Politics Courses
The Politics program offers courses in a variety of subfields including international relations, comparative politics, American politics, law, and theory.
100-level Politics coursesThese courses are open to all students, without prerequisites, and fulfill the Introductory Social Science (SS-1 requirement. They are generally intended for first-year politics majors and minors and for students outside of the politics program. |
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POL 102 International RelationsAn introduction to relations between countries and an examination of the main conceptual approaches to understanding international conflict and cooperation. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: GP, SS-1. (3) |
POL 103 Comparative PoliticsAn introduction to the workings of politics inside countries other than the United States and an examination of the main conceptual approaches to understanding authority, institutions, and political change. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: GP, SS-1. (3) |
POL 104 American GovernmentAn introductory survey and analysis of the political processes that describe the operations of the federal, state, and local branches of government. Intergovernmental relations are examined. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: SS-1. (3) |
200-level Politics coursesThese courses provide intermediate examinations of selected topics in depth. They all have EN 102 as a prerequisite, and some have other politics pre-requisites as well. Some of these courses fulfill the Advanced Social Science (SS-2) requirement. |
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POL 210 Western Political Concepts IAn introduction to political theory focusing on political thought from ancient to early modern times and on the fundamental conceptions of political theory. Prerequisite: EN 102. (3) |
POL 211 Western Political Concepts IIA study of various political theories and ideologies from early modern to contemporary times. Topics include liberalism, conservatism, and political ideologies. Prerequisite: EN 102. (3) |
POL 230 American Policy ProcessAn introduction to the political dynamics of forming national public policy in the United States. For students with a basic understanding of American government institutions, the course uses case studies to focus on several different areas of policy. Prerequisite: EN 102 and either POL 103 or POL 104. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: DSINQ, SS-2. (3) |
POL 231 Media and PoliticsThis course examines the political dynamics between the news media and politics. The course is designed to provide a deeper understanding of media outlets, journalists, viewers, and their relationship with the government. Prerequisite: EN 102 and either POL 103 or POL 104. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: SS-2. (3) |
POL 240 Global SecurityAn in-depth examination of theories that seek to explain wars, alliances, arms races, civil wars, and terrorism, with applications to contemporary international politics. Prerequisite: EN 102 and either POL 102, POL 103, or POL 104. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: GP, SS-2. (3) |
POL 241 Global Political EconomyAn in-depth examination of theories that seek to explain how political systems address economic inequality, development, trade, labor relations, investment, migration, and natural resources, with applications to contemporary international politics. Prerequisite: EN 102 and either POL 102, POL 103, or POL 104. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: GP, SS-2. (3) |
POL 250 Research and WritingAn introduction to the sources and methods used in political research and writing. Prerequisite: EN 102. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: DSINQ, WI. (3) |
300- and 400-level Politics coursesThese courses provide advanced study of specific politics topics and involve student-directed projects. Most have some politics pre-requisites, and some fill the Advanced Social Science (SS-2) and/or Writing Intensive (WI) requirements. |
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POL 300 State and Urban PoliticsA survey of the structure of state and urban political units and institutions. An examination of their policy and decision-making processes and an investigation of state-federal relations. Prerequisite: grade of C or better in POL 104 or POL 230, or permission of the instructor. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: SS-2. (3) |
POL 307 Race and PoliticsThis course examines race and politics in the United States. The course will analyze the role of minority groups, including African Americans, Latino Americans, and Asian Americans, in the political arena. Moreover, we will look at issues of immigration, affirmative action, and education as they impact minority groups in the U.S. Prerequisite: EN 102 and either POL 103 or POL 104. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: SS-2. (3) |
POL 310 Political Parties and Interest GroupsAn analysis of group theory in a democratic society. The course examines the influence of interest groups in American politics at the federal and state levels. Prerequisites: EN 102 and either POL 103 or POL 104. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: SS-2. (3) |
POL 315 The PresidencyA survey of the historical development and the constitutional powers of the office. The course analyzes the principal roles in national and world politics played by modern presidents. Prerequisites: EN 102 and either POL 103 or POL 104. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: SS-2. (3) |
