2018-2019 University Catalog archived
Course Descriptions
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Physics |
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PHYS 113 - General Physics Laboratory I
FDR: SL
Credits: 1
Corequisite: PHYS 111. A laboratory course to accompany PHYS 111. Laboratory exercises in classical mechanics. Laboratory course with fee. Staff.
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PHYS 114 - General Physics Laboratory II
FDR: SL
Credits: 1
Corequisite: PHYS 112. A laboratory course to accompany PHYS 112. Laboratory exercises in electricity, magnetism, and optics. Laboratory course with fee. Staff.
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PHYS 120 - Dreams of a Final Theory: The Quest for Unification in Physics
FDR: SC
Credits: 4
This course presents the quest for unification in physics from a scientific, historical, and philosophical perspective. The course introduces students to the evolution of physical theories from the ancient Greek philosophers to the modern concepts of Einstein’s special and general theory of relativity, black holes, the standard model in particle physics, as well as the controversial string theory. D. Mazilu.
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PHYS 125 - Supervised Study Abroad: Particle Physics at CERN
FDR: SC
Credits: 4
This course introduces students to basic theoretical and phenomenological concepts of the structure of matter at the atomic and nuclear level. Students learn about the fundamental particles and their interactions in the context of the groundbreaking experiments that are underway at CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research), the world’s leader in particle physics research and the host of the Large Hadron Collider. The course includes traditional lectures as well as seminar-type workshops and computational projects, and culminates with a ten-day trip to Switzerland to visit CERN, Geneva, and Bern. I. Mazilu.
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PHYS 150 - The Immense Journey: Harmonices Mundi
FDR: SL
Credits: 4
Appropriate for non-science majors. The classical astronomy of the solar system is traced by a study of Greek astronomy and the revolutionary ideas of Kepler and Newton. The apparent and real motions of the earth, moon, and planets are studied in detail, as well as special phenomena such as eclipses, tides, and objects such as comets and asteroids. Emphasis is on comprehension and application of principles rather than memorization of facts. The laboratory stresses the observational aspects of astronomy. Elementary geometry, algebra, and trigonometry are used in the course. Laboratory course with fee. Staff.
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PHYS 151 - Stellar Evolution and Cosmology
FDR: SL
Credits: 4
Appropriate for non-science majors. An introduction to the physics and astronomy of stellar systems and the universe. Topics include the formation and lifecycle of stars, stellar systems, galaxies, and the universe as a whole according to “Big Bang” cosmology. Observational aspects of astronomy are also emphasized, including optics and telescopes, star maps, and knowledge of constellations. Geometry, trigonometry algebra and logarithms are used in the course. Laboratory course with fee. Sukow.
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PHYS 180 - FS: First-year Seminar
Credits: 3 or 4
Prerequisite: First-year class standing. Additional course fee required. A seminar for first-year students.
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PHYS 195 - Special Topics in Contemporary Physics
FDR: SL or SC determined for each offering
Credits: 3-4
Appropriate for non-science majors. Topics in contemporary physics, including classical and modern physics principles that form the foundation for the contemporary work. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different, up to a total of 8 credits. (FDR designation of SL or SC determined for each offering)
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PHYS 202 - Relativity
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: PHYS 112 and 114. An examination of the special theory of relativity. Emphasis is placed on kinematic effects of the theory, conservation of momentum, conservation of energy, and electromagnetic implications of the theory. A brief introduction to general relativity is entertained. D. Mazilu.
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PHYS 207 - Electrical Circuits
(ENGN 207)
Credits: 4
Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in PHYS 112. Corequisite: PHYS 207L. A detailed study of electrical circuits and the methods used in their analysis. Basic circuit components, as well as devices such as operational amplifiers, are investigated. The laboratory acquaints the student both with fundamental electronic diagnostic equipment and with the design and behavior of useful circuits. Laboratory course. Erickson.
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PHYS 208 - Electronics
(ENGN 208)
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: Grade C or better in PHYS (ENGN) 207. An introduction to practical analog and digital electronics emphasizing design, construction, and measurement of circuits in the laboratory. Topics may include diode wave-shaping circuits, transistor audio amplifiers, power supplies, oscillators, data converters (A/D and D/A), Boolean logic gates, programmable logic devices, flip-flops, counters, data storage and retrieval, and a survey of emerging technologies. Erickson.
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PHYS 210 - Modern Physics
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: PHYS 112. An introduction to the physics of the atom, including the wave description of matter and quantum mechanics, and the experiments that led to the theory. Selected topics from atomic, molecular, nuclear, statistical, and solid state physics are discussed; the choice of topics may vary from year to year. Sukow, D. Mazilu.
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PHYS 225 - Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering
(ENGN 225)
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: PHYS 112, MATH 221. Study of a collection of mathematical techniques particularly useful in upper-level courses in physics and engineering: vector differential operators such as gradient, divergence, and curl; functions of complex variables; Fourier analysis; orthogonal functions; matrix algebra and the matrix eigenvalue problem; ordinary and partial differential equations. Erickson.
