Course Offerings
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- Fall 2024
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Fall 2024▲
See complete information about these courses in the course offerings database. For more information about a specific course, including course type, schedule and location, click on its title.
American National Government
POL 100 - Harris, Rebecca C.
A study of the constitutional origins and historical development of the national government with special attention to Congress, the presidency, the judiciary, and the role of political parties, interest groups, and the media in the policy process.
Introduction to Global Politics
POL 105 - Rush, Mark E.
A survey of the comparative study of national and international politics and the interaction between the two. Topics may include power relations among and within states, changes in the conduct of international affairs and conflict resolution, contrasting ideas about democracy, economic development, justice, globalization, terrorism, causes and alternatives to war, social movements and the role of the nation-state.
Introduction to Global Politics
POL 105 - LeBlanc, Robin M.
A survey of the comparative study of national and international politics and the interaction between the two. Topics may include power relations among and within states, changes in the conduct of international affairs and conflict resolution, contrasting ideas about democracy, economic development, justice, globalization, terrorism, causes and alternatives to war, social movements and the role of the nation-state.
Introduction to Global Politics
POL 105 - Cantey, Joseph M. (Seth)
A survey of the comparative study of national and international politics and the interaction between the two. Topics may include power relations among and within states, changes in the conduct of international affairs and conflict resolution, contrasting ideas about democracy, economic development, justice, globalization, terrorism, causes and alternatives to war, social movements and the role of the nation-state.
Introduction to Political Philosophy
POL 111 - Gray, Stuart J. (Stu)
An introduction to some of the perennial themes of politics, such as the relationship between human nature and political institutions, individual freedom and community, private conscience and civic virtue, the claims of reason and faith, the nature of law, obligation, and rights, among others. Our inquiry is guided by selections from influential works in the history of political thought, ancient, modern and contemporary, as well as plays, dialogues, comedies, tragedies, novels, and films. Consult with instructor for specific reading assignments and course requirements.
Introduction to Political Philosophy
POL 111 - Morel, Lucas E.
An introduction to some of the perennial themes of politics, such as the relationship between human nature and political institutions, individual freedom and community, private conscience and civic virtue, the claims of reason and faith, the nature of law, obligation, and rights, among others. Our inquiry is guided by selections from influential works in the history of political thought, ancient, modern and contemporary, as well as plays, dialogues, comedies, tragedies, novels, and films. Consult with instructor for specific reading assignments and course requirements.
FS: First-Year Seminar: Martin Luther King, Jr.
POL 180B - Morel, Lucas E.
This course will examine the political thought of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Students will engage in close reading of King’s speeches, sermons, and essays to understand his theory and practice of nonviolent activism and his conception of the American Dream as it relates to “the beloved community” and what he considered the global ills of racism, poverty, and militarism. Students will also consider the role of women in the modern Civil Rights Movement (e.g., Ella Baker, Rosa Parks, Diane Nash, and Fannie Lou Hamer), as well as contemporary alternatives to his approach to the Civil Rights struggle, including Malcolm X, Black Power, the Rev. Joseph H. Jackson, and the NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund (led by Thurgood Marshall).
Applied Statistics
POL 202 - Puemape, Felix
Not open to students with credit for BUS 202, ECON 202, or INTR 202. An examination of the principal applications of statistics to allow students to develop a working knowledge and understanding of applied statistics in the social sciences (politics, sociology, and economics), and accounting and business. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability, estimation, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis
State and Local Government
POL 203 - Finch, Kevin D.
An introduction to the structures and functions of United States subnational governments, with particular emphasis on the policy-making process and on the relationships between policy makers and the public. Computer-assisted analysis of survey-research data is included.
Public Policy
POL 232 - Harris, Rebecca C.
Introduction to public policy formation and implementation, decision making in government, the concepts and techniques of policy analysis, and ethical analysis of policy. Policy issues such as education, immigration, and public health are used as illustrations.
The American Supreme Court and Constitutional Law
POL 236 - Rush, Mark E.
A survey of the development of American constitutional law and a study of the role of the Supreme Court as both a political institution and principal expositor of the Constitution.
