113 courses with the subject POL, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
The nature of politics, political principles, and political institutions, with emphasis on their application to the United States. Not open to seniors majoring or minoring in Politics and International Affairs. (D)
An analysis of political institutions, processes, and policy issues in selected countries. Case studies will be drawn from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Not open to seniors majoring or minoring in Politics and International Affairs. (CD, D)
Introduces the major concepts, questions, and ideas from across the history of political thought, to examine the nature of politics and the moral and ethical aspects of political life. Not open to seniors majoring or minoring in Politics and International Affairs. (D)
Surveys the forces which shape relations among states and some of the major problems of contemporary international politics. Not open to seniors majoring or minoring in Politics and International Affairs. (CD, D)
Exploring American First Ladies as political and social actors.
A study of the various political elements which affect the modern Spanish state. Counts as an elective for the Spanish major. s POL 203. Girls’ Stories: Race, Politics, Pedagogy. (3 h) Study of American politics through investigation of stories written by and about American girls in the 20th and 21st centuries.
Study of American politics through investigation of stories written by and about American girls in the 20th and 21st centuries.
Examines the politics of credit and debt in the United States with an emphasis on the consumer experience, racial politics, and interview research. (CD)
Examines how individuals develop opinions and the strengths, weaknesses of surveys. Students' final project is a survey research project which assesses the extent that the university is fulfilling its Pro Humanitate motto. Service-learning course. (QR)
Analyzes American racial politics using critical and historical approaches coupled with discussion of contemporary issues. (CD, POR)
Explores the origins and current state of United States policies on the environment, the politics that have produced those policies, and how both continue to evolve. Attention to the policy formation process, the institutions and groups that influence American policy concerning the environment, and the major environmental laws and controversies surrounding them, with particular attention to the role and functioning of the US Environmental Protection Agency. While focusing on the American experience, recognizes the impacts of US policies on the rest of the world.
An intensive study of one or more major topics in contemporary United States politics and policy. Course may be retaken for credit if topic varies. Prerequisites may vary; check with the department.
An examination of party competition, party organizations, the electorate and electoral activities of parties, and the responsibilities of parties for governing.
Examines the contemporary United States policymaking process. Special attention to ways issues become important and contributions of different political actors, institutions, and ideologies in the passage or rejection of policy proposals. Considers a range of social, economic, and regulatory policies.
Examines patterns of economic inequality in the United States, weighs competing causal explanations for changing distributions of income and wealth, and investigates the effects of this inequality on American democracy.
Examines the contemporary role of Latinas/os/xs as a U.S. minority group with emphasis on Latina/o/x immigration to the U.S. and North Carolina, immigration attitudes, Latina/o/x representation, political identity, political participation, education and interracial coalition formations. Service-learning course. (POR)
An examination of the role and responsibilities of citizens in democratic policymaking. Includes discussion of democratic theory, emphasis on a policy issue of national importance (i.e. poverty, crime, environment), and involvement of students in projects that examine the dimension of the issue in their community. Service Learning.
Black women’s participation in American politics and media.
Exploration of the relationship between the political system and the mass media. Two broad concerns will be the regulation of the mass media and the impact of media on political processes and events. Combined Bulletin 2026-2027 261
An examination of the composition, authority structures, external influences, and procedures of Congress with emphasis on their implications for policymaking in the United States.
Examines political participation in the United States, with emphasis on electoral and non-electoral avenues through which individuals and groups wield influence in politics and government, including voting, interest groups, and social movements. Service-learning course.
Explores the interaction of the presidential office and the individual contemporary presidents in an evolving political context.
An examination of institutions, processes, and policies at the state level, with emphasis on the different patterns of governance in the various states and the consequences of the recent revitalization of state governments.
Examines the political structures and processes in American cities and suburbs as they relate to the social, economic, and political problems of the metropolis. Service-learning course. (CD)
A survey of selected topics, including African American political participation, political organizations, political leadership, and political issues. It will also show the relationship of these phenomena to American political institutions and processes as a whole.
