POLS 102: State and Local Government (3)
An examination of the basic structures, functions and problems of American democracy at the state and local levels of government, with emphasis on features common to all units of decentralized administration.  Special references are made to the unique qualities of state and local governance in the Commonwealth of Virginia and public officials will occasionally be invited to address the class.

POLS 103: Western Heritage of Politics (3)
A course satisfying the general education Western Heritage requirement, covering the periods of the Judeo-Christian tradition; Greek and Roman antiquity; Medieval Europe and the Reformation, emphasizing the political dimensions of this heritage.

POLS 104: Western Heritage of Politics (3)
A course satisfying the general education Western Heritage requirement, covering the period of the Renaissance, modern and contemporary Western Civilization, emphasizing the political dimension of this heritage.

POLS 305: Northern European Government and Politics (3)
A comparative analysis of the political cultures, politics, and governmental framework of the countries of Northern Europe.  Great Britain, Germany, and Sweden receive the greatest attention.

POLS 306: Southern European Government and Politics (3)
A comparative analysis of the political cultures, politics, and governmental framework of the countries of Southern Europe, France, Italy, and Spain receive the greatest attention.

POLS 311: Introduction to Public Administration (3)
Prerequisites: POLS 101 and 102 or permission of instructor
An introductory examination of the administrative structures and processes of governmental agencies emphasizing the effective management of public personnel and efficient delivery of public services within the context of American democratic values.

POLS 312: Advanced Public Administration (3)
Prerequisite: POLS 311
An advanced examination of the principles and problems of public administration that concentrates on the application of theoretical knowledge in practical ways through the study, presentation and discussion of actual case studies.

POLS 313: Public Personnel Administration (3)
Prerequisite: POLS 311
An examination for the methods of recruiting, examining, training and other techniques utilized in the management of employees in government service; and an analysis of public sector employment and personnel issues.

POLS 314: Public Financial Administration (3)
Prerequisite: POLS 311
An analysis of fiscal administration in federal, state and local governments and an examination of the problems and processes of governmental budgeting, accounting, auditing, purchasing, tax administration, and treasury management.

POLS 322: American Parties, Pressure Groups and Elections (3)
An analysis of the behavior and organization of parties and pressure groups and the role of elections in the American political system.

POLS 351: Judicial Process (3)
Prerequisite: AJUS 110 or POLS 101 or permission of instructor
An examination of the administration of justice in American courts, emphasizing the nature and function of law, court organization, participants in the system, trial processes, juries, appellate processes, and the impact of court rulings.  (Dual listing with AJUS 351.)

POLS 361: The American Presidency (3)
A systematic examination of Presidential behavior, with a primary focus on the powers and limitations of presidents.

POLS 381: Legislative Behavior and Process (3)
A systematic examination of legislative decision-making procedures and other types of behavior as legislatures function at the state and national levels of the U.S. political system.

POLS 387, 388: Cooperative Education Project I (1-6, 1-6)
Students can obtain information from the Department Chair.

POLS 401: History of Political Thought I (3)
Prerequisite: POLS 101
A historical survey of the major political theorists of the ancient and medieval periods (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, etc.) with an emphasis on the thinkers' conceptions of human nature, politics and ethics.  Theoretical notions of justice, virtue, equality, excellence and democracy are examined in light of the political theorists examined.

POLS 402: History of Political Thought II (3)
Prerequisite: POLS 401
A historical survey of the major political philosophers of the modern period (Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Mill, Marx, etc.) with an emphasis on their conceptions of human nature, political society and ethics.  Theoretical notions of justice, power, freedom, rights, equality, and democracy are examined in light of these political thinkers.

POLS 404: American Political Theory (3)
A historical survey of the major political theorists in the American tradition emphasizing the development of fundamental political concepts such as democracy, equality, rights, freedom, etc.

POLS 406: Contemporary Political Theory (3)
An examination of the major political theories of the 20th century with references to their philosophical progenitors in classical, medieval, modern, and Marxian theory.  Emphasis is placed on the thinkers' conceptions of human nature, society, and ethics.  Theoretical ideals of justice, rights, freedom, obligation, equality and democracy are discussed in light of 20th century theorists examined.

POLS 450: Religion and Politics in America (3)
An examination of the relationship between religion and politics as presented by the major theologians in the Christian traditions, as well as contemporary representatives of Liberation Theology and the Christian Right.  American documents on religious freedom, including United States Supreme Court rulings on the First Amendment along with contemporary American issues in religion and politics, conclude the course.

POLS 472: Constitutional Law (3)
Prerequisite: POLS 101 or AJUS 110 or permission of instructor
An examination of the foundational document of the American government and the historical development of the U.S. Constitution through interpretive Supreme Court rulings.  (Dual listing with AJUS 472.)

POLS 473: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights (3)
An examination of the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution and civil rights legislation as applied in the criminal justice system at the federal and state levels of government through interpretive Supreme Court rulings.  (Dual listing with AJUS 473.)

POLS 481: International Relations (3)
An analysis of inter-nation behavior with an emphasis on national goals and their sources, national political capabilities (power), diplomacy, war, and the foreign policies of major nations.

POLS 482: American Foreign Policy (3)
The analysis of the manner in which American foreign policy is created and executed.  Attention also is paid to current U.S. objectives and the specific policies devised to reach these objectives.

POLS 487, 488: Cooperative Education Project II (1-6, 1-6)
Students can obtain information from the Department Chair.

POLS 491, 492: Seminar in Political Science (3,3)
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor
A seminar dealing with selected political science problems.

POLS 495, 496: Special Topics in Political Science (1-3, 1-3)

POLS 497: Individual Research (1-3)
Individual, instructor-supervised research into selected topics in political science.  By arrangement with instructor.