POL 320 The CongressA review of the history of Congress and a description of its functions, its structure, and the legislative process. The course examines current and historical issues that relate to the proper role of Congress in the American scheme of government. Prerequisites: grade of C or better in POL 104 or POL 230, and a grade of C or better in POL 250 or its equivalent, or permission of instructor. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: SS-2. (3) |
POL 325 Voting BehaviorA study of the voting behavior of the American electorate and its representatives and the causes of that behavior. Prerequisites: EN 102 and either POL 103 or POL 104. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: SS-2. (3) |
POL 330 Judicial PoliticsThis course examines the judicial system and its larger impact on U.S. political life. The course addresses the main actors, trial courts, appellate courts, and the court system’s role in a representative democracy. Prerequisite: EN 102 and either POL 103 or POL 104. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: SS-2. (3) |
POL 332 American Foreign PolicyA history of the policies of the United States toward other governments and analysis of the principal factors to be considered in formulating and executing American foreign policy. Prerequisites: grade of C or better in POL 102 and POL 250 or any other WI course, or permission of instructor. (3) |
POL 333 United States Constitutional HistoryA study of the evolution of several issues of American Constitutional Law. (3) |
POL 335 American Constitutional Law IAn introduction to the federal judiciary in American government and a survey of the principal decisions of constitutional law that have influenced the development of the American polity. Prerequisite: grade of C or better in EN 102. (3) |
POL 336 American Constitutional Law IIA survey of the principal court decisions concerning individual rights under the United States Constitution. Prerequisites: grade of C or better in EN 102. (3) |
POL 375 Politics of Environmental IssuesA survey of environmental and natural resource policy and politics. Examines the ways governments use policies to address natural resource and environmental issues at the local, regional, and international levels, and the underlying ideological and institutional factors that shape environmental policy debates. Prerequisites: EN 102 and a grade of C or better in POL 102, POL 103, or POL 104, or permission of instructor. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: SS-2. (3) |
POL 380 Politics of Latin AmericaExamines the systems of government of countries in Latin America — including Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America — and their relations with each other and with major countries outside the region. Prerequisite: EN 102 and either POL 102 or POL 103. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: GP, SS-2, WI. (3) |
POL 381 Politics of Sub-Saharan AfricaExamines the systems of government of countries in Africa south of the Sahara — including but not limited to the DR Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda — and their relations with each other and with major countries outside the region. Prerequisite: EN 102 and either POL 102 or POL 103. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: GP, SS-2, WI. (3) |
POL 382 Politics of Western EuropeExamines the systems of government of countries in Western Europe — including but not limited to France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom — and their relations with each other and with major countries outside the region. Prerequisite: EN 102 and either POL 102 or POL 103. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: GP, SS-2, WI. (3) |
POL 385 Politics of South AsiaExamines the systems of government of countries in South Asia — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka — and their relations with each other and with major countries outside the region. Prerequisite: EN 102 and either POL 102 or POL 103. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: GP, SS-2, WI. (3) |
POL 386 Politics of East AsiaExamines the systems of government of countries in East Asia — including China (PRC), Mongolia, North and South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan — and their relations with each other and with major countries outside the region. Prerequisite: EN 102 and either POL 102 or POL 103. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: GP, SS-2, WI. (3) |
POL 388 Politics of North AmericaExamines the systems of government of Canada, the United States, and Mexico and their relations with each other. Prerequisite: EN 102 and either POL 102, POL 103, or POL 104. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: GP, SS-2. (3) |
POL 400 InternshipSenior students may register for an internship with cooperating public service agencies in the greater Washington area. Prerequisite: permission of the dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: EXP. (3) |
POL 420 Senior SeminarProvides an opportunity for majors to explore more thoroughly a subject previously studied in the politics curriculum. The focus of each seminar is a student paper demonstrating appropriate skill in research and writing on political topics. Offered spring semester only. Prerequisites: POL 250. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: DSINQ, WI. (3) |
POL 421 ProjectAn investigation of a selected topic in the emphasis discipline. The project is intended to demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research and present the results in writing of commendable quality. Prerequisite: permission of the dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. (3) |