Federal System. (3 h) Analysis of Supreme Court decisions affecting the three branches of the national government and federal/state relations.
Analysis of Supreme Court decisions involving the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Analysis of the intersection of law and democratic politics through consideration of judicial selection, judicial decision making, and the roles of various legal actors, including judges, lawyers, and juries.
Introduces students to some of the most popular and contentious contemporary education policy debates and discusses what the U.S. school system tells us about the country's fundamental political commitments.
Analyzes the historical antecedents of Western European regime outcomes in the interwar period in order to explain the survival or collapse of democracy in the 1920s and 1930s in Great Britain, France, Germany, and Italy. Explores contrasting responses to economic, social, and political challenges since the middle ages, including the commercialization of agriculture, national unification, revolution, and the timing and strength of industrialization.
Comparative analysis of political institutions, processes, and policy issues in selected West European countries. Special attention will be given to case studies involving Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy and to the process of European integration.
Analysis of the political, economic, and social patterns of the region, emphasizing the dynamics and divergent outcomes following the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, Russia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. (SWC)
Study of the historical legacy, political behavior, and governmental institutions of contemporary Germany.
Introduces the nature and content of contemporary United Kingdom politics by placing those politics in a wider analysis of United Kingdom history, society, and international positions. (CD)
Combines different approaches to the study of Europe by examining European integration-as highlighted by the development of the European Union-through the lenses of history, politics, culture, and economics.
Comparative analysis of the institutions and processes of politics in the Latin American region. (CD)
Examines the historical development and cross-national variation of welfare states in advanced industrial societies, including the United States and Western European democracies. Assesses characteristic policy challenges and responses across a number of shared domains, including pensions, health care, anti-poverty programs, family benefits, and labor-market policy.
Overview of the relationship among economic development, socio- structural change, and politics since the creation of the international capitalist system in the sixteenth century. Explores classic debates and paradigms in political economy and applies them to particular policy and institutional domains, including macroeconomic policy, finance, globalization, the challenges of late development, and the welfare state.
Introduces a range of important case studies of national economic performance to illustrate the role of public policy in economic performance in a number of leading industrial economies (the U.S., United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, China, and Japan).
Looks at the policy of dilemmas that both restored and new democracies face when dealing with past human rights violations and how they engage in structuring the domain of human rights in a changed global environment. (CD)
Examines the opportunities and constraints facing modern India across a range of issues including politics, international relations, economics, religion, caste and the environment.
An intensive study of one or more major topics in contemporary comparative politics. Course may be retaken for credit if topic varies. Prerequisites may vary; check with the department.
This course addresses the politics of appropriation of public resources for private gain, with a focus on why corruption levels vary across countries, why people choose to participate in corruption, and the effects of corruption on politics and the economy.
Surveys major issues related to politics and governance in Southeast Asia, with examples drawn from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, and Thailand.
This course is concerned with the role of ethnicity in world politics. It focuses on both theoretical and substantive issues relating to: (a) the nature of ethnicity and ethnic group identity; (b) the sources of ethnic conflict; (c) the politics of ethnic conflict; (d) the policy management of ethnic conflict; and (e) international intervention in ethnic conflict.
A survey of major issues relevant to politics and policy in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. (CD)
Explores major issues related to the political construction and mobilization of identity, and the production of pathological outcomes including violence, discrimination, and marginalization of the ethnic, religious, national, and sexual “other”.
A survey of the political institutions and processes in China (People's Republic of China and Republic of China). Emphasis on group conflict, elites, ideology, as well as current policy changes in the process of modernization.
Examines ethical dilemmas of providing humanitarian assistance during conflict, including Afghanistan, Bosnia, Nigeria, and the Holocaust. Debates political and moral reasoning that underpins international laws of war.