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PHYS 230 - Newtonian Mechanics
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: PHYS 111 and 113, MATH 221. A thorough study of Newton’s laws of motion, rigid body motion, and accelerated reference frames. A student may not receive degree credit for both ENGN 204 and PHYS 230. D. Mazilu.
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PHYS 255 - Numerical Methods for Engineering and Physics
(ENGN 255)
Credits: 4
Prerequisite: PHYS 112. This course introduces students to computer programming and a variety of numerical methods used for computation-intensive work in engineering and physics. Numerical integration, difference approximations to differential equations, stochastic methods, graphical presentation, and nonlinear dynamics are among the topics covered. Students need no previous programming experience. Staff.
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PHYS 260 - Materials Science
(ENGN 260)
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in PHYS 111. An introduction to solid state materials. Study of the relation between microstructure and corresponding physical properties for metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites. D’Alessandro.
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PHYS 265 - Modeling and Simulation of Physical Systems
Credits: 4
Prerequisites: PHYS 112 and MATH 102 or instructor consent. An introduction to the innovative field of modeling and analysis of complex physical systems from such diverse fields as physics, chemistry, ecology, epidemiology, and a wide range of interdisciplinary, emerging fields such as econophysics and sociophysics. Topics vary according to faculty expertise and student interest. The goal is to seek the underlying physics laws that govern such seemingly diverse systems and to provide contemporary mathematical and computational tools for studying and simulating their dynamics. Includes traditional lectures as well as workshops and computational labs, group presentations, and seminars given by invited speakers I. Mazilu.
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PHYS 275 - Electricity and Magnetism
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: PHYS 112 and 114; Prerequisite or corequisite: PHYS (ENGN) 225. An introduction to the classical theory of electric and magnetic fields. The basic equations of electromagnetism (Maxwell’s equations) are developed through a study of electrostatics, steady-state magnetism, and electromagnetic induction. D. Mazilu.
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PHYS 285 - Optics
Credits: 4
Prerequisites: PHYS (ENGN) 225. A study of the properties of electromagnetic waves with special emphasis on visible light. Wave descriptions are developed for scattering, reflection, refraction, interference, diffraction, and polarization. Topics in geometrical optics are also studied, including lenses and aberration theory. Laboratory course. Sukow.
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PHYS 295 - Intermediate Special Topics in Physics
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: Vary with topic. Intermediate work in nuclear physics, optics, photonics, condensed matter, complex systems, nanotechnology, astrophysics, computational physics, or other topics according to faculty expertise and student interest. May be repeated for degree credit for a maximum of six credits with permission and if the topics are different.
Winter 2019, PHYS 295A-01: Special Topics in Modern and Contemporary Physics (3). Prerequisite: PHYS 210. Significant ideas and developments in modern and contemporary physics. The topics covered are from different areas of physics, such as general relativity (gravitational redshift, black holes and wormholes), cosmology (evidence of the Big Bang, stellar evolution, dark matter, gravitational waves), condensed matter physics (superconductivity and its applications, semiconductor theory and devices), and nanoscience (nanolithography, self-assembly and self-organization, scanning probe microscopes, nanomaterials and nanostructures). D. Mazilu.
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PHYS 315 - Nuclear Physics
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: PHYS 210. Topics include radioactivity, nuclear reactions, high-energy physics, and elementary particles. I. Mazilu.
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PHYS 340 - Quantum Mechanics
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: PHYS 210 and PHYS (ENGN) 225, and MATH 332 as prerequisite or corequisite. A study of the postulates and formalism of quantum theory emphasizing the Schroedinger approach. The probabilistic theory is applied to one-dimensional bound and scattering states and the three-dimensional central force problem. Investigation of spin and angular momentum, Clebsch-Gordan coefficients, indistinguishable particles, and perturbation theory. Mathematical formalism includes operators, commutators, Hilbert space, and Dirac notation. Sukow.
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PHYS 345 - Statistical Physics
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: PHYS 210 and PHYS (ENGN) 225, or instructor consent. A study of the statistical methods used in various branches of physics. The Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein distribution functions are derived and applied to problems in thermodynamics and the physics of solids. I. Mazilu.
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PHYS 399 - Capstone
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: Successful completion of 8 PHYS courses at or above the 200 level and senior standing. The capstone course offers students the opportunity to synthesize and apply conceptual understanding and practical knowledge gained from previous coursework to conduct a feasible research project over a single term in a mentored learning environment D. Mazilu, I. Mazilu, Sukow.
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PHYS 401 - Directed Individual Study
Credits: 1
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Advanced work and reading in topics selected by the instructor to fit special needs of advanced students. This course may be repeated with permission for a total of six credits. Staff.
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PHYS 402 - Directed Individual Study
Credits: 2
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Advanced work and reading in topics selected by the instructor to fit special needs of advanced students. This course may be repeated with permission for a total of six credits. Staff.
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PHYS 403 - Directed Individual Study
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Advanced work and reading in topics selected by the instructor to fit special needs of advanced students. This course may be repeated with permission for a total of six credits. Staff.
