Politics Department
The Department of Politics at Washington and Lee University teaches students to be informed and active citizens of a free society, able to think about politics with rigor and nuance. We offer a wide array of courses in American government, political philosophy, global politics, and statistics and methods. We encourage students to pursue their education in an interdisciplinary manner and we provide opportunities to augment their study in off-campus and experiential learning programs.
To this end, the Politics Department faculty:
- Offer a broad, robust political science curriculum.
- Structure the major in an interdisciplinary spirit and encourage students to take advantage of off-campus and foreign study programs.
- Teach in a responsive, solicitous manner.
- Engage and contribute to the study of politics in the broader scholarly community.
- Teach courses that enable students to demonstrate competency in: Research and Analysis Objectively Evaluating Information and Arguments and Formulating their own thesis Integrating Knowledge into a broader understanding of Politics
Seth Cantey to Deliver Lecture in Honor of His Appointment to the Lewis G. John Term Professorship in Politics
Cantey’s talk, titled “Freedom Money: Bitcoin’s Promise and How it Could Fail,” will be held March 30 in Northen Auditorium.
W&L Student Team Competes at VFIC Applied Ethics Bowl
The W&L Ethics Bowl team recently participated in an annual statewide competition.
Brian Alexander to Hold Fireside Chat with Former Ambassador Brian Nichols
The March 12 event is presented in conjunction with Moffat Takadiwa’s exhibit “Recoded Memories,” on view in the Reeves Museum of Ceramics.
Brian Alexander to Give ‘America at 250’ Lecture at W&L
Alexander will discuss Thomas Jefferson’s rules of parliamentary practice and the meaning of power in American democracy on March 11.
Icy Keneah ’26 Named to Allstate NACDA Good Works Team
The senior women’s basketball player was one of 20 winter sports athletes honored nationwide for volunteerism and civic engagement.
Politics Professor Speaks in the Great Hall at the Library of Congress
Brian Alexander participated in a moderated discussion on his new book “Jefferson’s Manual of Parliamentary Practice.”
Educational Odyssey
Ashton Evans ’26 reflects on a W&L experience full of mentorship, global learning and skills she will carry with her for life.
From the Sidelines to the World Stage
Kaylee Hartung ’07 will cover two of the world’s premier sporting events during a single month.
W&L Presents Peter Beinart in Conversation with Seth Cantey
The two politics professors will discuss themes from Beinart’s new book, “Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza,” on Feb. 3.
Brian Alexander Publishes New Book
The associate professor of politics brings Thomas Jefferson’s definitive word on the rules for Congress to print.
In Memoriam: Delos D. Hughes, Professor of Politics Emeritus
Hughes served as professor at Washington and Lee University for 33 years.
W&L Alumni Receive Omicron Delta Kappa Scholarship
Two Washington and Lee University graduates received scholarships from the National Leadership Honor Society to support graduate and professional study.