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
Change Agents: DeLaney Center Interns Help Drive Social Progress
Eleven W&L students participated in the first full year of programming spread across multiple states.
Keneah, co-captain of the women’s basketball team, says her bond with her teammates goes far beyond the court.
Stuart Gray to Headline Second Beyond the Page Event
The associate professor of politics will discuss his monograph “The Political Theory of the Bhagavad-Gita.”
W&L Announces New Lecture Series Featuring Faculty’s Milestone Works
Beyond the Page is a yearlong series of talks organized by the Provost’s Office to celebrate the significant achievements of the university’s faculty.
2025 Five-Star Distinguished Alumni Awards
These alumni exemplify leadership, service and professional excellence and will be honored during Five-Star Festival, Oct. 3–5, 2025.
Bringing Humanity Into The Conversation
Kate LeMasters ’15 cultivated a career of addressing public health inequalities with marginalized societies.
Lucas Morel Co-Edits Volume About Frederick Douglass’ Writings on Abraham Lincoln
The John K. Boardman, Jr. Professor of Politics and his co-editor from Christopher Newport University will discuss the book and sign copies on Oct. 14 at the Hillel House.
Keith Whittington to Present Constitution Day Address at W&L
The David Boies Professor of Law at Yale University Law School will speak on Sept. 18 in Northen Auditorium.
W&L’s Jack Evans ’25 Awarded Fulbright to Uzbekistan
Evans received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to teach English in Uzbekistan and plans to pursue a career in national security and diplomacy.
‘W&L After Class’ Podcast Releases New Episode Featuring Stu Gray
Stu Gray, associate professor of politics, discusses philosophy, teaching collaboratively with students and being mindful in a technological world.
W&L Outcomes: Luke Fountain ’25
After graduation, Fountain will complete a fellowship at CNBC doing business reporting for digital and television platforms.
W&L’s Kiki Mittner ’25 Earns U.S. Teaching Assistantship to Austria
Mittner will teach English in her grandmother’s Austrian hometown before attending law school.