87 courses with the subject POLI, 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.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. A study of American national government focusing on its underlying political ideas, constitutional basis, major institutions and their interaction in the determination of public policy.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. An introductory analysis of interstate relations and world affairs. Attention focuses on theories of international politics, military capabilities and their application, international organizations, global economic trends, domestic sources of state behavior and other selected issues as appropriate. Crosslisted as: INTL 105.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Introduces students to the great thinkers and ideas of political theory. Provides an analysis of the relationship between ethics and politics in contemporary democracy and current challenges to traditional democratic theory. Topics discussed may include the nature of human existence and civilization; political obligations between the state and the citizen and among citizens; attempts to justify authority; the content and uses of power; and the right to disobedience and resistance, freedom, social justice, and equality.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Introduces students to the ways in which societies around the world govern themselves. Covers such topics as the historical evolution of the political system, political processes and institutions, and key issues in contemporary public policy for a globally representative group of 10 to 15 countries.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of six credits. An exploration of several significant issues in American politics. Topics may include political polarization, political misinformation and disinformation, electoral reforms, activism and social movements, as well as selected others. Topics will vary with current events and trends in domestic politics.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. An overview of U.S. political parties and elections. Topics will include the history, organization and methods of U.S. political parties, presidential nominations and elections; Congressional elections.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. The main objectives of the course are to introduce and examine the personalities and activities of the modern Civil Rights Movement. The course provides the historical background leading up to the peak years of the struggle for racial equality in America. It has special focus on the events of the 1960s and particularly their implication for the current state of U.S. Civil Rights. Crosslisted as: AFAM 302.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. The study of the formation, expression and influence of individual and organized public opinion on political institutions in the U.S. Topics include how the public forms and expresses attitudes, how public opinion influences political outcomes and how public opinion is measured and analyzed.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Enrollment is restricted by permission of the instructor. The course explores the historical and political contexts of the U.S. presidential primary campaigning. It investigates how the primary process impacts the types of candidates who run for office, how it impacts the strategies those candidates adopt in the early stages of their campaigns versus later stages and how it impacts the ways candidates seek out money, media coverage and grassroots organizing in order to gain momentum in a primary campaign.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. An examination of political campaigns focusing on presidential elections. Analysis includes the study of electoral contexts, political mobilization, campaign organizational structures and strategies, campaign rhetoric, and the evolution of campaign-related technology such as polling and social media.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. A study of the behavior of legislators and the structures and processes of legislative decision making in the U.S. Congress. Analysis will include both the internal and external environment of congressional policy making, and an assessment of the impact of congressional policy.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Introduces students to the major theoretical approaches and empirical research in the field of mass political behavior, with a particular emphasis on how individuals develop their ideologies and party identifications, as well as how those and other factors shape political decisions.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. A political and institutional study of the chief executive, focusing especially on the presidential personality and relations with Congress, the bureaucracy, the courts and the shaping of domestic and foreign policy.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. An analysis of the nature of bureaucracy and bureaucratic phenomena in American governments; the role and involvement of the bureaucracy in politics and the policy-making process. Primary focus on theories and approaches to understanding the central role of bureaucracy in modern society and its use and abuse of power.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. An analytical survey of policy formulation and implementation in the United States, together with an examination of the impact of policy upon individuals and groups in American society.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. An exploration of the current controversy about environmental politics and the issues and crises it centers on. Special attention will be given to the constitutional, political and geographical factors in the development of environmental policy and the organized effort to deal with governmental actions and inaction and its impact on policy outcomes. Crosslisted as: ENVS 311.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Provides a general overview of how media influence political attitudes and political behavior. Students will analyze the role of new media, soft media and infotainment and how it mediates political messages to the general public. Students will also explore the effects of various types of communications on Americans' attitudes and behaviors, including the rise of "fake news," partisan media, mis- and disinformation, and fact-checking.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. A survey of the major provisions of the U.S. Constitution concerning civil rights and civil liberties as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court. Topics to be covered include how the federal courts enforce individual rights found in the Constitution, limitations on governmental actions and the use of the Constitution as a starting point for discussions of the nation’s need to balance competing interests of individuals, government and societal values.