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
Rooted in Place
Drawing on a passion for land stewardship, Elisabeth Nicholson ’27 and Riley Mitchelson ’27 pursued environmentally focused summer internships that encouraged them to more deeply consider their relationship with the world around them.
Jane Kamensky to Speak at W&L
Kamensky, president and CEO of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, will discuss the friendship and rivalry between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams on Oct. 19.
Yi Ren to Deliver Lecture on Propaganda in Mao’s China
The lecture will take place on Oct. 14 at 5 p.m. in the Harte Center.
Mock Convention Kicks Off 2028 Cycle
Mock Convention 2028 hosted its first campus conversation this fall during Young Alumni Weekend.
Brian Alexander to Headline First Beyond the Page Event
The associate professor of politics will discuss his new book “Jefferson’s Manual 0f Parliamentary Practice.”
Robin LeBlanc Authors New Book
Titled “Proprietors for a Democratic City,” the book explores how ordinary citizens remake public spaces and amplify their political voice.
Lynn Uzzell to Speak at W&L
Uzzell, an associate professor of political science at Bethel University, will discuss her new book about the revolutionary philosophy in the Declaration of Independence on Oct. 2.
Current and Former State Solicitors General to Speak at W&L
The Sept. 18 symposium will examine the areas of constitutional litigation shaping our political discourse and feature W&L undergraduate and law alumni.
Office of Community-Based Learning Announces 2026-27 Faculty Collaborative
This year’s collaborative includes 16 faculty members representing a variety of disciplines.
Finding Your Path
For Washington and Lee University’s Jack Evans ’25 and Adja Ndiaye ’26, receiving a Gilman Scholarship redefined what was possible during their four years on campus and beyond.
W&L to Host Constitution Day Panel on Supreme Court Cases from the 2025-26 Term
The Liberating Ideas panel discussion takes place in Northen Auditorium on Sept. 16.
W&L Announces New Fixed-Term Faculty, Fellows and Assistant Coaches
Twenty-eight new faculty and staff members are joining the university this year.