Political Science Courses
POSC100. The American Political System
An introduction to the American political system, with an emphasis upon the national political institutions, processes, groups, public behavior, and issues which shape contemporary society. Students will evaluate cultural norms, societal institutions, and implicit and explicit assumptions about themselves. 3 credits. FHBS; WI.
POSC1HB. Pol Sci HBSI Transfer Pillar
Political Science HBSI Pillar Course
POSC1XX. Political Science Elective
POSC200. Global Politics
The course surveys political systems and considers the meaning of concepts and themes such as political ideologies, states, nationalism, ethnicity, racial politics, democracy, development, and the political change. A goal of this course, therefore, is to familiarize students with mainstream and alternative approaches to comparing and contrasting political systems. Examples from Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe, and the United States will provide the context. 3 credits. FGLO; WI.
POSC216. Amer State and Local Govt
A study of American state and local political institutions and processes, and of related current issues and problems. 3 credits.
POSC250. Political Science Research Met
This course is an introduction to the research methods used by political scientists. Students will learn quantitative and qualitative methods, including sampling, multivariate analysis, and testing for statistical significance. Research design is also considered with an emphasis on hypothesis testing. Prerequisites: POSC 100 and MATH 171, or permission of instructor. 3 credits.
POSC270. Intro to Public Administration
Introduces students to the field of public administration in an American context, including basic concepts, theorists, vocabulary, and contemporary issues. Students will learn how public administration affects society and the lives of citizens. 3 credits.
POSC275. The American Judiciary
This course focuses on the American legal system as a political and policy-making institution. Topics examined in this course include an analysis of the structure, organization and function of state and national court systems. Emphasis will be placed on the role of juries, judges, attorneys, litigants, and interest groups in the judicial system. Special attention will be paid to the Virginia court system. 3 credits.
POSC292. Intern in Political Science
A semester-long, on-the-job learning experience designed to apply the principles of political science. 1-18 credits.
POSC295. Spec Topics Political Science
Selected topics in political science. The topics may vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit when topics change. 3 credits.
POSC2XX. Political Science Elective
POSC305. International Relations
Study of the factors conditioning international politics, with an emphasis upon the foreign policies of major powers. 3 credits.
POSC310. The U.S. Intelligence Communit
This course will introduce you to the field of intelligence—the form, function, purpose, and general capabilities of the US Intelligence Community (IC)—and the role intelligence analysis plays in achieving US national security objectives. Practically, our objective will be to develop the thinking, writing, and briefing skills necessary to successfully perform as an intelligence analyst. We will also investigate the role played by analysts in informing policymakers about world events and upcoming challenges. 3 credits.
POSC314. Political History of Africa
A survey of the political landscape of African history. A major portion of the course examines the significance of precolonial kingdoms, assesses the growth of the "slave trade", analyzes African intellectual history, and explores the "eve of colonialism" in Africa. 3 credits.
POSC331. Ancient Mediev Pol Phil
Survey of the principal political theories and philosophies from ancient Greece through the Middle Ages, including the contributions of Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, St. Augustine, and St. Thomas Aquinas. Pre-requisites: Major or minor in political science or permission of the instructor. Junior or senior status also required. 3 credits.
POSC332. Modern Political Philosophy
Survey of modern political theories and philosophies, including the contributions of Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, and Marx. Pre-requisites: Major or minor in political science or permission of the instructor. Junior or senior status also required. 3 credits.
POSC335. Compar Politc:W Europe
An examination of the political systems of Western Europe, with in-depth analyses of Great Britain, France, and Germany. Issues like social democracy, gendered politics, right-wing extremism, and the European Union are explored as causes of political change and continuity in Europe. 3 credits.
POSC341. Am Pol Thought To 1865
An introduction to the principal thinkers and the central themes in American political thought. 3 credits.
POSC342. Amer Poli Thght 1860-Present
An introduction to the principal thinkers and central themes in American political thought. 3 credits.
POSC343. American Foreign Policy
A study of U.S. foreign policy with special attention to the policy-making process, current problems in foreign affairs, and the development of long-range foreign policy. 3 credits.
POSC345. Terrorism Homeland Security
Study of the forces involved in terrorism and the issues surrounding homeland security. 3 credits.
POSC350. The American Presidency
The modern presidency and its role in contemporary politics, emphasizing the constitutional background of the office, the evolution of presidential powers, relationships between the presidency and the Congress and bureaucracy, the presidential election process, and the role of the presidency in policy making. 3 credits.
