2021-2022 University Catalog archived
Politics (POL)
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HONORS: An Honors Program in politics is offered for qualified students. Politics majors who have at least a 3.500 grade-point average in the major and at least a 3.300 cumulative grade-point average at the end of their junior year qualify to write an honors thesis. Prospective honors candidates should contact the department head and potential thesis advisers in the fall of their junior year.
Department Head: Lucas E. Morel
Faculty
First date is the year in which the faculty member began regular faculty service at the University. Second date is the year of appointment to the present rank.
Brian Alexander, Ph.D.—(2017)-2017
Assistant Professor of Politics
Ph.D., George Mason University
Joseph M. Cantey Jr., Ph.D.—(2014)-2020
Associate Professor of Politics
Ph.D., Duke University
Stuart J. Gray, Ph.D.—(2015)-2021
Associate Professor of Politics
Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara
Rebecca C. Harris, Ph.D.—(2005)-2018
Professor of Politics
Ph.D., University of Illinois
Robin LeBlanc, Ph.D.—(1998)-2008
Professor of Politics
Ph.D., University of Oklahoma
Lucas E. Morel, Ph.D.—(1999)-2009
John K. Boardman Jr. Professor Politics
Ph.D., Claremont Graduate School
Zoila Ponce de León, Ph.D.—(2018)-2018
Assistant Professor of Politics
Ph.D., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Mark E. Rush, Ph.D.—(1990)-2002
The Stanley D. and Nikki Waxberg Professor of Politics and Director of International Education
Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University
Robert A. Strong, Ph.D.—(1989)-1992
William Lyne Wilson Professor of Politics
Ph.D., University of Virginia
Major
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.
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.
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.
POL 180 - FS: First-Year Seminar
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
First-Year Seminar. Prerequisite: First-Year class standing only. First-year seminar.
Fall 2021, POL 180-01: FS: First-Year Seminar: Democracy and Its Critics (3). Prerequisite: First-year class standing only. What’s so good about democracy, anyway? From Hong Kong to Washington, D.C., democratic ideals of free and fair elections, informed public discourse, civil disobedience, and representative government are being tested, pushing citizens to ask themselves what they value about democracy and why they value it. In this course, we’ll explore democratic theory from its beginnings in ancient Athens to the present, focusing on its relevance to the lived experience of 21st century citizens. In addition to reading classic works by Rousseau and Tocqueville, as well as more recent writings from thinkers like Hannah Arendt and David Foster Wallace, this course will incorporate various criticisms of democratic governance on the basis of both principle and practice, challenging students to consider whether democracy really is the best form of government, or if “true” democracy can ever be achieved. (SS2) C. Miller.
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.
POL 203 - State and Local Government
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: At least sophomore standing. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
POL 230 - Separation of Powers in the U.S. Constitution
(LJS 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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, 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. Staff.
POL 250 - Race and Equality
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: POL 100 or POL 111 or AFCA 130. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
POL 276 - Intelligence in Practice
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
Not open to those who have already taken POL 278 and precludes future enrollment in POL 278. 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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 2022, POL 290A-01: Seminar in Politics, Literature and the Arts: Dystopian Fiction, Horror, and Politics (3). An examination of the political commentary included in dystopian fiction and horror novels and films. Through the analysis of seminal novels such as 1984 and Brave New World, and recent films such as US, students assess different political concepts, including power, government, freedom, and equality. Literature and film can offer the most mesmerizing yet frightening depictions of our present and future world. At the same time, they can provide us with the opportunity to critically compare our contemporary experiences to those portrayed in them. Our main goal is to critically assess the role of the government and powerful actors in our society. We complement our analysis with a variety of academic readings and opinion pieces. (SS2) Ponce de Leon.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Winter 2022, POL 296A-01: Special Topics in Global Politics: Politics of the Enlightenment (3). Traditionally understood, the Enlightenment was a period of political, social, and religious reform within Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries that enabled both the possibility of secular politics and growing significance of Reason within political discourse. While championed by many, this new role for Reason also provoked a number of skeptics and detractors as well, concerned that Reason might not inherently aid in the pursuit of human happiness and freedom, but instead shield and promote radically new forms of oppression, as well as collective experiences of nihilism. By exploring both the arguments advanced by Enlightenment thinkers (e.g., Kant, Spinoza) and their critics (e.g., Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, Marx, Adorno/Horkheimer, Foucault), this class will explore the degree to which the Enlightenment has influenced our politics and the ways we ought to think about its continuing effects. (SS2) Miller.
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.
Winter 2022, POL 297A-01: Special Topics in Political Philosophy: Populism and Fascism (3). At a time when many are worried about the rise of “illiberal” or “authoritarian” democracy, how should we think about both the increasing popularity of populist leaders and positions and growing fears around emerging forms of fascism? Are the two related? If so, in what ways? How should we define “populism” and “fascism”? In this course, we will survey recent debates surrounding the return of both populism and fascism within contemporary political discourse. In doing so, we will pay special attention to the respective intellectual traditions from which they hail, as well as the connections—conceptual, historical, and political—often drawn between them in an effort to both broaden and complicate our understandings of each. (SS2) Miller.
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.
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.
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.
Winter 2022, POL 370-01: Seminar in American Political Thought: Slavery and the Constitution (3). 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? (SS2) Uzzell.
POL 380 - Seminar in Global Politics
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: POLI 105 or instructor consent. 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.
Winter 2022, POL 380A-01: Seminar in Global Politics: Immigration Attitudes (3). Prerequisite: POL 105 or instructor consent. 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. (SS2) Ponce de Leon Seijas.
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.
POL 384 - Seminar in 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.
POL 385 - Seminar: 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.
POL 388 - Architecture of Urban Community
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: a 100-level Politics course or instructor consent. 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. LeBlanc.
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.
POL 396 - Seminar in Political Philosophy
FDR: SS2
Credits: 3 in fall and winter, 4 in spring
Prerequisite: POL 111 or instructor consent. An examination of selected questions and problems in political philosophy and/or political theory. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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