causes and consequences of nuclear proliferation drawing on both academic theory and historial evidence. The course examines moral questions surrounding nuclear technology, why countries acquire nuclear weapons, and what are the effects of nuclear proliferation on national and international security. We will also examine nuclear strategy, explanations for the non-use of nuclear weapons, and case studies of different nuclear programs. Hours credit: 4. Prerequisite: POL 1133 or sophomore standing.

POL 2265 - International Law

This course introduces students to the major elements of international public law. We begin with the sources and functions of international law. We then cover the effects of international law and non/compliance with international law. We examine several substantive areas of international law, such as human rights law and law of war. The course also includes an international law simulation. Credit hours: 4. Offered in alternate years. (SS, WI)

POL 2274 - Pol One Time Only

Hours credit: 4. One time only.

POL 2285 - Pol One Time Only

Hours credit: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor. One time only.

POL 2286 - Pol One Time Only

Hours credit: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor. One time only.

POL 2287 - Pol One Time Only

Hours credit: 4. Prerequisite: POL 1113 or sophomore standing. One time only.

POL 2288 - Pol One Time Only

Hours credit: 4. One time only.

POL 3310 - Civics And Economics

Students will examine the roles citizens play in U.S. politics and government, and the basic economic principles that underlie the U.S. market economy. Students will investigate the processes by which decisions are made in the American market economy and explain the government's role in it. Students study how patriotism, respect for the law, willingness to perform public service, and a sense of civic duty facilitate thoughtful and effective active participation in the civic life of an increasingly diverse democratic society. This course is open to all students and required of students seeking elementary education licensure or students seeking the history/social science teaching licensure. Course content maps to the Virginia Standards of Learning. Identical with I ST 3310. Credit Hours: 4.

POL 3325 - Constitutional Law

A study of the constitutional politics of the United States, focusing on federalism, the separation of powers, and civil rights and liberties. We'll read Supreme Court decisions and situate them in their political, economic, and cultural context to explore the relative powers of American political institutions. Hours: 4. Prerequisite: POL 1101 or permission of the instructor.

POL 3326 - Public Policy Analysis

This is an entry-level course on federal domestic policy making in the United States. In the first half of the course students will discuss the theory of public policy analysis, focusing on the influence of institutional norms and rules, interest groups, and the public. The second half of the course will consist of a series of case studies of domestic policy issues. Topics may include social security, health care, employment discrimination, criminal justice, and/or anti-poverty policy. Students will pay particular attention to how individuals and institutions interpret policy questions differently as a result of their position in society. Hours credit: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor. Alternate years.

POL 3332 - Global Politics Of Extremism

Surveys why extremism emerges in societies and transcends borders. Through case studies, students will explore topics including psychology of terrorism, gendered violence, rhetoric of terror, recruitment and use of social networks, cyber terrorism, and the political economy of terrorism. This will be followed by a section on deradicalization and disengagement of extremist actors and groups. Hours credit: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor.

POL 3365 - War And Peace

An in-depth exploration of the international system, how it evolved and currently operates. We are primarily concerned with the causes of international conflict, international cooperation, and the uses of power. The course examines conflict in the international system, how cooperation, institutions, and domestic politics affect conflict, and current issues in international security. Current topics include terrorism, nuclear proliferation, the environment, culture, and human security. Hours credit: 4. Prerequisites: POL 1113 or sophomore standing.

POL 3372 - Freedom & Equality

This is an introduction to political thought. We'll study the origins of important ideas, such as justice, freedom, equality, progress, and the rights of the individual, in the context of the great conflicts of human history, from Sun Tzu and Plato to our contemporaries. Hours: 4.

POL 3374 - Contemp Pol Theory

In this course we'll study the political conflicts of our world through the works of important political theorists of the past 50 years. We'll explore major thinkers in contemporary debates about capitalism, freedom, tolerance, national identity, power, community, representation, and human nature. Hours: 4. Prerequisite: POL 1102 or permission of the instructor.

POL 3386 - Pol One Time Only

Hours credit: 4. One time only.

POL 3387 - Pol One Time Only

Hours credit: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor. One time only.

POL 3388 - Pol One Time Only

Hours credit: 4. Prerequisite: POL 1113 or sophomore standing. One time only.

POL 3390 - Independent Study

POL 4489 - Independent Study

POL 4493 - Global St Poli Sci Seminar

The first course in the senior program sequence. The seminar includes the discussion of current issues in U.S. politics and global studies and current research fields with a focus on research design. Students will have weekly assignments and identify a research problem they will undertake. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: Permission of department.

POL 4494 - 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: 4. Prerequisite: senior standing.

POL 4495 - Global St Poli Sci Capstone

The second course in the senior program sequence. The capstone completes the student's course of study in the major. 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 is required. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: POL 4493.

POL 4497H - Honors In The Major

POL 4498H - Honors In The Major