Political Science
Division of Social Sciences
The political science major is designed to provide an understanding of the political forces, institutions, ideas, and problems of contemporary society. The curriculum prepares students for graduate studies and professional careers in law, politics, teaching, journalism, government, and international civil service. Our top faculty, our innovative teaching styles, and our emphasis on experiential learning set the study of political science at Washington College apart from other places. Political science students at Washington College benefit from the college’s close proximity to our nation’s capital as well as Annapolis, the Maryland state capital, and many of our students complete internships or volunteer to work for political parties, nongovernmental organizations or campaigns during election season.
Political science majors may become certified to teach secondary school social studies. To assure proper scheduling, students interested in this program should inform the chairs of both the Political Science and Education Departments as early as possible in their college careers. Students may double-major in Political Science and International Studies; however, those students will be required to take the Senior Seminar in International Studies instead of POL 401 Political Science Senior Seminar and take one additional course in Political Science.
POL SCE Senior Capstone Experience 2 Credits
The Senior Capstone Experience is an independent research project on a topic of the students choosing, culminating in a thesis of at least 30 pages and the presentation of their research at the Senior Symposium. This project is required of all majors in political science.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
POL 102 American Government and Politics 4 Credits
A study of the foundations, institutions, processes and policy issues of American government at the national level.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
POL 104 Introduction to World Politics 4 Credits
A general introduction to the study of world politics and international relations. The course focuses on the history and nature of the international system, the cold war and post cold war era, foreign policy behavior, arms control, conflict, nationalism, international political economy, environmental problems, terrorism and human rights.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
POL 194 Special Topics 4 Credits
The department occasionally offers a course on a special topic in political science that is not a part of the regular course offerings.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
POL 197 Independent Study 4 Credits
Students may receive credit for an individualized course of reading and writing under the supervision of a faculty advisor. The requirements of the course will be specified in a learning contract drawn up by the student and advisor. 45 hours required per credit.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
POL 201 Theories of Peace and Conflict 4 Credits
The course reviews theoretical and philosophical approaches to understanding and explaining conflict and peace, including theories of violence and nonviolence. The first half of the course addresses the causes of conflict at the individual, group, and systems level. We also review modern thinking on the relationship between gender and conflict. The second half of the course addresses the theoretical considerations of peace, including positive and negative peace, and the realization of peace through strength, negotiations, justice and personal transformation.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, All Years
POL 202 Justice, Power, and Political Thought 4 Credits
This course introduces students to the study of political philosophy by examining the ways of many of the most influential political theorists have struggled to define the nature of justice, as well as developing an understanding of how theorists have approached the question of founding just regimes; ensuring that just systems of government operate legitimately once established; and assessing the major causes for the deterioration of regimes based on justice.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, All Years
POL 209 Political Data Analysis 4 Credits
This course introduces current research techniques employed by political scientists and other social scientists. Our concentration is on quantitative methods used to investigate political questions. You learn how to work with large political science data sets and write and present detailed data analysis reports. You also learn how to present data using infographics. The course concludes with a large survey research project, in which you write your own survey, collect the data, analyze the results, and present them formally in written and oral form. After taking this course, you will have gained familiarity with SPSS, a common statistical software used by social scientists, and learn more about descriptive statistics, sampling theory and tests of statistical significance.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, All Years
POL 290 Political Science Internship 4 Credits
Students may receive course credit for an individualized internship at a political organization, under the supervision of a faculty advisor. The details of the internship and associated academic requirements will be specified in a learning contract drawn up by the student and advisor.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
POL 294 Special Topics 4 Credits
The department occasionally offers a course on a special topic in political science that is not a part of the regular course offerings.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
POL 297 Independent Study 4 Credits
Students may receive credit for an individualized course of reading and writing under the supervision of a faculty advisor. The requirements of the course will be specified in a learning contract drawn up by the student and advisor. 45 hours required per credit.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
POL 310 Parties and Interest Groups 4 Credits
Political Parties and Interest Groups are the primary means by which the public exert influence over American politics. They represent the desires of their constituents and enable citizens to pursue common goals more efficiently than acting alone. However, Parties and Interest Groups are also institutions with their own desires and have the capacity to influence (manipulate) the public. We are left with the squestion of who leads who and what does all this mean for our democracy? These questions become increasingly important in an age of heightened political polarization and campaign spending. This course explores these questions by examining the formation, evolution, and behavior of political parties and interest groups in American politics. Among other topics, we analyze their organization and structure, how they recruit and mobilize, and their role in policymaking and campaigns.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, Odd Years