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. A survey of the development of the Constitution as it pertains to the structure of U.S. government. Topics to be covered include an introduction to the operation of the Supreme Court, separation of powers, decisions on federalism, the powers of Congress, the president, the judiciary and judicial review.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. A study of theories and models of judicial decision-making in the Supreme Court, focusing on judicial structure and procedures, policy-making analysis, political ideology, and judicial activism.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course will introduce students to the history, politics and status of women under the American legal system. Topics to be covered may include equal protection, sexual violence, the particular rights of women of color and lesbians, reproductive rights of women of color and lesbians, reproductive rights, women criminals and women in the legal profession. Crosslisted as: GSWS 316.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. A study of the racial, class and gender influences on the history and development of political values, conflicts, processes, structures and public policy in the United States. Crosslisted as: AFAM 318/GSWS 318.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course analyzes the participation of women in American politics. Attention is given to both women's historical and contemporary roles in politics, their participation as voters and citizens, and their behavior as candidates and office holders. Additional topics may include workplace, family and education issues and reproductive rights. Crosslisted as: GSWS 319.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course will familiarize you with the basic principles of conducting political science research. The course will review the scientific method as it applies to politics, introduce a variety of approaches to the study of political science, and practice core research skills.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. An examination of urban political power and influence, governance, and public policy. Topics include: power and influence, governmental structures and the political process, public policy, and service delivery.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. An examination of the politics and governance of states and localities. Attention is devoted to political culture, interest groups, political parties, the legislative, executive and judicial components of state government, along with the structure and political processes of local governments.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. An examination of Virginia state government and politics, with appropriate attention given to political culture, interest groups, political parties, the media and the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits hours. This course examines the electoral systems used in the United States and in other democracies from a scientific perspective to illuminate the links between the design of elections and democratic outcomes. It provides an introduction to social choice and voting theory and surveys contemporary challenges, such as gerrymandering, voter suppression and political manipulation.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. The course explores patterns in youth voter turnout and investigates the reasons why there is a persistent voter turnout gap between the U.S.' youngest voters and older generations. The course includes projects designed to increase voter turnout on campus.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Provides students with a practical overview of lobbying in the U.S. system, including its historical context; how different types of groups use lobbying as a tactic to influence government; and regulations and ethical considerations. Students will have a working knowledge of the American lobbying industry; the types of groups that employ lobbying as a political strategy to attain their organizational goals; and how money is used within the American system.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. A study of the concepts and practices of public administration in the United States. Particular attention will be given to the administrative procedures and practices of the national government and of the government in Virginia.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Survey of the major functions of the modern administrative state as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court. Topics to be covered include the constitutional and legal authority of bureaucratic agencies, rulemaking and adjudication, and judicial review of agency action. Emphasizes the tensions found in the administrative process, how administrators try to address them while performing their jobs and how the environment surrounding administrative behavior affects administrators trying to do their work.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Addresses how political ideas and concepts are created and propagated in film. Views the film industry as a critically important agent of political socialization.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. The course provides a survey of leading feminist political theory ideas from historic to contemporary feminist works, including feminist epistemologies, ontologies and ideas about politics, governance, government, citizenship, agency, equality, difference, sex, gender, race, nationalism, economics, family and reproduction. Crosslisted as: GSWS 330.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. A survey of leading political ideas of the ancient and medieval periods. This course is intended to introduce students to the fundamental concepts and questions of political theory and to engage students with the works of a number of ancient and medieval political philosophers.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. A survey of leading political ideas of modern and contemporary thought. This course is intended to introduce students to the fundamental concepts and questions of political theory and to acquaint students with the works of several modern political philosophers.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. An historical and sociological perspective on the political and social ideas of black thinkers from David Walker to the present. Crosslisted as: AFAM 343.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course provides a survey of recent trends in political theory. It examines updates of the major ideological traditions, arguments about the nature of modernity and recent developments in environment, feminist and non-Western thought.