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PHYS 421 - Directed Individual Research
Experiential Learning (EXP): Yes
Credits: 1
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. Directed research in physics. May be repeated for degree credit with permission of the instructor. May be carried out during the summer. Staff.
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PHYS 422 - Directed Individual Research
Experiential Learning (EXP): Yes
Credits: 2
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. Directed research in physics. May be repeated for degree credit with permission of the instructor. May be carried out during the summer. Staff.
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PHYS 423 - Directed Individual Research
Experiential Learning (EXP): Yes
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. Directed research in physics. May be repeated for degree credit with permission of the instructor. May be carried out during the summer. Staff.
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PHYS 473 - Senior Thesis
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: Previous research experience, senior standing, declared major in physics, and instructor consent. Culminates in the writing of a thesis on original scholarship undertaken with the guidance of a faculty adviser. May also involve additional research in physics, individual or group conferences with the faculty adviser, literature review, interim reports, and dissemination activities. Staff.
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PHYS 493 - Honors Thesis
Credits: 3-3
Prerequisite: Instructor consent and departmental honors candidacy. Honors Thesis.
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Politics |
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POL 100 - American National Government
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
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. Staff.
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POL 105 - Introduction to Global Politics
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
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. Staff.
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POL 111 - Introduction to Political Philosophy
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
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. Staff.
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POL 180 - FS: First-Year Seminar
Credits: 3
First-Year Seminar. Prerequisite: First-Year class standing. First-year seminar.
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POL 191 - Issues in World Affairs
Experiential Learning (EXP): Yes
Credits: 1
Prerequisite: Instructor consent. Experiential Learning. Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. Open to students of any class year or major. Requires completion of a winter-term trip to New York City. This course exposes students to ideas, issues, and individuals that play a role in contemporary debates about world affairs and American foreign policy. The program, sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), provides an opportunity for students to participate in national conversations with leading experts on international relations and contemporary foreign-policy problems. On six occasions in the fall term, students meet for an hour to hear a conference call presentation by a CFR expert and then, along with students on campuses across the county, pose questions to the speaker about the topic at hand. Each conference call includes a set of background readings and is transcribed for posting on the CFR website. In order to receive credit, students must travel with all class participants in the winter term to New York City to meet individuals, including W&L graduates, who are actively practicing careers in international relations. May not be taken more than once. Staff.
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POL 203 - State and Local Government
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
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. Finch.
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POL 214 - The Conduct of American Foreign Policy
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: POL 100 or 105. Constitutional basis, role of the President and the Congress, the State Department and the Foreign Service, role of public opinion, political parties, and pressure groups. Relation to other political areas and to the United Nations and other international agencies. Strong.
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POL 215 - International Development
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
A study of international development and human capability, with a focus on Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The course analyzes theories to explain development successes and failures, with a focus on the structures, institutions, and actors that shape human societies and social change. Key questions include measuring economic growth and poverty, discussing the roles of states and markets in development, and examining the role of industrialized countries in reducing global poverty. The course explores links between politics and other social sciences and humanities. Staff.
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POL 227 - East Asian Politics
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
An investigation of East Asian political systems and the global, historical, and cultural contexts in which their political institutions have developed. Students consider the connections between political structure and the rapid social and economic changes in East Asia since World War II, as well as the effectiveness of varied political processes in addressing contemporary problems. Emphasis is given to China, Korea, and Japan. LeBlanc.
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POL 229 - Political Parties, Interest Groups, and the Media
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: POL 100. A study of the three central extra-constitutional mediating institutions in the American political system: political parties, interest groups, and the media. The course explores theoretical and practical, historical and contemporary developments in party politics, interest group politics, and media politics. Special attention to the debate between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. Connelly.
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POL 230 - Separation of Powers in the U.S. Constitution
(LEGL 230) FDR: SS2
Credits: 4
This course probes the origins, development, advantages, and disadvantages of the tripartite structure of the federal government, beginning with an examination of the background and text of Articles I, II, and III of the U.S. Constitution. We analyze structural explanations provided in the Federalist Papers, along with Classical and Enlightenment sources addressing the nature of political power, the problem of faction, the role of checks and balances, and the purpose of separated functions. In-depth analyses of leading U.S. Supreme Court decisions trace evolving conceptions of legislative. executive. and judicial powers along with attention to the relevance of war and economic crisis to the authority and function of each branch. In discussions of landmark decisions, students compare the legal thought of a number of Justices–John Marshall, William Howard Taft, Robert Jackson, William Brennan, Sandra Day O’Connor, Anthony Kennedy, and Antonin Scalia. We trace the creation of the so-called “fourth branch” of government–the administrative state– and examine whether this “branch” can be reconciled with ideas of representative democracy and constitutional text. Students prepare and deliver two oral arguments based on assigned cases and write an appellate brief on a separation-of-powers topic. Murchison.
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POL 232 - Public Policy
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: POL 100. 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, the environment, and public health are used as illustrations. Harris.