Broadly addresses the phenomena of U.S. involvement in two ongoing conflicts-the Afghanistan war and the Iraq war. Focuses on the respective domestic and international politics and policies of the four main actors relevant to the conflicts: U.S., Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq.
Addresses major questions about forced migration in international politics, such as: What causes people to flee their homes? What are the effects of forced displacement on the host communities? How should considerations of human rights and international law affect our understanding of forced migration?.
An intensive study of one or more major topics of contemporary international politics. Course may be retaken for credit if topic varies. Prerequisites may vary; check with the department.
Analyzes major issues in the global political economy including theoretical approaches to understanding the tension between politics and economics, monetary and trade policy, North-South relations, environmentalism, human rights and democratization.
Analyzes the historical and theoretical perspectives shaping U.S. engagement with the world past and present. Applies this understanding to current problems in U.S. foreign policy.
A historical survey and analysis of terrorism and other forms of political violence, such as insurgency and guerrilla warfare involving state and non-state actors. Focuses on a variety of cases along with and examination of the challenges of counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency in the contemporary global system.
Explores various theoretical approaches to security studies and contemporary security issues, with special attention to domestic variables, the use of force, strategic culture, weapons of mass destruction, the political economy of national security, and terrorism.
Examines why some nations develop at a quite fast pace while others - even when rich in natural resources - don't. Explores the impact of colonial history, state-formation, civil conflicts, governance issues, and rising powers on economic growth and development.
Examines the foreign policy decision making in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka vis-a-vis each other and major powers such as the U.S., Russia, and China.
3 POL 263 U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East 3 3 POL 274 Arab and Islamic Political Thought 3 3 Counseling (CNS) The Department of Counseling offers courses at the graduate and 3 undergraduate levels. 3 The Health and Human Services minor allows students to learn basic concepts and skills applicable to allied helping fields that are identified as health and human services. The goal of health and human services work 3 is to improve the quality of life for those who are served and facilitate 3 positive changes for individuals and communities. Therefore this minor 3 focuses on knowledge and abilities for the service professions such as 3 counseling, social work, medicine, dentistry, health policy, allied medical sciences, athletic training, physical therapy, and health promotion. Students supplement their major field of study by learning skills related to health and human services. Program of Study GPA Calculation All courses that could potentially fulfill a program of study requirement 3 will be utilized in the calculation of the student’s program of study GPA.
An analytical survey of United States interaction with East Asia, with special emphasis on the strategic security and the political economy of the region. (CD)
Analyzes major issues in public international law including sources of international law, state sovereignty, territorial jurisdiction, treaties, peaceful settlement of disputes, human rights, and the relationship between international law and domestic law.
A survey of the philosophy, principles, organizational structure, and decision-making procedures of international organizations. In addition to the United Nations system, this course will analyze various international organizations in issues such as collective security, trade, economic development, human rights protection, and the environment.
A critical analysis of U.S. foreign policy with respect to the Middle East since the Second World War. This course utilizes a case study method of instruction.
Examines moral dilemmas in international politics with reference to theories and cases. Topics include just war doctrine, responsibility of rich countries toward poor countries, exportability of capitalism and democracy, and legitimacy of humanitarian intervention. (EI)
Explores alternative ways of thinking about the “international” other than through mainstream (Eurocentric) International Relations (IR) theories and frameworks. (CD) Combined Bulletin 2026-2027 263
Examines and assesses competing theories of civil war, including economic, ethnic, religious, and ideological explanations. It also addresses dilemmas raised by civil war such as the spread of HIV/AIDS, the proliferation of private security companies, and the abuse of humanitarian aid.
Explores various facets of the world of intelligence and espionage in international politics, including intelligence collection and analysis, covert action, counterintelligence, the role of foreign intelligence agencies the relationship of the intelligence community to other political institutions, and important ethical issues and controversies in the field of intelligence today.
Explores various approaches to conflict resolution through readings, case studies, and simulations. Issues include: negotiation and mediation, dealing with war criminals, tradeoffs between justice and peace, and the role of the international community.