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. In this course, students will discuss and analyze the dynamics of the black experience in the American political system. The status of African-Americans in the United States and the struggle for racial equality will be examined, as will the manner in which American institutions have responded to these phenomena. Students will examine the race/class metric in African-American politics, particularly policies of Affirmative Action as a black progress strategy. Crosslisted as: AFAM 345.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Introduces students to the long history of Black political activism in the United States, focusing on racial justice and anti-racist movements. Utilizes historical, social scientific and legal frameworks.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credit hours. Examines the history, key issues and contemporary scholarship of Black queer politics. Focuses on themes of justice, equity, gender, sexuality and race. Crosslisted as: GSWS 347.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered hybrid). 3 credits. The course will explore the politics and governments of the Pacific region, which is of great military-strategic significance. It will also examine global security and regional interaction from the perspectives of individual countries impacted by Western colonization, the history of WWII, and the influence and competition of both the USA and China.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credit hours. An examination of the nature of democratic and authoritarian rule in a cross-regional perspective. We explore several fundamental issues in comparative politics, such as the differences and similarities between democratic and authoritarian regimes and the forces that create and destroy them.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. A comparative analysis of political systems in the Middle East including the study of contemporary aspects of traditionalism, the political nature of transition, the instruments of political modernization, and evolution and revolution in the political process of Middle Eastern states. The course will explore the primary bases of cleavage and conflict and the principal forces that shape the policies and political dynamics of the region. Crosslisted as: INTL 351.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. A comparative study of the political systems of selected western and eastern European countries. Crosslisted as: INTL 352.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. A survey of politics characteristic of Latin American systems, including democratic reformism, military authoritarianism and revolutionary socialism. The course also examines the contemporary problems of fledgling democracies as they cope with economic and debt crises and various opposition challenges. Crosslisted as: INTL 353.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. A study of the origins, institutions, processes and disintegration of the Soviet political system and the ongoing reform efforts during the post-Soviet period. Special emphasis is placed on the politics of the transition to a democratic political system and a market economy. Other topics include nationality issues, social problems and foreign policy. Crosslisted as: INTL 354.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. A comparative analysis of the politics and governments of major Asian states, with a focus on Japan, China and India. Crosslisted as: INTL 355.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course will introduce students to the basic outlines of government and politics in Africa. The course will consider such topics as colonialism, elitism, and nationalism and modernization strategies. Using the comparative approach, the course will primarily focus on West, East and Central Africa. Crosslisted as: AFAM 356/INTL 356.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of six credits. Introduces concepts and theories used in the study of political systems. Topics include democratization and democratic governance, the role of the state, one-party and military regimes, revolution, and economic and political development. Crosslisted as: INTL 358.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Analysis of the processes of political and economic development. Includes a study of various challenges facing developing countries, such as economic inequalities, environmental degradation, mass political participation, military coups, revolution and civil war. Crosslisted as: INTL 452.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Traces how China is making the transition from a planned to market economy, and what implications this transition has on the political, social and urban landscape. Class discussions are grounded on a basic understanding of China's modern history and regional geography. Crosslisted as: INTL 480.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of six credits. An exploration of several significant issues in world politics. Topics may include peacekeeping and collective security, international economic competitiveness, global environmental politics as well as selected others. Topics will vary with current events and trends in the international arena. Crosslisted as: INTL 361.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. A study of the background development structure and operations of organizations and institutions such as the United Nations, the European Community and the Organization of American States. Crosslisted as: INTL 362.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. An analytical survey of processes and practices in the formulation of U.S. foreign policy, including an introduction to the goals, problems of implementation and current challenges faced by policy makers. Crosslisted as: INTL 363.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. An analysis of the complete record of the conflict in Vietnam. The primary focus will be on the period of U.S. involvement. The course will examine closely how and why the U.S. became involved in Vietnam and what impact the Vietnam War has had on political institutions and behavior. In particular, the course will examine what impact the period of U.S. involvement has had upon U.S. foreign policy. The course also will consider additional topics including public opinion and the war, the relationship between the president and Congress in light of the war, and contemporary U.S. politics as a backlash against the political movements of the 1960s. Crosslisted as: INTL 364.