Latin American Politics
POL 247 - Puemape, Felix
This course focuses on Latin American politics during the 20th and 21st centuries. Major topics include: democracy and authoritarianism; representation and power; populism, socialism, and neoliberalism; and economic development and inequality. The course places particular emphasis on Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Venezuela, Peru, and Cuba. In addition, the course examines political relations between the United States and Latin America.
Special Topics in American Politics: Campaigns and Elections
POL 295J - Virgin, Sheahan G.
Free, fair, and frequent elections, as well as the campaigns designed to win them, are the lifeblood of representative democracy. In the U.S., we utilize winner-take-all rules to elect our national leaders, a process known to reinforce and exacerbate two-party, adversarial politics. Deemphasizing the “how-to-win-an-election” focus typical of this kind of course, students will instead critically engage deeper, weightier questions: What is a just electoral process? Are the U.S.’s elections (compared both to theory and to the reality of other countries’ systems) sufficiently democratic? Must losers consent to their defeat? Should an election ban anti-pluralist or anti-system candidates? Topics include: party nominations, the Electoral College, campaign strategy, voter access, and institutional reform.
Special Topics in American Politics: Fines and Fees
POL 295K - Jones, Adrienne
Monetary sanctions are a consequential yet understudied aspect of the criminal legal system. While these fines, fees, and other costs are often marketed as “non-punitive”, research finds monetary sanctions can have serious consequences for those with limited financial means. This discussion-based course introduces students to features of the American system of monetary sanctions. Students explore the origins of monetary sanctions, the collateral consequences, or negative effects, individuals experience due to nonpayment and possibilities and limitations of public policy as a tool to alleviate the burden of these financial penalties. Drawing on a variety of sources- academic readings, policy reports, social media posts, etc.- students are encouraged to draw connections among course materials and themes of punishment, inequality, and justice.
Topic: Contemporary Chinese Politics
POL 296E - Wang, Yicheng (Clyde)
This course will examine the development of the Chinese state and society in contemporary China, especially since the 1990s. Key questions to be studied include: What are the key features and principles of contemporary Chinese politics? What are the main challenges facing China’s political system? How has the political authority responded? How are these responses received by the society? What is the relationship between economic development and political transformation? How does Chinese state politics impact different social groups and/or social actors? What are the roles of different social actors in Chinese politics? What are their relationships with the political authority/authorities? The course will approach these questions by weaving historical facts and analytical explanations together and ask questions concerning the nature of the party-state, basic principles of state-society interactions, and finally, how these principles have changed or not changed over the three decades and more.
Seminar in Global Politics: Marxism and World Politics
POL 380E - Wang, Yicheng (Clyde)
This course aims to look at how this complex set of ideas that are called Marxism has affected the trajectory of world politics. In this course, we will examine the origins, developments, and implications of Marxism, as well as its use and misuse in state politics. The course will combine the writing of Marxist thinkers from Marx himself to 20th-Century neo-Marxist scholars with the political developments in socialist states and socialist movements. We try to solve important puzzles such as: What is the relationship between the ideal free society imagined by Marx and the harsh reality of the Soviet Union and China? Is the connection inevitable? Why do left-wing parties today abandon the Marxist banner, and should they do that? Is there another way to imagine Marxism? We will also discuss the stigmatization and romanticization of Marxism in today's political context.
Seminar in Middle Eastern Politics
POL 384 - Cantey, Joseph M. (Seth)
This course examines contemporary politics in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Topics include the role of colonial legacies in state formation, the region's democratic deficit, nationalism, sectarianism, and the influence of religion in politics. We explore inter- and intrastate conflict, including the use of terrorism, economic development and underdevelopment, and the recent Arab uprisings (commonly referred to as the Arab Spring). Throughout, we consider why the Middle East attracts as much attention from policymakers and scholars as it does, how analysts have studied the region across time and space, and why understanding different cultural perspectives is critical to understanding the region.