POSC353. The American Congress
An examination of the Congress of the United States, its history and evolution, its contemporary politics, and its role in the national policy-making process. Topics include candidate recruitment, campaigns and elections, representation, committees, legislative leadership, roles and norms, voting alignments, lobbyists and interest groups, oversight of administration, and House-Senate comparisons. The role of Congress in foreign policy, economic policy, and social-welfare policy will be examined. 3 credits.
POSC357. Constitution Rights & Libert
Study of prominent Constitutional principles, issues, and practices concerning government-private individual relations, with particular emphasis upon freedoms of speech, press, religion; privacy; and social and economic discrimination. Extensive use of Supreme Court decisions. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing or permission of instructor. 3 credits.
POSC360. Citizen Politics
Examination of political participation from a comparative perspective, focusing mainly on cases from the United States and Western Europe. Political parties, voting, elections, and social movements are highlighted. 3 credits.
POSC360. Citizen Politics
Examination of political participation from a comparative perspective, focusing mainly on cases from the United States and Western Europe. Political parties, voting, elections, and social movements are highlighted. 3 credits.
POSC370. Public Policy
Focuses on the policy making process in an American context, including basic concepts, theorists, vocabulary, and contemporary issues. Students will learn how public policy affects their daily lives in areas such as employment, finance, health care, education, environment, and security.
POSC375. Latin Amer Politics and Govt
A study of Latin American politics, government, and development. The course considers the importance of political institutions and social and economic forces in the processes of democratization and economic development. 3 credits.
POSC390. Directed Study
Must be approved by the head of the department. May be repeated as 391. 1-18 credits.
POSC392. Intern in Political Science
A semester-long, on-the-job learning experience designed to apply the principles of political science. 1-18 credits.
POSC394. Political Leadership
The course investigates the diverse nature of leadership in modern society. While the main emphasis is on political leadership, a strong interdisciplinary approach is employed. Students examine the effectiveness of leaders in various political systems and business settings. Part of this examination involves defining effectiveness in terms of personal achievement, ethical responsibilities, economic growth, and goal accomplishment. This examination requires students to think about the needs of societies, impacts of issues, roles of organizations, questions of morality, methods of decision making, and techniques of leadership in a wide variety of differing circumstances and cultures. Prerequisite: Completion of FHBS Pillar. 3 credits. SI.
POSC395. African Politics Govt
The course offers various intellectual perspectives on contemporary African politics. Attention is devoted to an examination of the state, political institutions, social forces and movements, gender, democratization, and regional economic development. 3 credits.
POSC442. International Law
A study of the international legal system, including the content and operation of the laws of war and peace, how law is created and enforced with regard to the oceans and other parts of the globe, and the relationship between international law and international politics. 3 credits.
POSC443. US Foreign Pol Natl Sec
This course represents an endeavor to identify and analyze major US foreign policy and national security issues and threats likely facing the United States both externally and internally. Major attention is devoted to the continuing dynamics in Russo-American relations and to problems of a politico-economic nature posed by nations of the developing or Third World. Additionally, discussions focus on various response options potentially applicable to the resolution of current issues. 3 credits.
POSC455. Constitutional Law
Intensive case-study examination of the continuing development of the Constitution. Emphasis on judiciary, presidency, federalism, commerce, and due process problems. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing or permission of instructor. 3 credits.
POSC461. Senior Seminar
Capstone course in Political Science. Research, writing, and assessment of student outcomes. 1 credit.
POSC465. US Natl Int Foreign Pol
This course provides a basic overview of the history, current organization, and missions of the US Foreign intelligence establishment ("the Intelligence Community") and its various programs and activities in support of US foreign policy and national security objectives. 3 credits.
POSC490. Directed Study
Must be approved by the head of the department. May be repeated. 1-18 credits.
POSC492. Intern in Political Science
Experiential learning designed to apply the principles of political science. Prerequisite: A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required to enroll. 1-18 credits.
POSC495. Spec Topics Political Science
Selected topics in political science. The topics may vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit when topics change. 3 credits.
POSC498. Senior Thesis in Poli Sci
Students conduct an in-depth project in political science under the direction of a faculty member and the Longwood Senior Thesis Committee. May be repeated as 499. 3 credits.
POSC498. Senior Thesis in Poli Sci
Students conduct an in-depth project in political science under the direction of a faculty member and the Longwood Senior Thesis Committee. May be repeated as 499. 3 credits.
POSC499. Senior Thesis in Poli Sci
Students conduct an in-depth project in political science under the direction of a faculty member and the Longwood Senior Thesis Committee. 3 credits.
POSC499. Senior Thesis in Poli Sci
Students conduct an in-depth project in political science under the direction of a faculty member and the Longwood Senior Thesis Committee. 3 credits.