POL 311 Congress & Political Polarization 4 Credits
As polarization has intensified among political elites and the public, conflict between and within political parties has resulted in near gridlock on all but the most urgent of legislative issues. Why has this happened? How do the formal and informal rules of the legislative process perpetuate this dysfunction? And most importantly, what can we do about it? It is with these questions in mind that we explore the historical development of the United States Congress, its procedures and organizational structure, its relationship to the Executive and Judicial branches, and the ways in which voters hold lawmakers electorally accountable. In short, we explore the electoral and institutional forces that shape the membership of Congress and the institution's (in)capacity to govern. To enrich the learning experience, students participate in a semester-long simulation as U.S. Senators where they draft, debate and vote on legislation.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, Odd Years
POL 312 The American Presidency 4 Credits
The Presidency has evolved into the most powerful institution in American politics. While the Founders envisioned a glorified clerk executing the will of Congress, the Modern President is expected to enhance the safety, stability, and prosperity of the nation largely on his own. Presidential power has expanded considerably to accomplish these goals, but so too has their ability to sidestep the checks and balances system - posing serious questions for the future of our Democracy. Through an examination of key moments in presidential history, this course explains this evolution and its political implications. In particular, we explore the contexts in which these expansions of power have occurred and how presidents build legitimacy for these changes among the public. We also consider the effect that these changes have had on elections, political polarization, and the general functioning of our government.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, Odd Years
POL 313 Campaigns and Elections 4 Credits
Campaigns and Elections are the cornerstone of American democracy. Through our readings and discussions, you learn how political campaigns are won and lost and, in the process, gain an understanding of the fundamental factors that drive elections and some of the technical skills employed by political professionals. But this course is about more than memorizing facts and theories - it is designed to foster your ability to think critically and apply what you have learned to the real world. As such, we participate in a semester long simulation of the upcoming Midterm/Presidential campaign. Working in groups, you develop campaign advertisements and a social media presence along with making strategic decisions about where to build field offices, hold fundraisers and campaign events, and how much media time to purchase. As individuals, you draft strategic memos that incorporate the course material to analyze the current state of the simulated campaign along with developing proposals for group assignments. While only one campaign will win on Election Day, you will all gain invaluable experience and insight into the world of Campaigns and Elections.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, Even Years
POL 314 Religion and Politics in the U.S. 4 Credits
This course is designed to analyze the nature of the relationship between religion and various aspects of politics in the United States. The course considers why religion and politics are so thoroughly interwoven in the United States by examining the religion-politics relationship in historical and theoretical perspective. The course also analyzes how religion affects American politics at the mass and elite levels. Lastly, the course considers church-state conflicts in American jurisprudence by examining some of the most hotly contested Supreme Court cases dealing with First Amendment issues. Prerequisite: Political Science 102 or permission of the instructor.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, Non Conforming
POL 317 State and Local Politics 4 Credits
This course focuses on the interactions among the three levels of government in the United States as well as on the institutional structures of state and municipal governments. It concentrates on the interaction among governments as a significant portion of the policy-making process. The course discusses the changing roles over time of different levels of government.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, Non Conforming
POL 320 Law and Society 4 Credits
A study of the American system of criminal justice. The major emphases of the course are the operation of the institutions and processes of the system, the constitutional rights of those accused of crime, and the social goals and consequences of criminal punishment.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, All Years
POL 321 Women and Politics 4 Credits
This course examines the role of women as voters, citizens, candidates, and leaders in American politics, grounded in theories of gender. Attention is given to the history of the women's movement and the current status of women's organizations. The course also focuses on how various public policies, including workplace issues, family issues, education issues and reproductive rights, affect women and their legal rights.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, Non Conforming
POL 323 Constitutional Law 4 Credits
An analysis of the distribution of power among the three branches of the federal government, and between the federal and state levels of government, as specified in major decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court. The Court itself is studied as a political institution, with emphasis on its role in a democratic political system. The course also includes a study of the constitutional rights of individuals, as specified by the U.S. Supreme Court, with primary emphasis on issues of freedom and equality.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, All Years
POL 324 American Political Thought 4 Credits