Poli-Wood: Indian Epics, Myth, and Cinema as Political Philosophy
POL 386 - Gray, Stuart J. (Stu)
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the two major Classical Indian (Hindu) epics, Mahabharata and Ramayana, while reading them as works of political thought with relevance to both modern Indian politics and contemporary cinematic culture. This class begins by exploring the epics' mythological, theological, and political content. In the second part of the course we examine how the epics, along with their major themes and characters, have been deployed for various Indian nationalist causes in the 20th and 21st centuries. Finally, the third part of the course examines two globally popular Indian action/drama films, which represent major characters, themes, and ideology drawn from the epics. In this part of the course we consider how these filmic representations exhibit political ideas that seek to impact a contemporary audience and instantiate a Hindu nationalist ethos, further considering how a politicized entertainment industry may impact the world's largest democratic nation.
Spring 2024▲
See complete information about these courses in the course offerings database. For more information about a specific course, including course type, schedule and location, click on its title.
Black Mirror
POL 271 - Gray, Stuart J. (Stu)
Through a critical engagement with the television series "Black Mirror", this course is intended to help students understand and think critically about how various technologies are actively shaping what it means - and what it might mean in the future - to be human, live a good life, and act as a socio-political agent. We examine some of the central questions and themes presented in each episode through supplementary readings drawn from various fields, including political philosophy, literature, science fiction, and journalism. Topics include technology's impact on romantic and family relationships, social surveillance and punishment, and political leadership, among others.
Intelligence in Practice
POL 276 - Cantey, Joseph M. (Seth)
An examination of the responsibilities of, and challenges faced by, the U.S. intelligence community (IC). Drawing on current literature and case studies, topics include the history and evolution of the IC, the intelligence cycle, ethical and moral issues, oversight and accountability, covert action, and intelligence reform. Not open to those who have already taken POL 278 and precludes future enrollment in POL 278.
Supervised Study Abroad: Democratic Community in Bologna
POL 288A - LeBlanc, Robin M.
This course examines the nature of civic life in contemporary Italy, primarily through field study in Bologna. Bologna has a long tradition of civic activism. In the first four decades after World War II, with a remarkable combination of democratically elected Communist Party governments and industrial development, Bologna became one of the richest cities in all of Italy, a shining proof of the success of democracy in a once-fascist nation. Today Bologna faces challenges including Italy's long-term economic stagnation, the aging of the native Italian population, the arrival of new immigrant populations, the effects of the global climate crisis, and an ever-more intense reliance on the global tourism economy. Focusing on four themes-food, shelter, space, and voice-our class will seek an understanding of how complex global and local conditions shape the practice of democracy in Bologna. Doing their own fieldwork, students will map individually chosen aspects of community life in the city. A brief trip to Venice will provide a fascinating case for comparing the pressures of tourism, the climate, and the housing crisis on city life.
Spring-Term Topics in Public Policy: Food Policy
POL 294A - Harris, Rebecca C.
Students with interest in or majoring in politics, economics, business, environmental studies, public health, or poverty are encouraged to take the course. An introduction to the institutions and politics of U.S. food, nutrition, and farm policy. Major considerations include farm and food-policy history, USDA policy tools, and political issues. Specific topics focus on the farm bill (economics and conservation), poverty and nutrition programs, and food-industry regulation. Students engage in a community-based research project working with Rockbridge County Extension Office on current nutrition programming.
Special Topics in American Politics: Rhetoric in American Politics
POL 295H - Uzzell, Lynn E.
This course explores the function and importance of rhetoric within American politics. It will consider the purpose of rhetoric in a republican form of government; how the structure of America’s Constitution was meant to foster rhetoric and deliberation; and how technological developments – such as television and the internet – have changed the meaning or use of rhetoric in America. Students will also study how Aristotle classified and critiqued the various kinds of speeches, and that understanding will inform our examination of some of the most important political oratory in American history. The course will be conducted in a seminar setting, which will combine both a lecture and a discussion format.
Special Topics in Global Politics: Ukraine-Russia
POL 296D - Yalowitz, Kenneth / Morel, Lucas E.
This course will begin with an examination of the primary tools of diplomacy and the conflicts following the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union. The principal case study is the current Russia-Ukraine war and the diplomatic, political, economic, military and international elements. The impact of the Gaza-Israel war on the Ukraine conflict will be covered. The course will conclude with a diplomatic simulation exercise in which students will hone diplomatic skills in dealing with crises.
