Political Science
Updates for the 2022-2023 academic year are not reflected here. These updates are available on undergraduatecatalog.richmond.edu.
-
Department Information
Political Science
Jennifer Erkulwater, Chair
Professors Dagger, Erkulwater, Joireman, Kandeh, Legro, Mayes, Palazzolo
Associate Professors Bowie, Cherry, Datta, Long, Lopez-Guerra, McGowen, Pribble, Roof, Simon, Simpson, Sznajder Lee
Assistant Professor Chen
-
Major
The Political Science Major
Note: The grade point average of the coursework in political science comprising the major, must be 2.00 or above with no course grade below C- (1.7).
10 units, including:
Introduction to American Government
Two courses, chosen from:
Introduction to Comparative Politics
Introduction to International Relations
Introduction to Public Policy
Social Science Inquiry
One unit, chosen from:
Classical Political Thought
Modern Political Theory
American Political Theory
Senior Seminar
Four elective units at the 300 level.
Note:
The major must include a minimum of six units of University of Richmond political science courses. No more than two units of credit toward the major can be given for courses, including cross-listed courses, offered by other departments or schools at the University.
With Department approval (by the Chair), students may transfer credit for up to three courses that count toward the Political Science major.
Study abroad and internships also are encouraged. Students who have an interest in attending law school should consult with the pre-law advisor; students interested in attending graduate school should consult with the department chair about undergraduate courses that they should consider taking.
-
Honors
Honors Program
The political science honors program recognizes the most distinguished majors, who complete an advanced course of study, culminating in an honor's thesis. In order to be eligible, students must have completed 22 units of course work overall and at least six units in political science (including Social Science Inquiry) by end of junior year, with an overall and political science grade point average of 3.7 or above, and must be recommended by at least one full-time member of the Department of Political Science. Accepted honors students complete four units of designated honors coursework, including 11 units of political science courses. Honors course work may include honors seminars, standard elective courses with special work above and beyond the norm, or honors independent study courses, though at least two units must be from honors independent study (
and ) devoted to proposing, researching, and writing an honors thesis in the senior year. A prospectus for the honors thesis topic must be approved before the end of the second semester junior year, at which time the candidate must identify a thesis advisor and a second reader. The thesis will fulfill the senior capstone requirement for the major; honors students are exempt from taking . Honors students must successfully defend their thesis before a committee of at least two readers, including the thesis advisor, and present their research at the School of Arts & Sciences Student Symposium in April of the senior year.
Courses
Updates for the 2022-2023 academic year are not reflected here. These updates are available on undergraduatecatalog.richmond.edu.
-
PLSC 220 Introduction to American Government
Units: 1
DescriptionBasic roles, structures, and functions of American political institutions and introduction to American political process.
-
PLSC 240 Introduction to Comparative Politics
Units: 1
Fulfills General Education Requirement (FSSA)
DescriptionConcepts, approaches, classifications, and models useful in comparing political structures and processes. Political systems characteristic of countries with different cultures and levels of economic development.
-
PLSC 250 Introduction to International Relations
Units: 1
Fulfills General Education Requirement (FSSA)
DescriptionFramework for analyzing contemporary international system: goals of nation-states and other actors; how such actors attempt to achieve their goals; and some forces that help or hinder attainment of goals.
-
PLSC 260 Introduction to Public Policy
Units: 1
Fulfills General Education Requirement (FSSA)
DescriptionContemporary social and economic problems in America, public policies adopted or proposed to deal with them, and ways of analyzing those problems and policies.
-
PLSC 270 Social Science Inquiry
Units: 1
DescriptionIntroduction to the process of social science research and inquiry. Includes instruction on forming a research question, preparing a literature review, developing a research design, and undertaking analysis using selected quantitative or qualitative empirical analytical tools.
PrerequisitesPolitical Science 220, 240, 250, or 260
-
PLSC 279 Special Topics
Units: 1
DescriptionMay be repeated for credit when topic varies.