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POL 233 - Environmental Policy and Law
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: ECON 100, ECON 101, or POL 100. 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. Harris.
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POL 234 - Congress and the Legislative Process
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: POL 100. A review of the constitutional origins and historical development of Congress as a representative and deliberative institution. Course focus includes the relation between the President and Congress, bicameralism, congressional elections, congressional reform, legislative rules and procedures, and the policy process. The course follows the current Congress using C-SPAN and Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report. Connelly.
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POL 235 - The Presidency
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: POL 100. A review of the origins and development of the office of the presidency from Washington to the present, with an emphasis on post-war administrations. Topics include constitutional issues arising from presidential powers, policy making within the executive branch, and modern presidential leadership styles. Connelly, Strong.
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POL 236 - The American Supreme Court and Constitutional Law
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: POL 100. 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. Staff.
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POL 245 - European Politics and Society
(SOAN 245) FDR: SS4
Credits: 3
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. Jasiewicz.
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POL 246 - Post-Communism and New Democracies
(SOAN 246) FDR: SS4 as sociology only
Credits: 3
A comparative analysis of transition from Communism in the countries of the former Soviet bloc. Cases of successful and unsuccessful transitions to civil society, pluralist democracy, and market economy are examined. The comparative framework includes analysis of transition from non-Communist authoritarianism and democratic consolidation in selected countries of Latin America, the Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and South Africa. Jasiewicz.
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POL 247 - Latin American Politics
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
This course focuses on Latin American politics during the 20th and 21st centuries. Major topics include: democracy and authoritarianism; representation and power; populism, corporatism, socialism, and communism; and questions of poverty, inequality, and economic growth. The course places particular emphasis on the Cuban and Mexican Revolutions, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Guatemala, and Peru. In addition, the course examines political and economic relations between the United States and Latin America. Staff.
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POL 250 - Race and Equality
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: POL 100 or POL 111 or AFCA 130. Not to be repeated by students who completed POL 180: FS: Black American Politics in Winter 2018. 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. Morel.
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POL 251 - Social Movements
(SOAN 251) FDR: SS4
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: POL 100, 105 or 111 or instructor consent. A survey of American social movements, including an evaluation of competing theoretical approaches to the study of social movements and an examination of the strategies, successes, failures, and political and social consequences of the civil rights, labor, student, and women’s movements. Close attention is given to factors contributing to the rise and decline of these LeBlanc, Eastwood.
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POL 255 - Gender and Politics
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: POL 100, 105 or 111 or instructor consent. 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. LeBlanc.
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POL 265 - Classical Political Philosophy
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: POL 111. An examination of some of the central questions and concerns of classical political philosophy. The course is not restricted to a historical period but extends to classical 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. Consult with the instructor for specific course details. Hale.
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POL 266 - Modern Political Philosophy
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: POL 111. 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. Staff.
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POL 267 - Contemporary Political Philosophy
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: POL 111. The principal aim of this course is to help students understand and think critically about contemporary political life and the crises facing democracy. We examine central questions and concerns in contemporary political philosophy surrounding the topics of democracy, (neo)liberalism, identity, race, and gender. Attention is given to the sources and implications of crises threatening democratic governance, to processes of neo-liberalization, and to how we might better (re)cognize identity, hierarchy, and solidarity in contemporary conditions of pluralism. Consult with the instructor for specific course details. Gray.
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POL 268 - Migration, Identity, and Conflict
(SOAN 268) FDR: SS4
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: SOAN 102, POV 101, or POL 105. This course focuses on the complex relationship between migration, political institutions, group identities, and inter-group conflict. The course is a hybrid of a seminar and research lab in which students (a) read some of the key social-scientific literature on these subjects, and (b) conduct team-based research making use of existing survey data about the integration of migrant populations into various polities. Eastwood.
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POL 271 - Black Mirror
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
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. Gray.
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POL 274 - Terrorism
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
The principal goal of this course is to help students understand the complexities of contemporary terrorism. We discuss definitional issues, the historical roots of modern terrorism, and various micro- and macro-explanations for this form of violence. We also investigate the life cycles of terrorist groups: How do they emerge? What kinds of organizational challenges do they face? How do they end? Other topics include leaderless movements (e.g., “lone wolves”) and state sponsorship. Throughout the course, students observe that terrorism is not a phenomenon unique to one class of people. The course ends with three weeks focused on a certain kind of terrorism which some have called violent Islamic extremism. Cantey.
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POL 276 - Intelligence in Practice
FDR: SS2
Credits: 4
Additional course fee required, for which the student is responsible after Friday of the 7th week of winter term. This course examines the responsibilities of, and challenges faced by, today’s intelligence community (IC). Drawing on current literature and case studies, topics include intelligence collection and analysis, ethical and moral issues, oversight and accountability, covert action, and the increasing role of “cyber” in espionage. Through an intelligence lens, we explore the rise of al Qaeda and the global jihadist movement, the run-up to 9/11, intelligence failures (and successes) associated with the Iraq war and the Arab Spring, and the role of the IC in future scenario planning. One week is spent in and around Washington, DC, where we tour the National Spy Museum, meet with intelligence officials, and visit other intelligence-related sites. Cantey.
