Political Science Curriculum
Political science is a wide ranging discipline composed of many separate fields and specializations at the local, national and international levels.
What holds all the separate fields together is a common interest in questions regarding the following governmental and international institutions and their sources of power, political conflict and its resolution, political mechanisms for defining and achieving justice, and the origins and results of policy choices at the national and international level, among other things.
The department addresses these and other issues through a variety of courses in American government, public policy and administration, comparative government and international relations.
Given the diversity of interests within the field, majors will work with their advisor to tailor their program to their particular interest. Most are encouraged to undertake internships or engage in other experiences to bolster their understanding of political processes.
Majors are encouraged to take courses outside the Department that support their academic interests and/or their career goals. Those with a very strong interest in international politics and issues might want to consider the Global Studies major.
Course Offerings
Below is a list of available courses offered by the Political Science Department. Consult the Registrar’s Office and the College Catalog for registration information.
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. Credit hours: 4. (SS)
POL 1102 - Political Theory
This is an introduction to political thought. We will 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. Credit hours: 4. (HE)
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. Credit hours: 4. (HE)
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. Credit hours: 4. (SS)
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. Credit hours: 4. (CI)
POL 1128 - Legal & Forensic Terminology
This course focuses on the history and structure of words of the majority of technical terms in medicine, the sciences, law, and beyond that use Greek and Latin roots as their building blocks. Students will learn elements of word formation (prefixes, suffixes, and bases) to develop word-analytical techniques and build vocabulary and recognition. By the end of the course, students will build a working vocabulary specific to professions in law and justice by choosing the units most relevant to their disciplines. Emphasis on knowledge of terms regularly in use in the legal system and related fields, along with command of roots, prefixes, and suffixes that will allow students to interpret new terms. Does not count towards the Political Science major. Identical with CLAS 1128. Credit hours: 4. (HE)
POL 1185 - Pol One Time Only
Credit hours: 4. One time only.
POL 1187 - Pol One Time Only
Credit hours: 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. Credit 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 will 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. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: POL 1102 or permission of 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. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing.
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. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit when topic differs up to a maximum of twelve hours. (CI)
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. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of instructor. (HE, SS)
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 session 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. Credit hours: 4. A student may receive credit for two these courses: ECON 2227, MATH 2227, POL 2231, PSYC 2227, or SOC 3395. (QR)
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. Credit hours: 4. (SS)
POL 2245 - Nuclear Strategy
An examination of the causes and consequences of nuclear proliferation drawing on both academic theory and historical 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 program. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisites: POL 1113 or sophomore standing. (SS)
POL 2250 - Dictators And Their Demise
This course surveys ways and means of how dictators come to power and lose power. How do dictators get people to cheer and die for them despite their brutal means and catastrophic consequences? How do they motivate the public and silence opponents? Issues explore but not limited to the use of sports, arts, literature, and fashion in propaganda, mythmaking, radical reform, rhetoric of terror and utopia, and the role of violence and ideology. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. (HE,SS)
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
Credit hours: 4. One time only.
POL 2285 - Pol One Time Only
Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor. One time only.
POL 2286 - Pol One Time Only
Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor. One time only.
POL 2287 - Pol One Time Only
Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: POL 1113 or sophomore standing. One time only.
POL 2288 - Pol One Time Only
Credit hours: 4. One time only.
POL 2290 - Independent Study
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 will read Supreme Court decisions and situate them in their political, economic, and cultural context to explore the relative powers of American political institutions. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: POL 1101 or permission of instructor.
POL 3326 - Public Policy Analysis
This is an advanced 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. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of instructor.
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. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of instructor. (SS)
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. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisites: POL 1113 or sophomore standing.
POL 3372 - Freedom & Equality
A study of the rise of the two most powerful ideas in human history: freedom and equality. We'll discuss how the rise of these two ideas and battles over their meanings created our world, including questions like: when is revolution justified, what can't governments order citizens to do, and what rights do citizens and human beings have, if any? Prerequisite: POL 102 or permission of instructor. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: POL 1102 or permission of instructor. (HE, WI)
POL 3374 - Contemp Pol Theory
In this course we will study the political conflicts of our world through the works of important political theorists of the past 50 years. We will explore major thinkers in contemporary debates about capitalism, freedom, tolerance, national identity, power, community, representation, and human nature. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: POL 1102 or permission of instructor.
POL 3386 - Pol One Time Only
Credit hours: 4. One time only.
POL 3387 - Pol One Time Only
Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor. One time only.
POL 3388 - Pol One Time Only
Credit hours: 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. Credit hours: 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.