A study of the influence of values and ideologies upon the formation, evolution, and operation of the American constitutional and political system. In deference to the pragmatic character of American political thought, the course focuses on the writings of American statesmen as they confronted such continuing problems as the nature of the Union, the contest between economic power and democratic power, and the responsibility of government for individual and social welfare. The course concludes with a consideration of the relevance of American political doctrines for the contemporary issues of public policy.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, Even Years
POL 331 Enduring Topics Westrn Political Thought 4 Credits
A critical study of the enduring problems of political philosophy as treated by the major thinkers in the Western political tradition. The emphasis of the course is upon the fundamental choice of values which underlies the design of every system of government. The course thus examines how such writers as Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, and Marx have formulated and attempted to resolve the conflicting demands of freedom and order, law and justice, authority and obligation, and the individual and the state.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, Odd Years
POL 334 Media and Politics 4 Credits
This course explores the role of the media in politics from various perspectives, providing an overview of the following: the history of media in the United States; the legal issues that relate to the media; the impact that the media has on public opinion; the substance (or lack of substance) of the media's coverage of the news, government and elections; biases of the news media; and the increasing conglomeration of the news media through mergers. Throughout the course, these issue areas will be discussed in a larger context involving questions of freedom, representation, and political participation.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, Non Conforming
POL 341 Politics of Development 4 Credits
This course focuses on the political and economic challenges confronted by developing countries, including democratization, gender, nationalism and regional integration, trade, foreign investment, and sustainable development. The course also examines issues of development theory and practice in developing countries of Latin America, Asia and Africa.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, All Years
POL 344 Comparative Government: Western Europe 4 Credits
A comparative study of the governmental structures and organizations, as well as the political cultures and processes, of the diverse states of Western Europe, with special focus on the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Also included is the study of the European Union and its process of expansion into Central Europe.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, Even Years
POL 345 Democracy in Asia: Past and Future 4 Credits
This course provides a broad overview of the different governmental structures and organizations, as well as history and political cultures, of a range of states in Asia, including Japan, the Koreas, China, India, and the countries of Southeast Asia. Particular attention will be paid to the link between culture, identity and variations in democratic practices.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, Even Years
POL 348 Latin American Politics 4 Credits
An introduction to the politics of Latin America. Attention is given to the historical and cultural context of political institutions and behavior, the roles of traditional and emerging groups and forces, political instability, and the decision-making process under different types of regimes. Case studies of individual countries are selected on the basis of their contemporary importance and representativeness of general political problems.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, Odd Years
POL 351 Politics, Religion, Ethnicity in S. Asia 4 Credits
This is a survey of contemporary politics in South Asia (Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka). It examines the impact of British colonialism on state formation, the internal politics since the 1940s, and the relationship of these countries to each other and with the major external powers (U.S., Russia, and People's Republic of China) influencing the region.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, Odd Years
POL 356 Africa in the World 4 Credits
This course centers African states and the African continent within contemporary global processes and discourses. Attention is given to the structures of power in political economy, colonial relationships, independence and social justice movements, and discourses and depictions in international media and policy. Case studies of individual countries are presented alongside specific international institutions and issues in order to interrogate the meaning of Africa in the world.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, Odd Years
POL 370 Global Environmental Politics 4 Credits
This course explores environmental issues in a global context, with particular attention paid to international cooperation, international law, and the roles of governments, institutions, NGOs and social movements. The course also focuses on the impact of environmental problems and cooperation on countries in the Global South/North.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, Non Conforming
POL 371 International Politics 4 Credits
A study of an integrated theoretical framework for analyzing the behaviors of nation-states in the international political arena, as well as of selected critical issues and areas in contemporary international politics. Normally included in the study are nuclear weapons systems and their implications in international politics; nuclear arms negotiations and agreements; East-West relations; the triangular relationship among the United States, the former Soviet Union, and China; the Arab-Israeli conflict; the Third World's non-alignment movement, and the North-South tensions. Students who have taken Political Science 302 at Rhodes University will not receive credit for this course.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, Even Years
POL 373 Human Rights & Social Justice 4 Credits
This course is designed to provide an introduction to the history, philosophy and major debates on human rights and social justice. Students consider the philosophical and political positions underlying the debates that are central to the promotion of human rights, including gender, universalism and cultural relativism. The course also covers contemporary issues in the international human rights and social justice movement, including the right to development and freedom from poverty, women's human rights, minority rights, torture, slavery and genocide. Group work and the creation of a public awareness campaign are required course assignments.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, Even Years