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POL 278 - Intelligence and National Security
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: POL 100 or 105. Not open to those with credit for POL 276. This course examines 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 (direction, collection, processing, analysis, dissemination), ethical and moral issues, oversight and accountability, covert action, and intelligence reform. Through an intelligence lens, we explore the rise of al Qaeda, 9/11 and its aftermath, successes and failures associated with the Iraq War, Russian efforts to sway the 2016 US presidential election, and more. Cantey.
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POL 283 - Minority Voting Rights and Fair Redistricting
FDR: SS2
Credits: 4
No prerequisite. Meets the American politics field requirement in the politics major. This course introduces students to the redistricting process and election law by engaging them in a lab setting in which they use geographic information systems (GIS) software to develop alternative election district plans for the Commonwealth of Virginia. In addition to learning basic GIS skills, students also study voting rights case law, electoral systems and electoral reform. Staff.
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POL 285 - Contemporary Britain
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the London Summer Internship Program. Corequisite: INTR 453. A summer course taught in Britain, this is an introduction to some key features of contemporary life in the United Kingdom (UK). It focuses on political institutions and processes and extends to take in wider British society. Consideration is given both to the history of recent decades in the UK and to currently prevailing circumstances. Class meetings are combined with a series of visits to relevant sites of interest intended to enhance and expand upon the learning experience. Blick.
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POL 286 - Contemporary South Africa Politics
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: Rising sophomore, junior, or senior class standing from any major; minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 at the time of application. Corequisite: INTR 453 (Cape Town). This summer, study abroad course examines post-apartheid politics of South Africa. Our initial focus is on the Apartheid era, emphasizing the domestic and global politics that led to the rise and fall of the National Party Government. This includes an overview of apartheid, a detailed account of the transition process, and how this process structured the post-apartheid political system and societal landscape. We also explore important current questions facing South Africans, from national identity to economic inequality. Overall, this course aims to give students the tools to look beyond an uncritical adoption of the “miracle rising” and “rainbow nation” discourse on South Africa. LeBlanc and Kroenke.
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POL 287 - The Maghreb: History, Culture, and Politics
FDR: SS2
Experiential Learning (EXP): YES
Credits: 4
This course examines the history, culture, and politics of the Maghreb, and especially the Kingdom of Morocco. After a few days in Lexington, most of the course is based in the old cities of Rabat and Fez, the latter a UNESCO world-heritage site and home to the oldest continually operating university in the world. We take field trips to the blue city of Chefchouen, the Roman ruins of Volubilis, and Africa’s largest mosque in Casablanca. Throughout the course, students explore the region’s political history, including the influence of imperialism and Islam on politics, gender relations in North Africa, Morocco’s relationship with the United States, and more. Cantey.
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POL 288 - Supervised Study Abroad
FDR: SS2
Credits: 4
Prerequisites: Instructor consent and other prerequisites as specified in advance. This spring-term course covers a topic of current interest for which foreign travel provides a unique opportunity for significantly greater understanding. Topics and locations change from year to year and is announced each year, well in advance of registration. This course may be repeated if the topics are different. Offered when interest and expressed and department resources permit.
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POL 290 - Seminar in Politics, Literature and the Arts
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: Set by instructor, varies with topic. In this course, we study how literature, film, and other media are used to examine political themes and how they are used to achieve political ends. We address how politics shapes the arts and how the arts shape politics. The topic is announced at registration. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different. Only one such seminar may be counted towards the politics major.
Spring 2019, POL 290-01: Politics and Culture: Seminar in Politics, Literature, and the Arts (3). Prerequisite: POL 100. In this American politics course, we study how literature, film, and other media are used to examine political themes and how they are used to achieve political ends. We explore the interplay between politics and culture from William Shakespeare’s King Lear to Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer to Lin Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton, with a particular focus on the role of political humor in reflecting and molding political mores and opinions. Movies include Casablanca and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. We address how politics shapes the arts and how the arts shape politics. Political science texts supplement the artistic sources assigned. (SS2) Connelly.
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POL 291 - Special Topics in American Government: Washington and the Arts of Leadership
Credits: 1
A seminar in political science for students at the introductory or intermediate level. Topic, hour, and instructor are announced prior to registration. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
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POL 292 - Topics in Politics and Film
FDR: SS2
Credits: 4
Prerequisites: Vary by offering. Open to non-majors and majors of all class years. This course examines how film and television present political issues and themes. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
Spring 2019, POL 292-02: Politics and Film: The Politics of Race and Gender in Mad Men (4). Prerequisite: Instructor consent. This class uses episodes of the Emmy Award-winning television series Mad Men – famous for its depiction of shifting understandings of gender and race relations in the United States in the 1960s – as a basis for exploring the culture of race and gender shared/challenged by the show’s 21st century audience. Supplementary reading and films will offer a framework for critique. Students create their own short screenplays to further explore how entertainment can work as social criticism. (SS2) LeBlanc.