An intensive study of one or more major topics in political theory. Course may be retaken for credit if topic varies. Prerequisites may vary; check with the department.
Explores the question of agency in relation to ethics with attention to practices of ethics that focus on judgment. Selected writings from Aristotle, Arendt, and Foucault.
Examination of the nature and goals of classical political theorizing, which may include thinkers from the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean—such as the Greek city-states and the Roman Republic--as well as China, the Middle East, and indigenous societies.
Examination of the theoretical underpinnings of democracy and some of the critiques of those foundations. Focus will be on understanding some of the major theories of democracy and on how key democratic concepts are defined differently within these various traditions.
Examines Marx's early humanistic writings, his later philosophy, the vicissitudes of 20th-century Marxism and attempts to reorient Marx's theory in light of developments in contemporary political thought and practice.
Examines the history, basic concepts, central questions and preoccupations of political thought in the Arab region, while critically analyzing what it means to engage political theory comparatively. (CD,
Examines texts from the founding to the present that consider debates over the Constitution and the power of government; liberal and republican theories of citizenship; race, class and gender inequality; tensions between diversity and national identity; theories of justice; and the development of progressive, conservative, and libertarian political ideologies in the United States.
Political thought from Machiavelli to the present, including such topics as moral and natural rights, positive and negative freedom, social contract theory, alienation and citizenship. Selected writings from, for example, Machiavelli, Locke, Rousseau, Mill, Marx, and Rawls. (EI)
Introduction to feminist thought and its implications for the study and practice of political theory. Topics include feminist critiques of the Western political tradition and schools of feminist political theory. Also listed as WGS 301. (CD, POR)
Examines technology and innovation with a focus on various approaches to ethics for conceptualizing and evaluating the violent purposes and uses of technology and technological development among state and non-state actors. Covers historical and contemporary cases.
Overview of the qualitative and quantitative methods prominent in studying political science. Attention is given to the relationships between theory, method, and findings by focusing on the need to make systematic empirical observations. P-STA 111 must be taken before or concurrently with this course.
Explores the human relationship to the natural world and the implications of this relationship to political issues, such as the preservation of wilderness, industrialization, consumerism, public and private ownership, and social justice. (EI)
Explores the life, political philosophy, and the method of non-violent coercion (satyagraha) of Gandhi. Students define and implement group projects designed to promote change within the context of Gandhian methodology. Service-learning course.
Applies experimental techniques to draw causal inferences about political and social behavior. Students pose a research question, design an experiment, gain IRB approval, collect data, analyze the results, and write a paper reporting their findings.
Study and application of interactive data visualizations using software common in consulting and research firms. Studies principles of data visualization alongside practical instruction on building and presenting analyses. P-POL 280 or prerequisite override required.
Intensive study of one or more topics in the discipline. May not be used to meet one of the four area requirements. May be repeated for credit. Up to 6 hours may be counted toward the major.
Examines the most important elements of institutional design in democracies, including forms of representation, executive branch structure, legislatures, the regional distribution of power, and electoral systems.
Examines the various methods, dynamics, and challenges of statemaking in an increasingly globalized world, with a focus on methods of leaders' recruitment, public service provisions, boundary and order maintenance. Covers historical and contemporary examples from countries in the Global South.
Explores major issues in European security in the post-Cold War era. Topics include NATO, the role of the European Union/the OSCE, and relations with Russia, with emphasis on the challenges to European security posed by Russia.
Prepares students for the quantitative analysis of social data, including causal inference techniques, using R and RStudio. P-POL 280. (QR)
Intensive research leading to the completion of an analytical paper conducted under the direction of a faculty member. Students initiate the project and secure the permission of an appropriate instructor. May be repeated for credit, however only 3 total hours of credit from POL 387, POL 388, and POL 389 may count toward the major. P-Prerequisite override required.