POL 374 International Organization & Law 4 Credits
A study of organized human efforts made throughout history to promote international cooperation and peace. Special attention is given to the principles and rules of international law regulating national conduct in international affairs, the League of Nations, the United Nations, and contemporary blueprints for world federation and government.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, Odd Years
POL 375 International Political Economy 4 Credits
This course is a study of the relationship between international politics and economics. It examines theories of international political economy, including Liberal, Mercantilist, and Radical. Using these themes, the course analyzes the history of political economy, the relationship between economics and politics, trade, foreign investment, economic aid, development, dependency, interdependency, and the role of the United States in the global political economy.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, Even Years
POL 380 American Foreign Policy 4 Credits
A brief historical survey of American diplomacy and analytical study of factors conditioning American foreign policy; the constitutional basis of U.S. foreign relations; the concepts of American national interest and goals; the structure and processes of decision-making and policy-execution; the organization of, and relations among, the White House, Department of State, Department of Defense, other Executive organs, and Congress; and America's current involvement in world affairs.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, All Years
POL 382 U.S.- Latin American Relations 4 Credits
A study of U.S. foreign policy and Latin America since the Monroe Doctrine. Attention is given to the interests of Latin American nations in their relationship with each other and with other areas of the world, with special emphasis on the post-World War II period.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, Non Conforming
POL 384 International Relations of East Asia 4 Credits
The course seeks to expand student knowledge of important past political events and contemporary political issues related to the international relations of East Asia, including U.S.-East Asia relations; to introduce students to a new terminology based in international relations theory, including the contentiousness of some terms, major thinkers associated with these terms and theories, and how general international relations theory has been applied to the case of East Asia; and, to assist students in applying their new knowledge of terminology and theory to better understand past and contemporary political interactions in East Asia.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, Non Conforming
POL 386 Comparative Peace Processes 4 Credits
This course focuses on contemporary conflicts and efforts at peacebuilding in a comparative perspective. Drawing on cases such as Bosnia, El Salvador, Northern Ireland, and Rwanda, the course examines the roots of conflict, theories of peace, methods of peacebuilding, transitional justice, reconciliation, and international cooperation. Simulations are used to enable students to understand the dynamics of the peace process.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, Odd Years
POL 388 U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East 4 Credits
In recent decades, the Middle East has proved to be one of the most troubling as well as important parts of the world. The war in Iraq, the standoff with Iran, the regular failure to find a diplomatic solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the continuing danger posed by Al Qaeda all testify to the intractability of the region's problems. This course focuses on US foreign policy in the Middle East. The United States has grappled with the region's persistent and cross cutting conflicts, and confronted fundamental questions about the use of force, the role of allies and international law.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, Even Years
POL 389 Gender and Conflict 4 Credits
This course will explore the gendered dimensions of conflict, focusing on the post-Cold War period and paying particular attention to what feminists have described as the continuum of violence, from militarization of everyday living to overt violent conflict. Topics covered include the political economy of war, sexualized violence, the militarization of gendered bodies, gendered forms of cooperation with violence, and political activism.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, Even Years
POL 390 Political Science Internship 4 Credits
Students may receive course credit for an individualized internship at a political organization, under the supervision of a faculty advisor. The details of the internship and associated academic requirements will be specified in a learning contract drawn up by the student and advisor.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
POL 394 Special Topics 4 Credits
The department occasionally offers a course on a special topic in political science that is not a part of the regular course offerings.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
POL 397 Independent Study 4 Credits
Students may receive credit for an individualized course of reading and writing under the supervision of a faculty advisor. The requirements of the course will be specified in a learning contract drawn up by the student and advisor. 45 hours required per credit.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
POL 401 Political Science Senior Seminar 4 Credits
This course is an integrative, capstone course required for all graduating seniors that incorporates writing and research around a particular theme. Open only to seniors graduating that academic year.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, All Years
POL 419 MD General Assembly Internship 8 Credits
Students enrolled in this program spend two days per week as state legislative interns in Annapolis during the three-month legislative session. They also meet and do assignments for a weekly academic seminar on campus. Students may enroll in this program only by application to the Director. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA. Eight credits. (Note: this program counts as two political science courses.)