Special Topics in Global Politics: China: Films, Popular Culture, and Ideology
POL 296F - Wang, Yicheng (Clyde)
This course will look at the ideology and politics of China from a perspective of popular culture. Through examining Chinese films, cultural events (such as the New Year Galas of China Central Television), and the circulation of viral videos on Chinese social media, the course studies the relationship between popular culture, everyday discourses, and the state. Key questions asked in the course include: How is contemporary Chinese ideology, especially nationalism, expressed in popular cultural works? How is popular culture influenced by the state’s official discourse and propaganda? How is the expression in popular culture different from the official discourse?
Washington Term Program
POL 466 - Alexander, Brian N.
The Washington Term Program aims to enlarge students' understanding of national politics and governance. Combining academic study with practical experience in the setting of a government office, think tank, or other organization in Washington, it affords deeper insight into the processes and problems of government at the national level. A member of the politics faculty is the resident director, supervising students enrolled in this program while they are in Washington, D.C. Competitive selection process each October.
Winter 2024▲
See complete information about these courses in the course offerings database. For more information about a specific course, including course type, schedule and location, click on its title.
American National Government
POL 100 - Uzzell, Lynn E.
A study of the constitutional origins and historical development of the national government with special attention to Congress, the presidency, the judiciary, and the role of political parties, interest groups, and the media in the policy process.
American National Government
POL 100 - Alexander, Brian N.
A study of the constitutional origins and historical development of the national government with special attention to Congress, the presidency, the judiciary, and the role of political parties, interest groups, and the media in the policy process.
Introduction to Global Politics
POL 105 - Wang, Yicheng (Clyde)
A survey of the comparative study of national and international politics and the interaction between the two. Topics may include power relations among and within states, changes in the conduct of international affairs and conflict resolution, contrasting ideas about democracy, economic development, justice, globalization, terrorism, causes and alternatives to war, social movements and the role of the nation-state.
Introduction to Global Politics
POL 105 - Cantey, Joseph M. (Seth)
A survey of the comparative study of national and international politics and the interaction between the two. Topics may include power relations among and within states, changes in the conduct of international affairs and conflict resolution, contrasting ideas about democracy, economic development, justice, globalization, terrorism, causes and alternatives to war, social movements and the role of the nation-state.
Introduction to Political Philosophy
POL 111 - Gray, Stuart J. (Stu)
An introduction to some of the perennial themes of politics, such as the relationship between human nature and political institutions, individual freedom and community, private conscience and civic virtue, the claims of reason and faith, the nature of law, obligation, and rights, among others. Our inquiry is guided by selections from influential works in the history of political thought, ancient, modern and contemporary, as well as plays, dialogues, comedies, tragedies, novels, and films. Consult with instructor for specific reading assignments and course requirements.
Introduction to Political Philosophy
POL 111 - Morel, Lucas E.
An introduction to some of the perennial themes of politics, such as the relationship between human nature and political institutions, individual freedom and community, private conscience and civic virtue, the claims of reason and faith, the nature of law, obligation, and rights, among others. Our inquiry is guided by selections from influential works in the history of political thought, ancient, modern and contemporary, as well as plays, dialogues, comedies, tragedies, novels, and films. Consult with instructor for specific reading assignments and course requirements.
Environmental Policy and Law
POL 233 - Harris, Rebecca C.
A study of major environmental laws and the history of their enactment and implementation. Discusses different theoretical approaches from law, ethics, politics, and economics. Reviews significant case law and the legal context. Emphasis is on domestic policy with some attention to international law and treaties.
POL245-01/SOAN245-01 European Politics and Society
POL 245 - Jasiewicz, Krzysztof
A comparative analysis of European political systems and social institutions. The course covers the established democracies of western and northern Europe, the new democracies of southern and east-central Europe, and the post-Communist regimes in eastern and southeastern Europe. Mechanisms of European integration are also discussed with attention focused on institutions such as European Union, NATO, OSCE, and Council of Europe.
Race and Equality
POL 250 - Morel, Lucas E.
A study of important black figures in American political thought. The course focuses on the intellectual history of black Americans but also considers contemporary social science and public policies dealing with race in America.
Gender and Politics
POL 255 - LeBlanc, Robin M.
