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Politics Department

Associate Professor of Politics Brian Alexander teaches class on the Front Lawn in front of Lee House.

The Department of Politics at ÄûÃÊÊÓÆµ 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

Department News


Malachi Zarahn ’28 is the first W&L student selected for a two-year program designed to help students chart their path into the legal profession.

Campus walkways in springtime. Photo by Ryan Doty ’26

These faculty have been recognized for their outstanding teaching, scholarship and service to the university.

The assistant professor of politics will receive her prize at the association’s annual meeting in Boston in September.

Four W&L professors share their must-reads to help you round out your reading list.

Kagan will spend two weeks in an intensive learning experience focused on American constitutional history and development.

Rutberg is looking forward to building on his French language skills before pursuing a career in the federal government.

Washington and Lee’s Center for International Education awarded funding to the sophomores to study Arabic in Meknes, Morocco, this summer.

Icy Keneah ’26 turned a childhood love of fun socks into a nonprofit serving communities in Rockbridge County and her hometown of Richmond, Virginia.

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.

Distinguished Alumni Award

This year’s honorees will be recognized during Alumni Weekend from April 30-May 3.

The Learned Hand Professor of Law at Harvard Law School will discuss executive power under the Constitution.

Ayanna Moore ’27 and Charlie Salome Sabines ’28 will participate in the prestigious program this summer at American University in Washington, D.C.