PrerequisitesVaries depending on topic.
-
PLSC 310 Statesmanship
Units: 1
Description(See Leadership Studies 378.)
-
PLSC 311 Classical Political Thought
Units: 1
DescriptionEnduring basic issues in political theory studied through writings of Plato, Aristotle, and other thinkers from ancient Greece through the Renaissance.
-
PLSC 312 Modern Political Theory
Units: 1
DescriptionIdeas of major political philosophers from the 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, such as Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, Hegel, Marx, Tocqueville, and J. S. Mill.
-
PLSC 315 American Political Theory
Units: 1
DescriptionPolitical thought in America from colonial times to present with an emphasis on issues relating to liberty, equality, federalism, community, and national purpose.
-
PLSC 323 Money, Politics and Prisons
Units: 1
DescriptionThe connections between the economy, politics, and the prison system in the United States are important for understanding concepts of justice in a democracy. Explores links between privatization of prisons, political incentives, and theories of justice.
PrerequisitesPolitical Science 220.
-
PLSC 325 Racial Politics
Units: 1
DescriptionComparative examination of the history, problems and political role of minority groups in the U.S., with a concentration on the African-American political experience.
PrerequisitesPolitical Science 220.
-
PLSC 326 United States Congress
Units: 1
DescriptionOrganization and functions of American Congress.
PrerequisitesPolitical Science 220 or permission of instructor.
-
PLSC 327 The American Presidency
Units: 1
DescriptionPolitical leadership in American political system from perspective of chief executive. Particular attention to expansion and use of presidential power.
PrerequisitesPolitical Science 220 or permission of instructor.
-
PLSC 328 American Political Parties
Units: 1
DescriptionExamines American political parties as organizations and their role in elections, government, and public policy. Also explores how parties have changed over time and the causes and effects of growing party polarization.
PrerequisitesPLSC 220 or PLSC 260
-
PLSC 329 Campaigns and Elections
Units: 1
DescriptionAnalysis of institutions and process of American electoral system and behavior of American electorate.
PrerequisitesPolitical Science 220 or permission of instructor.
-
PLSC 331 Constitutional Law
Units: 1
DescriptionRole of United States Supreme Court in American politics studied through examination of landmark constitutional decisions pertaining to distribution of governmental powers.
PrerequisitesPolitical Science 220 or Political Science 260 or permission of instructor.
-
PLSC 333 Civil Rights/Liberties
Units: 1
DescriptionAnalysis of contemporary legal status and interpretation of constitutional rights and liberties. Emphasis on landmark Supreme Court decisions involving various provisions of the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment.
PrerequisitesPolitical Science 220 or Political Science 260 or permission of instructor.
-
PLSC 337 The American Legal System
Units: 1
DescriptionAnalysis of structure, processes, and personnel of American legal system. Emphasis on decision making of private parties, judges, juries, and attorneys in context of civil litigation and criminal prosecution.
PrerequisitesPolitical Science 220 or Political Science 260 or permission of instructor.
-
PLSC 339 Jurisprudence in Contemporary American Politics
Units: 1
DescriptionExplores basic questions about the nature and function of law as an instrument of state power that are deeply interconnected with a wide range of political and legal problems.
-
PLSC 341 Humanitarian Interventions
Units: 1
DescriptionAddresses the changing international legal framework regarding humanitarian interventions. Surveys the literature addressing the effectiveness of external Interventions. Discussion of the justifications and consequences of intervention. Application to contemporary conflicts. Reviews changing ideas of sovereignty and the ramifications of state decisions to intervene in the internal affairs of other states.
PrerequisitesPLSC 240 or 250 or GS 290.
-
PLSC 343 Politics of Asia
Units: 1
DescriptionStudy of historical, cultural, and social forces shaping contemporary politics of Asia. Comparative survey of major political systems and critical examination of key issues. Attempts to link Asian studies with mainstream political science.