Concentrated reading in an area of study not otherwise available. Students initiate the project and secure the permission of an appropriate instructor. May be repeated for credit, however only 3 total hours of credit from POL 387, POL 388, and POL 389 may count toward the major. P-Prerequisite override required.
Field work in a public or private setting with related readings and an analytical paper under the direction of a faculty member. Students initiate the project and secure the permission of an appropriate instructor. Normally one course in an appropriate subfield is taken prior to the internship. May be repeated for credit, however only 3 total hours of credit from POL 387, POL 388, and POL 389 may count toward the major. P- Prerequisite override required.
Readings and research on selected topics. P-POL 280 and STA 111 and prerequisite override required.
Examination of party competition, party organizations, the electorate and electoral activities of parties, and the responsibilities of parties for governing.
Exploration of the relationship between the political system and the mass media. Two broad concerns are the regulation of the mass media and the impact of media on political processes and events.
Examination of the composition, authority structures, external influences, and procedures of Congress with emphasis on their implications for policymaking in the United States.
Explores the interaction of the presidential office and the individual contemporary presidents in an evolving political context.
Examines classical and contemporary studies of how gender structures politics, including the political participation of women and other gendered social groups, as well as current policy issues.
Analysis of the political, economic, and social patterns of the region emphasizing the internal dynamics and divergent outcomes of the regime transitions after the fall of communism in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.
Comparative analysis of the institutions and processes of politics in the Latin American region.
Survey of major issues relevant to politics and policy in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
Explores the interrelationship of Islam and politics in the contemporary world. Deals with Islam as a political ideology which shapes the structure of political institutions and behavior. Looks at Islam in practice by examining the interaction between Islam and the political systems of Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and others.
Broadly addresses the phenomena of U.S. involvement in two ongoing conflicts -- the Afghanistan war and the Iraq war. Focuses on the respective domestic and international politics and policies of the four main actors relevant to the conflicts: U.S., Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq.
Analyzes major issues in the global political economy including theoretical approaches to understanding the tension between politics and economics, monetary and trade policy, North-South relations, environmentalism, human rights, and democratization.
Analyzes the historical and theoretical prespectives shaping U.S. engagement with the world past and present. Applies the understanding to current problems in U.S. foreign Policy.
Explores the nature and scope of the conflict with particular emphasis on the time period post-1967 and the respective policies of the three most significant actors in the conflict: the U.S., Israel and Palestine.
Critical analysis of U.S. foreign policy with respect to the Middle East since the second World War. Utilizes a case study method of instruction.
Examines the historical and theoretical underpinnings of democracy and some of the critiques of those foundations. Focuses on understanding some of the major and competing traditions of democracy theory and how key democratic concepts are reconceptualized within these various traditions.
Examines Marx’s early humanistic writings, his later philosophy, the vicissitudes of 20th century Marxism and attempts to reorient Marx’s theory in light of developments in contemporary political thought and practice.
Examines major themes, concepts and theories in feminist political thought. Themes explored include schools of feminist thinking, feminism's diverse expressions over time, theories of the interlocking systems of oppressions, and the connection between theory and practice.
Investigates the ways in which concepts of identity have informed political norms, structure, and practices; the myriad forms identity takes (particularly gender, sexual orientation, class, race, religion, and ethnicit drawing on examples from across the globe, and theoretical approaches proposed for engaging differences.
Intensive research leading to the completion of an analytical paper conducted under the direction of a faculty member. Students initiate the project and secure the permission of an appropriate instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours, only three of which may count toward the major. P-POI.
Concentrated reading in an area of study not otherwise available. Students are responsible for initiating the project and securing the permission of an appropriate instructor. P-POI.
Field work in a public or private setting with related readings and an analytical paper under the direction of a faculty member. Students are responsible for initiating the project and securing the permission of an appropriate instructor. Normally one course in an appropriate subfield is taken prior to the internship. P-POI.
Source: Wake Forest University's catalog, linked per course · table learning_unit · CourseShelf publish 61
