Professors Hill, Warshawsky; Associate Professors Rubongoya, Wilson; Assistant Professor Hartley; Part-time Senior Lecturers Ashby, Clemens, Keyser; Part-time Lecturers Clayton, Ruhland
Students majoring in political science are required to complete a minimum of 12 courses including Political Science 101, 102, 201, 231, 401; one of 221, 222, 224, or 225; one of 311 or 312; two of 341, 342, 343, 345; and 3 electives within the major.
The Department recommends that majors take economics and history courses in fulfilling General Education requirements and elective options.
Students planning to undertake graduate study in political science are advised to take a modern language, statistics, and computer course(s) to satisfy General Education and elective requirements.
A minor consists of six courses:
Political Science 102 and 201; 311 or 312; three additional courses (with no more than one at the 200 level) from among 202, 204, 205, 211, 213, 251, 301, 331, 343, or 345.
With departmental permission, courses from among Political Science 260-262, 395-396, 401, 406, and 416 may be substituted when they include American political topics.
A minor consists of six courses:
Political Science 231; one of 221, 222, 224, or 225; 331 or 332; three additional courses from among 232, 251, 252, 331, 332, 333, 342, or 345. At least three courses must be above the 200 level.
With departmental approval, courses from among Political Science 260-262, 395-396,401, 406, and 416 may be substituted when they include international political topics.
101 Modern Politics
A survey of political practices in the modern world with emphasis on individual, institutional, national, and international behavior. Selected contemporary events will be examined in relation to such behavior. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
102 American National Government
An introduction to constitutional principles, institutions, functions, and processes of politics and government in the United States. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
201 State and Local Government
An examination of the politics, structures, and policies of American state and local governments. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Political Science 102 or permission of the instructor.
202 American Political Parties
An analysis of the political process in the United States, including political parties, interest groups, public opinion, elections, and voting behavior. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Political Science 102 or permission of the instructor.
204 Mass Media and American Politics
An examination of the news and entertainment media, both print and broadcast, and their effects on government, elected officials, and society. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Political Science 102 or permission.
205 The American Presidency
Its politics, powers, limitations, and responsibilities in a democratic society. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Political Science 102 or permission of the instructor.
211 Criminal Justice
An introductory analysis of the criminal justice system in the United States, its structure, processes, and problems. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Political Science 102 or permission of the instructor.
213 Criminal Law
A study of the criminal justice system at work in the courtroom setting, emphasizing the relationship between substantive criminal law, criminal procedure, and the rules of evidence. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: One course in criminal justice (Political Science 102 or 211, or Sociology 238 or 334).
221 Comparative Political Systems: Europe
The government and politics of Great Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and the operations of the European Union. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Political Science 101 or permission of the instructor.
222 Comparative Political Systems: Asia
The government and politics of Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Political Science 101 or permission of the instructor.
224 Comparative Political Systems: Africa
An introduction to African politics south of the Sahara (Sub-Saharan Africa). (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Political Science 101 or permission of the instructor.
225 Comparative Political Systems: Latin America
The government and politics of Latin America, including Central America and the Caribbean. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Political Science 101 or permission of the instructor.
231 International Politics
An examination of the nature of the international political system, the perspectives and behaviors of nation-states, and the role and influence of both intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental actors. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Political Science 101 or permission of the instructor.
232 International Organizations
An examination of global, regional, and functional organizations. The nature and
functions of both governmental and
non-governmental institutions will be discussed. A model United Nations Security Council
simulation exercise is an integral course component. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
245 Bibliographic Resources for Public Affairs
A survey with practical experience in the use of basic United States, Virginia, and international documents, informational sources, and access tools. (1/2)
251 Environmental Public Policy
An examination of environmental policy-making and environmental issues at local, national, and international levels. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Political Science 101 or 102 or Environmental 200 or permission.
252 Human Rights Policy
An introduction to the principles of human rights from a comparative policy-making perspective. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: Political Science 101 or permission of the instructor.
260, 261, 262 Selected Topics in Political Science
Student research, reports, and discussion on selected problems and themes. (1/2, 1, 1/2)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
301 Public Administration
A survey of the role of public administration in the modern state, with emphasis on the development of bureaucracy, organizational theory, and management functions. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Political Science 102.
311 American Constitutional Law
An introduction to decision-making in the Supreme Court and its past and present roles in American government. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: Political Science 102, and one additional course in American politics or permission.
312 Civil Liberties
An examination of Supreme Court decisions dealing with the Bill of Rights with emphasis on the First Amendment.
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: Political Science 102 and one additional course in American politics or permission.
331 The Making of U.S. Foreign Policy
An introduction to the foreign policy process of the United States. Selected issues in United States foreign policy since World War II will also be analyzed. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Political Science 101 or permission of the instructor.
332 Comparative Foreign Policies
An analysis of both the context and content of the foreign policy making process in selected developed and developing states. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Political Science 101 or permission of the instructor.
333 Global Political Economy
A broad introduction to the relationship between politics and economics at the theoretical and policy levels. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Political Science 231.
341 Early Political Theory
A study of significant contributions to political theory from Plato to Machiavelli. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: Political Science 101 and 102 or permission.
342 Modern Political Theory
A study of modern political theory from Machiavelli to the present. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: Political Science 101 and 102 or permission.
343 American Political Theory
A survey of American political theory from colonial precursors to the present. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: Political Science 101 and 102 or permission
345 Research Methodology
A review of the data analysis techniques currently in use in political science and the philosophic assumptions of scientific research. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: Permission, or three courses in political science.
395, 396 Henry H. Fowler Public Policy Seminar
A seminar taught with a scholar-statesperson that deals with a policy issue of public significance. (Made possible by the Henry H. Fowler Endowment. Open to selected students with department permission.) (1, 1/2)
401 Seminar in Public Policy
An in-depth investigation of topical issues in political science utilizing a public policy perspective. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Permission.
406 Independent Study
Supervised reading and research which results in a monograph on a particular aspect of political science. (1)
Prerequisite: Departmental permission.
416 Public Internship
Practical experience in working with a public agency or organization as a participant-observer, leading to the preparation of an experience report which describes and evaluates that agency's activities. (1)
Prerequisites: Departmental permission; prerequisite courses depend on the placement. Normally limited to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
495, 496, 497 Honors Project
A program of independent study culminating in a paper, artistic creation, or performance.
Prerequisite: To qualify for consideration to receive honors in the major, a student in his/her senior year or in the summer prior to the senior year, must work under the guidance of his/her committee. A written proposal and application must be approved by the committee and department. A minimum GPA of 3.4 in the major is required. 495 Honors Project is prerequisite for 497 Honors Project. (1/2, 1, 1/2)