PrerequisitesPolitical Science 240 or permission of instructor.
-
PLSC 344 Europe Today
Units: 1
DescriptionAn examination of political, social, and economic developments in Europe (both western and east-central) since World War II. Topics include European integration and the development of the European Union institutions, postcommunist transitions and their consequences, and the domestic politics of selected European states.
PrerequisitesPolitical Science 240 or permission of instructor.
-
PLSC 345 Politics of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan
Units: 1
DescriptionStudy of contemporary political history of China; analysis of political systems of the People's Republic of China, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and the Republic of China on Taiwan; and discussion of key political, economic, and military issues.
-
PLSC 346 Politics of Cultural Pluralism
Units: 1
DescriptionComparative examination of politicization of race, ethnicity, religion, and caste in contemporary world.
PrerequisitesPolitical Science 220, 240, or 250 or Global Studies 290 or permission of instructor.
-
PLSC 347 Politics of Developing Nations
Units: 1
DescriptionComparative analysis of political, social, and economic development or modernization of nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Topics include influence of ideology, revolution and reform, national integration, neo-imperialism and dependency, and economic growth and equality.
PrerequisitesPLSC 240 or 250.
-
PLSC 348 Politics of Africa
Units: 1
DescriptionComparative study of state formation, nation-building, political economy, social structure/movements, selected regions and countries in Africa.
PrerequisitesPolitical Science 240 or 250 or permission of instructor.
-
PLSC 349 Politics of Latin America and the Caribbean
Units: 1
DescriptionInfluence of historical, social, and cultural forces on contemporary politics of Latin America and the Caribbean. Effects of social structure and underdevelopment on processes of democratization, institution building, national integration, and economic development. Case studies of selected countries illustrate major themes and issues explored.
-
PLSC 350 American Foreign Policy
Units: 1
DescriptionAnalyzes the traditions, processes, substance, and goals of American foreign policy, in addition to exploring national security and defense policy, foreign economic policy, international diplomacy, and foreign policy ethics.
PrerequisitesPolitical Science 220 or 250 or permission of instructor.
-
PLSC 351 Globalization
Units: 1
DescriptionAnalysis of the political, economic, and socio-cultural dimensions of globalization. Considers how globalization has affected the nation state, interstate relations, and the democratization and development of countries around the world. Students will evaluate different definitions of globalization; analyze to what extent globalization limits the autonomy of national governments; and consider whether the effects of globalization vary across different regions of the world.
PrerequisitesPolitical Science 240 or 250 or Global Studies 290.
-
PLSC 353 International Security
Units: 1
DescriptionInvestigates international issues that threaten the security and prosperity of societies and individuals in the modern world. Issues include global terrorism, human slavery and trafficking, genocide, civil wars and insurgencies, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
PrerequisitesPolitical Science 250 or Military Science 205
-
PLSC 355 International Relations of the Middle East
Units: 1
DescriptionThe international relations of southwest Asia and northeast Africa with an emphasis on issues related to war, peace, and power, including the role of European empires and the United States in the formation of the regional nation-state system; contemporary conflicts in the Persian Gulf and Israeli-Arab arenas; the political economy of oil; terrorist attacks and counter-terror strategies; and American foreign policy toward the region.
PrerequisitesPolitical Science 250.
-
PLSC 356 International Political Economy
Units: 1
DescriptionPolitics, processes, and institutions underlying contemporary global economic interdependence, with special focus on international trade, finance, and assistance; alternative theoretical models for understanding these events, processes, and institutions.
PrerequisitesPolitical Science 250 or permission of instructor.
-
PLSC 357 International Relations of East Asia
Units: 1
DescriptionStudy of interactions among the major powers in the Asia-Pacific region during and after the Cold War. Examines crucial country cases and thematic issues (with focus on identity, security, and economic interdependence) by drawing perspectives from dominant international relations theories (e.g., realism, neorealism, liberal-idealism, liberal institutionalism, Marxism, and constructivism).
