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
Malachi Zarahn ’28 Becomes First W&L Student Selected for UVA’s Roadmap Scholars Initiative
The two-year program is designed to help students chart their path into the legal profession.
Washington and Lee Names Six Faculty Members to Endowed Professorships in The College and The Williams School
These faculty have been recognized for their outstanding teaching, scholarship and service to the university.
Sofia Elverdin Selected as Co-Recipient of the Best Dissertation Prize From the American Political Science Association’s Women, Gender and Politics Section
The assistant professor of politics will receive her prize at the association’s annual meeting in Boston in September.
Summer Reading Recs
Four W&L professors share their must-reads to help you round out your reading list.
W&L’s Alexander Kagan ’27 Named a Constitutional Studies Fellow by the Hertog Foundation
Kagan will spend two weeks in an intensive learning experience focused on American constitutional history and development.
W&L’s Chuck Rutberg ’26 Selected for Teaching Assistant Program in France
Rutberg is looking forward to building on his French language skills before pursuing a career in the federal government.
Brody Sandifer-Williams ’28 and Edison Dokken ’28 Awarded the CIE Arabic Summer Scholarship
Washington and Lee’s Center for International Education awarded funding to the sophomores to study Arabic in Meknes, Morocco, this summer.
Best Foot Forward
Icy Keneah ’26 turned a childhood love of fun socks into a nonprofit serving communities in Rockbridge County and her hometown of Richmond, Virginia.
Beyond the Classroom
Lela Casey ’25 took her education around the world with a series of immersive language learning opportunities made possible by W&L’s Office of Fellowships.
W&L Announces 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award Winners
This year’s honorees will be recognized during Alumni Weekend from April 30-May 3.
W&L’s Liberating Ideas Program to Host a Conversation with Jack Goldsmith ’84
The Learned Hand Professor of Law at Harvard Law School will discuss executive power under the Constitution.
W&L Students Accepted into American Economic Association Summer Training Program
Ayanna Moore ’27 and Charlie Salome Sabines ’28 will participate in the prestigious program this summer at American University in Washington, D.C.