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. A survey of both theoretical and current policy issues in international political economy. Theories to be covered include liberalism, mercantilism, Marxism, regionalism, world systems theory and others. Policy issues include differing styles of capitalism in the industrialized world, the political economy of development, the politics of international corporate alliances and others. Crosslisted as: INTL 365.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. A study of women and global politics, providing both a feminist re-examination of traditional international-relations theories and a comparative analysis of the political, legal and economic status of the world's women. The impact of women on global political institutions such as the United Nations will be addressed as well as other feminist and grass roots means of taking political action. Crosslisted as: GSWS 366/INTL 368.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. A survey of the modern problem of terrorism with an emphasis on the political nature of terrorist acts. Examines the history of terrorism, domestically within the U.S. and internationally, the role of religion, the structures and operations of terrorist organizations, as well as counterterrorism policies and policy-making. Crosslisted as: HSEP 301.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Examines the history and foundations of the nonprofit agency in the U.S. and abroad. Compares and contrasts relationships between business, government and the nonprofit sector. Discusses requirements for formalizing and managing nonprofit organizations from the perspectives of the volunteer board and employees. Examines issues of accountability, policy, research and resource development.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Examines how legal, legislative and public policy issues affect the development and growth of nonprofit organizations. Examines ethical principals and legal issues related to personnel and employment, as well as the goals of advocacy and its importance to nonprofit practitioners.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Examines how nonprofit organizations are influenced by prices, distribution of goods and services and the distribution of income and wealth. Topics include financial-statement analysis, time-value of money, budgeting concepts and techniques, securities valuation, long- and short-term financial planning issues and working capital management. Designed to develop skills in decision-making in financial management of the nonprofit organization.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Examines the parameters within which nonprofit managers raise funds; the historical, organizational, legal and ethical contexts of fundraising for nonprofit organizations; the philosophy of philanthropy in the U.S. and the various motivations for giving; and practical guidelines for identifying potential donors.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course examines how access to and availability of food and water are shaped by both international and domestic politics. From the Farm Bill to the United Nations, and through the study of explicit crops and commodities, the course will help to explain why there are millions of people who are food insecure, from the most underdeveloped to the richest countries in the world.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course will explore the various historical and contemporary factors behind European security. Students will learn more about pivotal moments from Europe’s past that provide valuable lessons about state behavior, diplomacy, conflict and peace, and then apply these lessons to current events and even try to anticipate what will happen in the future.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. A survey of the major international relationships in East Asia: the rivalry between China and Japan; the trilateral dynamics of China, Japan and Korea; Southeast Asian nations' interactions with major powers and each other; the inter-Korean stalemate; and the role of non-East Asian states, particularly the U.S. and Russia. Special attention is given to the impact of the rise of China in the 21st century.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course examines how the strategic use of violence, social divisions and other conflicts have obstructed Africa’s economic and political development.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. A survey of the key elements of human security: the positive and negative impacts of globalization, the rise and impact of civil violence within many nations, the dilemmas of the aid industry, the impact of non-state actors, and issues related to chronic poverty, food security and water security.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. An examination of genocide as a recurring social and political phenomenon. The course begins with a study of the Holocaust within the context of transnational dynamics including colonialism, antisemitism and racial theory.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered hybrid). 3 credits. A survey of the basic principles of international and comparative health, as well as the national and international institutional structures in place to address health challenges. It focuses on the political, economic, social and individual burdens of inadequate health for societies and the international community.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Covers the rules and practices of international law as a vehicle for exploring the relations among states, international organizations and individuals within the international system.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Explores the theoretical and policy structures underlying international relations -- specifically international security relationships -- between and among nation-states.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Focuses on how the availability of natural resources affect human civilization and how political power artificially determines their accessibility.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Exposes students to the history, institutions and policies of the European Union alongside key issues facing the EU and its member states.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Explores the international theoretical and policy structures underlying international relations and specifically how to make general explanations across world politics. It will provide a conceptual understanding of international relations theories, international politics, the role of logic and evidence in crafting explanations and, ultimately, how to square conflicting explanations of international systems.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course will look at the politics of immigration from a comparative perspective: grounded in the U.S. but examining immigration rules, migration patterns and diaspora communities in other countries as well.