PrerequisitesPolitical Science 240 or 250.
-
PLSC 359 Global Governance
Units: 1
DescriptionAnalyzes themes and selected topics in global governance. It explores how state and nonstate actors work together to confront and solve contemporary transnational challenges.
PrerequisitesPolitical Science 250
-
PLSC 360 International Development Policy
Units: 1
DescriptionAssistance policies of wealthy nations and multilateral organizations, development policies and problems of poor or underdeveloped nations, and dynamics of economic, political, environmental, and cultural transactions.
PrerequisitesPolitical Science 250 or permission of instructor.
-
PLSC 361 The Politics of Social Welfare
Units: 1
DescriptionStudy of the development and effectiveness of programs in the United States that seek to promote economic equality and alleviate need. A focus on programs for both the poor and the middle class.
PrerequisitesPolitical Science 220, 260, or Sociology 101 or permission of instructor.
-
PLSC 362 Environmental Law and Policy
Units: 1
DescriptionExamines legal aspects, both regulations and case law, of environmental policy. Central issues are whether legal responses (1) effectively address the needs of the parties most affected; (2) properly weigh such facts as economic efficiency, protection of nonhuman species, and the possibility of unintended consequences; and (3) are diluted by the political process. (Same as Environmental Studies 362.)
PrerequisitesPolitical Science 260 or Environmental Studies 201.
-
PLSC 365 U.S. Healthcare Policy and Politics
Units: 1
DescriptionExamination of political and economic evolution of the American healthcare system: doctors, hospitals, managed care, Medicare, Medicaid, health insurance, public health, epidemiology, mental health, pediatric health, tort reform, and psychopharmacology, among other topics. Includes comparative analysis of other countries' healthcare systems.
-
PLSC 366 Poverty and Political Voice
Units: 1
DescriptionExamines how well our nation¿s antipoverty policies alleviate the hardships faced by residents of these communities and assesses the ability of the poor to mobilize for effective social change in their communities. Includes a required community-based learning component.
PrerequisitesPolitical Science 220 or 260 or Sociology 101
-
PLSC 379 Selected Topics
Units: 1
DescriptionExamples include comparative public-policy, constitutional politics, political terrorism, and public policy decision making. May be repeated for credit when topic varies.
-
PLSC 388 Individual Internship
Units: .5-1
DescriptionNo more than 1.5 units of internship in any one department and 3.5 units of internship overall may be counted toward required degree units.
PrerequisitesPermission of department chair.
-
PLSC 390 Independent Study
Units: .5-1
PrerequisitesPermission of department chair.
-
PLSC 395 Legislative Internship
Units: 2
DescriptionCombines weekly seminar on the state legislative process with work as assistant to a state legislator, government agency, interest group, or press during session of the Virginia General Assembly.
PrerequisitesPolitical Science 220 and permission of instructor.
-
PLSC 400 Senior Seminar
Units: 1
DescriptionReading and research focusing on important topics in political science. Both topics and instructors change from semester to semester.
PrerequisitesSenior status and completion of seven units in political science, including 270
-
PLSC 406 Summer Undergraduate Research
Units: 0
DescriptionDocumentation of the work of students who receive summer fellowships to conduct research [or produce a creative arts project] in the summer. The work must take place over a minimum of 8 weeks, the student must engage in the project full-time (at least 40 hours per week) during this period, and the student must be the recipient of a fellowship through the university. Graded S/U.
PrerequisitesApproval for summer Arts and Sciences fellowship by faculty mentor
-
PLSC 491 Honors Independent Research and Writing
Units: 1
DescriptionReading and research toward an honors thesis.
PrerequisitesPLSC 270 and acceptance in departmental Honors program.
-
PLSC 492 Honors Independent Research and Writing
Units: 1
DescriptionReading and research toward an honors thesis.
PrerequisitesPLSC 270 and acceptance in departmental Honors program.