Term(s) Offered: Spring, All Years
POL 427 Washington Center Internship 12 Credits
A full-time, semester-long internship in Washington, DC, with a federal government, political, or non-profit agency. Depending upon their interest and internship placement, students may attend hearings, conduct policy research, draft correspondence, monitor legislation, lobby members of Congress, and write analytical reports. Students create an in-depth portfolio of their internship experience. Prerequisite: Successful application to The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars. This course is normally open only to juniors and seniors. Twelve credits. The internship package of Political Science 427, 428, and 429 yields 16 credits towards graduation and 8 credits towards the political science major or minor.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
POL 428 Washington Center Seminar 3 Credits
Washington Center Interns participate in an evening seminar selected from a variety of topics offered during the semester. Students engage in class discussion and may also research seminar topics, prepare written assignments, and take examinations. Required of and limited to students enrolled in Political Science 427. Three credits.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
POL 429 Washington Center Forum 1 Credit
Washington Center Interns participate in lectures, site visits, small group discussions, briefings, and other required events designed to help them understand the connection between their academic and professional goals and the special educational opportunities available through living and working in Washington, DC. Evaluations of these experiences are included in the student portfolio. Required of and limited to students enrolled in Political Science 427. One credit.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
POL 430 Oxford Sem on Religion, Pol, & Culture 4 Credits
This distinctive study abroad course involves intensive study at the University of Oxford. Students conduct individual research projects and attend seminars under the direction of Oxford University faculty. The topic of the Seminar engages issues at the intersection of religion, politics, and culture. The course begins with instructional meetings int he spring and concludes with an oral defense of a substantial research paper in the fall. The course involces 49 hours of direct instructional contact and additional experiential learning in the form of structured trips and attendance of a Shakespeare play in Stratford upon Avon.
Term(s) Offered: Summer, All Years
POL 471 Model Diplomacy 2 Credits
This two-credit course is offered as a complement to required delegate training for participation in an off-campus model diplomacy simulation. The course goes beyond the basics of delegate preparation (public speaking, model procedure, and familiarity with committee topics) to offer a broader framework for understanding the evolution of the practice of diplomacy, principal challenges facing diplomats today, and the role of diplomacy and the diplomat in the modern world. As part of the course, students are offered individualized feedback on their committee research for a model simulation, background information on important developments in international affairs and major international organizations, and the opportunity to reflect on the linkage between the model experience and the actual practice of international organizations in the 21st and previous centuries. Prerequisite: application and acceptance into a Model Diplomacy program.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, All Years
POL 473 Model United Nations 2 Credits
This two-credit course is offered as a complement to required delegate training for participation in an off-campus model United Nations simulation. The course goes beyond the basics of delegate preparation (public speaking, model procedure, and familiarity with committee topics) to offer a broader framework for understanding the evolution of the United Nations since its founding in 1945, principal challenges it faces today, and the role of diplomacy and the diplomat in the modern world. As part of the course, students are offered individualized feedback on their committee research for the model simulation, background information on important developments in international affairs and major international organizations, and the opportunity to reflect on the linkage between the model experience and the actual practice of international organizations in the 21st and previous centuries. Prerequisite: application and acceptance into a Model United Nations program.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, All Years
POL 490 Political Science Internship 4 Credits
Students may receive course credit for an individualized internship at a political organization, under the supervision of a faculty advisor. The details of the internship and associated academic requirements will be specified in a learning contract drawn up by the student and advisor.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
POL 494 Special Topics 4 Credits
The department occasionally offers a course on a special topic in political science that is not a part of the regular course offerings.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
POL 497 Independent Study 4 Credits
Students may receive credit for an individualized course of reading and writing under the supervision of a faculty advisor. The requirements of the course will be specified in a learning contract drawn up by the student and advisor. 45 hours required per credit.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years