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POL 294 - Spring-Term Topics in Public Policy
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3-4
This course is designed to give students additional expertise and awareness of discrete policy challenges in the United States. Students learn to explain current policy systems, including political institutions and political behavior by political actors. Students also formulate policy evaluations acknowledging the strengths and the weaknesses in the policy system.
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POL 295 - Special Topics in American Politics
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3 in fall and winter, 4 in spring
Prerequisite: May vary with topic. A seminar in political science for students at the introductory or intermediate level. Topic, hour, and instructor are announced prior to registration. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
Spring 2019, POL 295-02: Special Topic: Minority Rights and Gerrymandering (4). An introduction to the history of voting-rights discrimination in the United States with a particular focus on gerrymandering. The course begins with a study of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and how it has evolved through congressional amendments and Supreme Court decisions. We then investigate theories of minority representation and democracy. To place the theoretical aspects of the course into practical perspective, the course includes a lab component in which students learn to use redistricting software (ArcMap). We use Virginia elections and census data to produce alternative election maps of Virginia to demonstrate how we can make elections fairer and more competitive and create more opportunities for minority representation. (SS2) Rush, Kuettner.
Spring 2019, POL 295-03: Special Topic: Campaign Journalism in the Age of High-Tech Populism (3). Experiential Learning. An examination of how to cover the men and women who run for President of the United States, beyond the outside-the-Beltway method of “parachute journalism”. Topics include “pack journalism” and its impact on how Americans view the candidates and the issues; the role of national and political parties and whether they have any meaningful impact on the voters; how local issues shape votes; and the influence of the national media on voter’s sentiments. The instructor, an active journalist, leads the students in their real-time fieldwork, with each student assigned to research and prepare a remote story in a primary-election or general-election state, one to be published in the Washington Examiner. The student’s work receives the same full edit, fact-checking, and follow-through as any other print story. (SS2) Zito.
Winter 2019, POL 295A-01: Topic: The Administrative State - Law, Ethics, and Change (3). An introduction to the legal framework of American constitutional and administrative government. This course covers the development of principles of separated legislative, executive and judicial functions; the combination of those functions in the modern administrative agency; and the predominantly procedural responses of the legal system to the continuing questions of legitimacy raised by this allocation of authority. (SS2) Murchison.
Winter 2019, POL 295B-01: Special Topic: The Material Culture of Protest (3). What is the meaning of that rainbow sticker on your friend’s computer? Does the slogan on your t-shirt make history? Why did millions of women don hand-knitted pink pussy hats for the 2017 Women’s March? Objects from 18th-century anti-slavery medallions to 21st-century bumper stickers have long been important tools for social, economic, and political change. Students investigate the relationship between this kind of material culture and political protest, curating an exhibit about the objects of protest they have studied. Students should plan on a required, fully funded field trip to Washington D.C. to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Museum of American History. (SS2) LeBlanc, Fuchs.
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POL 296 - Special Topics in Global Politics
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3 in fall and winter, 4 in spring
Prerequisites vary by topic. Meets the global politics field requirement in the politics major. A seminar in political science for students at the introductory or intermediate level. Topic, hour, and instructor are announced prior to registration. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
Spring 2019, POL 296-01: Special Topics in Global Politics: International Crises and National Security (4). Prerequisite: POL 105 and instructor consent. This course examines international crisis behavior through a combination of classroom instruction and participatory National Security Council simulation scenarios. Students study theories of international crisis alongside historical case studies such as the July Crisis of 1914, the Suez Crisis, and the Cuban Missile Crisis, among others, with students assuming a role on a model National Security Council. Using crisis scenarios derived from the Council on Foreign Relations Model Diplomacy series, students research past and present policymakers on the NSC, adopt a policy persona, and work toward the resolution of crises guided by the instructor and guest participants from the policy community. The combination of readings and enactment encourages critical examination of both theories of national security and the vicissitudes of its practice. Multiple outside-of-class meetings are required. (SS2) O’Dell.
Winter 2019, POL 296A-01: Topics in Global Politics: International Order and Crises, 1919-2019 (3). Prerequisite: POL 105. This course examines international order between 1919 and 2019. Students explore four arrangements of international order, each embodied by a dominant or representative institution: the Versailles period (the League of Nations), the Cold War (NATO), liberal international order (the European Union), and the contemporary world (“Brexit”). Lectures and class discussion elucidate the theories behind each of these orders, their history, and their characteristic crises. Particular reference is made to key topical anniversaries and relevant current events, including the 100th anniversary of the Versailles conference and the 70th of the North Atlantic Treaty as well as the scheduled disaffiliation of Great Britain from the European Union in late March 2019. Texts are drawn from international relations theory, history, contemporary political commentary, and biographical and autobiographical accounts of relevant statespeople such as Woodrow Wilson, Winston Churchill, George C. Marshall, and Margaret Thatcher. (SS2) O’Dell.