This course investigates the gendered terms under which women and men participate in political life. Attention is given to the causes of men's and women's different patterns of participation in politics, to processes that are likely to decrease the inequalities between men's and women's political power, and the processes by which society's gender expectations shape electoral and institutional politics. The different effects of gender on the practice of politics in different nations are compared, with a special emphasis placed on advanced industrial democracies.
Modern Political Philosophy
POL 266 - Gray, Stuart J. (Stu)
An examination of some of the central questions and concerns of modern political philosophy. The course is not restricted to a historical period but extends to modern themes within contemporary culture. A mixture of plays, novels, epics, dialogues, treatises, and films are used. Authors, texts, and themes vary from year to year.
Special Topics in in American Politics: Creating the U.S. Constitution
POL 295C - Uzzell, Lynn E.
This course both examines and reenacts the creation of the U.S. Constitution. Students will first study the historic debates of the 1787 Convention, focusing on both the theoretical and the pragmatic arguments that framed the structure of our government. Later, in a role-playing game, each student will be assigned an individual character from the historic event, and the class will convene its own 1787 Convention. Once the instruction portion of the course is complete, the game begins and the students take over. Students will frame a constitution through persuasion, compromise, private deals, and parliamentary procedure. By the end of the class, the students/ delegates will vote on a Constitution of their own devising. Outcomes often vary from the actual history, but the historical grounding of the first half of the semester, and the goals of the individual characters, will enable each student to compare the classroom Constitution to the real one.
Seminar: Law and the Judicial Process
POL 342 - Harris, Rebecca C.
A survey of legal theories and the problems of reconciling such theories with the realities of administering a legal system. The course draws upon readings from literature, philosophy, legal scholarship, and political science. Topics include the nature of law and justice, constitutionalism, the role and power of courts and judges, and the function of a legal system.
Seminar in American Political Thought: Slavery & the Constitution
POL 370B - Uzzell, Lynn E.
According to some people, the Framers of the Constitution deliberately constructed a government that would preserve and protect slavery. However, others claim that "the foundation of our Republic," including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, "planted the seeds of the death of slavery in America." According to this narrative, even the Constitution's compromises "set the stage for abolition." Who's right? Or is the truth more complicated than either of these competing narratives? This course will explore the influence of the institution of slavery on the making of the U.S. Constitution and the influence of the U.S. Constitution on the institution of slavery. Through research into primary documents and classroom discussion, this class will not merely examine the darker side of America's history; we will also explore the enduring questions: how do statesmen solve the the most difficult moral, political, and legal problems?
Seminar in Global Politics: Immigration Attitudes
POL 380D - Ponce de Leon Seijas, Zoila
An examination of immigration attitudes in Europe, the United States, and Latin America. When and why do individuals choose to migrate to a different country? How do natives of the receiving country react to immigration and form preferences on the issue depending on their socio-economic and political context? The study of immigration has received a lot of attention in recent times as a consequence of the increased political salience of the topic. We examine the different factors that determine immigration attitudes in European countries and the United States, as well as the transportability of these explanatory factors to other regions of the world, such as Latin America. Immigration has become a pressing issue in this region, as the flow of people to countries outside the region has reduced since the 2000s while immigration across Latin American countries has increased.
Architecture of Urban Community
POL 388 - LeBlanc, Robin M.
This seminar investigates the literal and social architecture of democratic community in cities around the globe, examining how the physical spaces and political and economic power structures of urban life support or constrain the civic relationships of residents of varying backgrounds and unequal socioeconomic positions, shaping citizens' opportunities for collective empowerment and self-determination. Course addresses issues of poverty, exclusion, and environmental limits.
Directed Individual Study: Electoral Dynamics and Modeling
POL 403D - Alexander, Brian N.
This course permits a student to follow a program of directed reading, library research, or data collection and analysis in some area not covered in other courses.
Washington Term Orientation
POL 465 - Alexander, Brian N.
Graded Pass/Fail only. This orientation prepares students to succeed in the W&L Washington Term Program. The weekly class consists of discussion, lectures, guest speakers, and reading assignments that help students hit the ground running as policy professionals and public intellectuals in Washington, DC, during Spring Term. Limited to and required for students permitted to enroll in POL 466 Washington Term during Spring Term.