Courses
Students choose the University of Richmond for its small class sizes and active intellectual community, so do the professors who choose to work there. Professors in the Department of Political Science are no exception. They are dedicated to engaging their students in the critical, systematic, theoretical and empirical study of government and power in their comparative and historical contexts. Consistent with the goals of the liberal arts education, students are urged to develop their written and oral communication skills, leadership in addressing social and political issues, the ability to apply their knowledge and skills to a wide variety of areas and a commitment to the values and beliefs at the foundation of a democratic society.
To that end, the department offers challenging courses designed to foster interaction among students and between students and faculty. Completing internships, independent study and research projects encourages intellectual discovery. And by cooperating with several multi- and interdisciplinary programs throughout the School of Arts & Sciences, the department facilitates integrative learning.
Registration Guide
The 2022-2023 course handout contains information on next semester's courses as well as general advising tips.
The major must include a minimum of six units of political science courses taken at the University of Richmond. 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. Students who enrolled in the University in 2014 or before can apply one course from the department's list of approved outside courses towards their political science major. Please contact the department for the list of approved courses.
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, academic advisor, or a faculty member in their area of interest about undergraduate courses that they should consider taking.
Political Science
PLSC 220 Introduction to American Government
Units: 1
Description
Basic roles, structures, and functions of American political institutions and introduction to American political process.
PLSC 240 Introduction to Comparative Government
Units: 1
Fulfills General Education Requirement (FSSA)
Description
Concepts, 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)
Description
Framework 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)
Description
Contemporary 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
Description
Introduction 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. Prerequisite
PLSC 220, 240, 250, or 260
PLSC 311 Classical Political Thought
Units: 1
Description
Enduring 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
Description
Ideas 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
Description
Political 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
Description
The 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. Prerequisite
PLSC 220 with a minimum grade of D-
PLSC 325 Racial Politics
Units: 1
Description
Comparative examination of the history, problems and political role of minority groups in the U.S., with a concentration on the African-American political experience. Prerequisite
PLSC 220 with a minimum grade of D-
PLSC 326 United States Congress
Units: 1
Description
Organization and functions of American Congress. Prerequisite
PLSC 220 with a minimum grade of D-
PLSC 327 The American Presidency
Units: 1
Description
Political leadership in American political system from perspective of chief executive. Particular attention to expansion and use of presidential power. Prerequisite
PLSC 220 with a minimum grade of D-
PLSC 328 American Political Parties
Units: 1
Description
Examines 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. Prerequisite
PLSC 220 or 260
PLSC 329 Campaigns and Elections
Units: 1
Description
Analysis of institutions and process of American electoral system and behavior of American electorate. Prerequisite
PLSC 220 with a minimum grade of D-
PLSC 330 Creation of the American Republic
Units: 1
Description
Examines principles and practice of leadership within political context of the founding of the American Republic from 1776 through 1788. Primary focus will be on day-to-day work of the Constitutional Convention and the subsequent debates over ratification of the new constitution. Primary focus historical.
PLSC 331 Constitutional Law
Units: 1
Description
Role of United States Supreme Court in American politics studied through examination of landmark constitutional decisions pertaining to distribution of governmental powers. Prerequisite
PLSC 220 or 260
PLSC 333 Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Units: 1
Description
Analysis 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. Prerequisite
PLSC 220 or 260
PLSC 337 The American Legal System
Units: 1
Description
Analysis 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. Prerequisite
PLSC 220 or 260
PLSC 339 Jurisprudence and Contemporary American Politics
Units: 1
Description
Explores 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
Description
Addresses 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. Prerequisite
PLSC 240, 250, or GS 290
PLSC 343 Politics of Asia
Units: 1
Description
Study 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. Prerequisite
PLSC 240 with a minimum grade of D-
PLSC 344 Europe Today
Units: 1
Description
An 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. Prerequisite
PLSC 240 with a minimum grade of D-
PLSC 345 Politics of Contemporary China
Units: 1
Description
Study of China’s political system and policies in the reform era. Topics include party and state institutions, policies of reform, and politics on China’s periphery. Implications for social relationships, national identity, popular culture, and morality will be explored.
PLSC 346 Politics of Cultural Pluralism
Units: 1
Description
Comparative examination of politicization of race, ethnicity, religion, and caste in contemporary world.
PLSC 347 Politics of Developing Nations
Units: 1
Description
Comparative 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. Prerequisite
PLSC 240 or 250
PLSC 348 Politics of Africa
Units: 1
Description
Comparative study of state formation, nation-building, political economy, social structure/movements, selected regions and countries in Africa. Prerequisite
PLSC 240 or 250
PLSC 349 Politics of Latin America and the Caribbean
Units: 1
Description
Influence 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
Description
Analyzes 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. Prerequisite
PLSC 220 or 250
PLSC 351 Globalization
Units: 1
Description
Analysis 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. (Same as International Studies 351.) Prerequisite
PLSC 240, 250, or GS 290
PLSC 353 International Security
Units: 1
Description
Investigates 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. (Same as International Studies 353) Prerequisite
PLSC 250 or MSCL 205
PLSC 355 International Relations of the Middle East
Units: 1
Description
The 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. Prerequisite
PLSC 250 with a minimum grade of D-
PLSC 356 International Political Economy
Units: 1
Description
Politics, 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. Prerequisite
PLSC 250 with a minimum grade of D-
PLSC 357 International Relations of East Asia
Units: 1
Description
Study 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). Prerequisite
PLSC 240 or 250
PLSC 359 Global Governance
Units: 1
Description
Analyzes themes and selected topics in global governance. It explores how state and nonstate actors work together to confront and solve contemporary transnational challenges. (Same as International Studies 359) Prerequisite
PLSC 250 with a minimum grade of D-
PLSC 360 International Development Policy
Units: 1
Description
Assistance 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. Prerequisite
PLSC 250 with a minimum grade of D-
PLSC 361 The Politics of Social Welfare
Units: 1
Description
Study 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. Prerequisite
PLSC 220, 260, or SOC 101
PLSC 362 Environmental Law and Policy
Units: 1
Description
Examines 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.) Prerequisite
PLSC 260 or ENVR 201
PLSC 365 U.S. Healthcare Policy and Politics
Units: 1
Description
Examination 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
Description
Examines how well our nations 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. Prerequisite
PLSC 220, 260, and SOC 101
PLSC 379 Selected Topics
Units: 0.5-1
Description
Examples include comparative public-policy, constitutional politics, political terrorism, and public policy decision making. May be repeated for credit when topic varies. Prerequisite
PLSC 220 with a minimum grade of D-
PLSC 388 Individual Internship
Units: 0.5-1
Description
No 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.
PLSC 395 Legislative Internship
Units: 2
Description
Combines 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. Prerequisite
PLSC 220 with a minimum grade of D-
PLSC 400 Senior Seminar
Units: 1
Description
Reading and research focusing on important topics in political science. Both topics and instructors change from semester to semester. Prerequisite
PLSC 270 with a minimum grade of D-
PLSC 406 Summer Undergraduate Research
Units: 0
Description
Documentation 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.
PLSC 490 Research Prospectus
Units: 0.5
Description
Independent study devoted to the preparation of a research prospectus for the honors thesis. The prospectus is completed under the direction of the students intended thesis advisor. Department approval required.
PLSC 491 Honors Independent Research and Writing
Units: 1
Description
Reading and research toward an honors thesis. Prerequisite
PLSC 270 with a minimum grade of D-
PLSC 492 Honors Independent Research and Writing II
Units: 1
Description
Reading and research toward an honors thesis. Prerequisite
PLSC 270 with a minimum grade of D- 