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POL 297 - Special Topics in Political Philosophy
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3 in fall and winter, 4 in spring
Prerequisites: First-year or sophomore standing or instructor consent. A seminar in political science for students at the introductory or intermediate level. Topic, hour, and instructor are announced prior to registration. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
Fall 2018, POL 297A-01: Secession, Revolution, and Self-Government (3). Prerequisite: POL 100. An examination of the principle of secession as a contested political right of a state to separate peacefully and legitimately from a federal union of states. The most (in)famous example in American history is when eleven slave-holding states independently announced their right to separate from the United States of America, which eventually led to their formation of the Confederate States of America. To help explore the concept of secession, students examine the related right of revolution and its relationship to self-government, with a particular focus on the principles of the American revolution, the constitutional development of the early American republic, and the onset of the Civil War. (SS2) Morel.
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POL 342 - Seminar: Law and the Judicial Process
FDR: SS2
Experiential Learning (EXP): Yes
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: POL 100 or POL 111, or instructor consent. 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. Note: re-numbered from POL 237. Harris.
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POL 360 - Seminar: Lincoln’s Statesmanship
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: POL 100. This seminar examines the political thought and practice of Abraham Lincoln. Emphasis is on his speeches and writings, supplemented by scholarly commentary on his life and career. Morel.
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POL 370 - Seminar in American Political Thought
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3 credits in fall or winter; 4 credits in spring.
Prerequisite: POL 100 or POL 111. An examination of classic themes and current issues in American political thought. Depending on the instructor, emphases may include the Federalists, Anti-Federalists, Alexis de Tocqueville, Abraham Lincoln, and voices from the Progressive and civil rights eras. Course readings stress primary sources including speeches, essays, and books by politicians and theorists. The course explores the effort to reconcile liberty and equality, individualism and community, liberalism and republicanism, politics and religion, among other themes. The course highlights the contemporary relevance of the enduring tensions between political principles and practice.
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POL 380 - Global Politics Seminar
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: Normally POL 105 or instructor consent, though prerequisite may vary with topic. Open to majors and non-majors of all classes. Meets the global politics field requirement in the politics major. Examination of selected topics dealing with international and comparative politics. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
Fall 2018, Politics 380A-01: Global Politics Seminar: Law, Science, and Religion in Global Context (3). Prerequisite: At least three credits at the 200-level in politics (excluding INTR 202) or instructor consent. A seminar examining the intersection of three of the principal belief systems that organize our lives, our politics, and our conscience. All three frequently clash because they are premised on incompatible beliefs. The clashes transcend culture and invariably become legal or political matters. Using an international and cross-cultural approach, students study conflicts such as conscientious objections to vaccinations; conflicts between religious pluralism and women’s rights; legal and scientific notions of proof and certainty; and legal definitions of “religion”. Student undertake a research project on a topic of their choice, organize a class meeting based on the research topic, and provide feedback to fellow classmates on their presentations. (SS2) Rush.
Fall 2018, POL 380B-01: Global Politics Seminar: Food, Shelter, Space, Voice: Movements for Democratic Renewal (3). Prerequisite: One 100-level politics course. A study of grassroots efforts to re-vision liberal democracy in the midst of a prolonged economic crisis. Students examine the political critique embedded in international movements to rethink how and what we eat, investigate alternative visions of the relationship between community belonging and housing practices that have arisen since the global mortgage crisis in 2008, and dig into the challenges to the demarcation of the public and private posed by movements such as Occupy and the Puerto del Sol protests in Madrid. (SS2) LeBlanc.
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POL 381 - Seminar in International Political Economy
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: ECON 100, ECON 102, or POL 105, or instructor consent. Meets the global politics field requirement in the politics major. This course provides an intermediate-level introduction to the major actors, questions, and theories in the field of international political economy (IPE). Course participants discuss political and economic interactions in the areas of international trade, fiscal and monetary policy, and exchange rates; discuss globalization in historical and contemporary perspectives; and examine the international politics of the major intergovernmental organizations, multinational corporations, states, and other institutional actors in the global economy. Staff.
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POL 384 - Seminar on Middle Eastern Politics
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: POL 105 or instructor consent. 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. Cantey.
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POL 385 - Freedom
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: POL 111. An examination of differing conceptions of political and individual freedom in the modern world. We explore the political thought of thinkers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, John Stuart Mill, Friedrich Nietzsche, Michel Foucault, and Emma Goldman. Students analyze the meaning of freedom through novels and/or short stories, including the work of authors such as Jonathan Franzen and Franz Kafka. Key questions include the meaning and ends of freedom, its conditions, and connections between personal and political articulations of freedom. Gray.
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POL 392 - Seminar in Asian Politics
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: Vary with topic. A topical seminar focusing on Chinese politics, other Asian countries, or selected subjects in Asian politics. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
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POL 397 - Seminar in American Government
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3 in fall and winter, 4 in spring
Prerequisites: POL 100 or instructor consent. Examination of selected topics in American political institutions, ideas, and processes. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
Fall 2018, POL 397-01: Seminar: Politics for Poets (3). Prerequisites: POL 100 or instructor consent. A course for people who want to change the world but don’t know what to do. Politics involves strategy but also imagination. Focusing largely on the American context, this seminar examines the intersection between creativity and the world of politics. In addition to studying works of political imagination (art, film, poetry), students learn from political science the means of successful political influence (activism, lobbying, campaigns). (SS2) Alexander.