Semester course; 0-3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 0-3 credits. A maximum total of nine credits in all departmental topics courses may be applied to the major. An intensive survey of a specialized field of political interest.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. The course explores the ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence alongside its political, economic and regulatory challenges. Students will examine AI’s societal impacts, including its effects on democracy, authoritarianism, security and the global economy.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: POLI 320 and 24 credits in political science courses or by permission of the instructor. A capstone course examining the major ideas and debates in each of the four sub-fields of the discipline of political science: American government, political theory, comparative politics and international relations. Students are required to produce a research project on a critical issue in one of the sub-fields.
Semester course; 0-3 lecture hours. 0-3 credits (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). Maximum total of 9 credits in all departmental topics courses may be applied to the major. An intensive survey of a specialized field of political interest.
Semester course; 0-3 independent study hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 0-3 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of six credits per semester and six credits toward graduation. Enrollment is restricted to students with junior or senior standing who have acquired at least 12 credits in political science or by permission of the instructor and department chair. An independent study course that allows a political science major or other student who meets the requirement to do research, under the direction of an instructor qualified in that area, in a subject or field of major interest.
Semester course; 0-3 field experience hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 0-3 credits (50 hours per credit.) May be repeated for a maximum of six credits toward graduation. Enrollment is restricted to political science majors, nonprofit management and administration minors, and public management minors, and by permission of the internship coordinator. Provides an opportunity to relate theory to practice through observation and actual experience within the field of political science. Graded as pass/fail.
Semester course; 0-3 field experience hours. 0-3 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of six credits toward graduation. Prerequisites: 24 credits in political science courses, including POLI 103, POLI 105, POLI 107 and POLI 109. Enrollment is restricted by permission of the instructor. A mentorship course that allows students to develop advanced research skills, to experience managing a classroom and to present the results of their research in a classroom setting. Different sections of the course specialize in different subfields of political science: U.S. government, comparative politics, international relations and political theory.
Semester course; 0-2 research hours. 0-2 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of eight credits. Enrollment is restricted by permission of the project faculty adviser. This course provides undergraduate students the opportunity to participate in multiyear, multidisciplinary research projects under the guidance of faculty in their areas of expertise. As they address research and development issues, students learn and practice many different professional skills, make substantial contributions to the project and experience many different roles on a large, multidisciplinary design/discovery team.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of six credits toward graduation, with a different topic. Students will conduct a research project directly for the U.S. Department of State, with a final research product and presentation delivered to state department personnel at the end of the course. Students collectively design the approach, timeline, division of labor and format of the project.
Semester course; 3 credits. An in-depth study of a selected topic in political science in a seminar environment. Intended for small groups of students interested in examining issues and problems related to aspects of the political processes.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. The course explores the ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence alongside its political, economic and regulatory challenges. Students will examine AI’s societal impacts, including its effects on democracy, authoritarianism, security and the global economy.
Source: Virginia Commonwealth University's catalog, linked per course · table learning_unit · CourseShelf publish 59