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POL 401 - Directed Individual Study
Credits: 1
Prerequisites: Grade-point average of 3.000 in politics and permission of the instructor. 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. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different. Staff.
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POL 403 - Directed Individual Study
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: Grade-point average of 3.000 in politics and instructor consent. 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. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
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POL 453 - Internship
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: Grade-point average of 3.000 in politics and 3.000 overall, and permission of the instructor. Supervised off-campus experience in a governmental agency or political institution. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different. May be carried out during the summer. Connelly.
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POL 456 - Internship
Credits: 6
Prerequisites: Grade-point average of 3.000 in politics and 3.000 overall, and permission of the instructor. Supervised off-campus experience in a governmental agency or political institution. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different. May be carried out during the summer. Connelly.
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POL 466 - Washington Term Program
Experiential Learning (EXP): Yes
Credits: 6
Prerequisites: Grade-point average of 3.000 overall and in politics courses; POL 100, 105, or 111. Competitive selection process each October. 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. Alexander.
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POL 493 - Honors Thesis
Credits: 3-3
Prerequisites: Grade-point average of 3.300 overall and 3.500 in politics major. Honors Thesis.
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Portuguese |
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PORT 113 - Accelerated Elementary Portuguese
Credits: 4
Prerequisite: Romance Language placement into FREN 161 or SPAN
161 or higher, or by instructor consent for students with prior experience in Portuguese. An accelerated course in elementary Portuguese emphasizing grammar and the skills of speaking, writing, reading, and listening comprehension and meeting five days per week. Pinto-Bailey.
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PORT 163 - Accelerated Intermediate Portuguese
FDR: FL
Credits: 4
Prerequisite: PORT 113 or equivalent. This course develops intermediate communicative Portuguese vocabulary and active intermediate competence in the language. The traditional skills of foreign language instruction (structure, listening comprehension, reading, writing, and speaking) are stressed. This course meets five days per week. Pinto-Bailey.
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PORT 261 - Advanced Conversation and Composition
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: PORT 163 or equivalent. Further development of conversational skills and beginning work in free composition, with systematic grammar review and word study in various relevant cultural contexts. Pinto-Bailey.
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PORT 295 - Topics in Brazilian Culture
Credits: 3
A second-year topics course focusing on issues and texts related to Portuguese literature and culture. All discussion, writing, and exercises are in Portuguese. May be repeated for degree credit with permission and if the topics are different.
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PORT 401 - Directed Individual Study
Credits: 1
Prerequisites: Two terms of Portuguese language or equivalent and consent of the department head. Taught in Portuguese. The nature and content of the course is determined by the students’ needs and by an evaluation of previous work. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different. Staff.
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PORT 402 - Directed Individual Study
Credits: 2
Prerequisites: Two terms of Portuguese language or equivalent and consent of the department head. Taught in Portuguese. The nature and content of the course is determined by the students’ needs and by an evaluation of previous work. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
Fall 2018, PORT 402-01: Directed Individual Study (2). Prerequisite: Instructor consent. Weekly meetings, during which students discuss topics of their choice or give brief presentations based on readings in Portuguese, movies, etc., chosen according to the students’ personal and academic interests, in consultation with the instructor. Students also meet weekly with the Portuguese teaching assistant to work on fluency, vocabulary, and pronunciation. Grades based on attendance, participation, and improvement of aural and speaking skills. Pinto-Bailey. Staff.
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PORT 403 - Directed Individual Study
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: Two terms of Portuguese language or equivalent and consent of the department head. Taught in Portuguese. The nature and content of the course is determined by the students’ needs and by an evaluation of previous work. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different. Staff.
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Poverty and Human Capability Studies |
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POV 102 - Fieldwork in Poverty and Human Capability
Experiential Learning (EXP): Yes
Credits: 1
Prerequisites: Prerequisite or corequisite: POV 101. Not eligible for POV 102 if POV 103 completed. Sustained critical reflection on pivotal issues in poverty studies based on supervised volunteer work, journals, and weekly discussions and papers related to the readings in 101. Pickett, Staff.
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POV 103 - Poverty and Human Capability: An Interdisciplinary Introduction and Fieldwork
FDR: HU
Experiential Learning (EXP): YES
Credits: 3
Students may not take for degree credit both this course and POV 101 and 102. An exploration of the nature, scope, causes, effects, and possible remedies for poverty as a social, moral, political and policy, economic, legal, psychological, religious, and biological problem. The course focuses on domestic poverty in the United States but also considers poverty as a global problem. This spring term version of the course integrates service fieldwork into the introductory course taught in the fall and winter and offers the same credit as POV 101 and 102 combined. Pickett, Staff.
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