Students in the Department of Politics and Law earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. We prepare students to address fundamental questions regarding the constitutional, legal, institutional, demographic, and political structures in the United States. Our curriculum emphasizes skills in research design, research methods, public policy analysis, and legal analysis. We prioritize the use of primary source materials such as government bills and proposals, public policy white papers, court opinions and briefs, popular news sources, polling and survey data, and academic literature. Our coursework focuses on building communication skills by emphasizing the importance of careful reading, precise research, clear writing, thoughtful discussions, and polished presentations. 

We encourage our students to pursue opportunities to learn outside of the classroom by interning in offices and organizations related to public affairs, political advocacy, public policy, and law, at the local, state, and national levels. 

A total of forty-four (44) credits as follows: 

1. PLAW 151: U.S. Politics. 

2. PLAW 270: Research Methods. 

3. PLAW 485: Senior Seminar. 

4. One of the following courses: PHIL 216: Philosophy of Law, PHIL 225: Justice, Equality, and Liberty, PHIL 301: Philosophy, Politics, and Power, or PLAW 390: Utopias/Dystopias in Theory and Practice. 

5. INTS 110: Introduction to International Relations or INTS 120: Introduction to Comparative Politics. 

6. Twenty-four additional credits in Politics and Law, 8-credits of which must be at the 300- or 400-level.

7. Students may count up to 8-credits of experiential learning as a 200-level elective (including PLAW 262: Trial Procedures, PLAW 263: Mock Trial, PLAW 460/1: Public Affairs Internship, PLAW 265: Justice in the Courts (2-credits), PLAW 266: Just City and the Memphis Court System, Practicum (2-credits).

8. PLAW 151, 270, and 485 must be completed on campus.

The Department of Politics and Law also offers an interdisciplinary major in collaboration with the International Studies Department. Requirements for the International Studies/Political Science Major are listed under Interdisciplinary Study in the Course Catalogue.

A total of five courses or twenty (20) credits as follows:

1. PLAW 151: U.S. Politics.
2. Two courses at the 200-level. Humanities 201 (Politics Track) may count for a 200 level course.
3. Two courses at the 300-level or above.

PLAW 262, 263, 265, 266, 460, and 461 do not count toward a Political Science minor.

Honors work in Political Science provides majors with an opportunity to participate in independent, in-depth research on a topic of their choosing, further developing their research, reading, writing, and presentation skills. An Honors project serves as advanced preparation for students who may be interested in graduate school or who wish to engage in more focused study of a particular topic.

The process of achieving Honors as a Rhodes College student is subject to both College and departmental guidelines.

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for Honors in Political Science, a student must be either a Political Science major or an International Studies and Political Science Bridge major. A Political Science major must have completed 28 credits of Politics and Law coursework by the beginning of the research project, including PLAW 270. An International Studies and Political Science Bridge major must have completed 28 credits of major coursework by the beginning of the research project, including PLAW 270. At the time of application, a student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and a minimum major GPA of 3.5.

FACULTY PARTICIPATION

The final Honors project requires the approval of an advisor, a departmental reader (second reader), and a reader from outside the student’s department, in accordance with College guidelines. The advisor must be a faculty member in the Department of Politics and Law. Students should ask faculty members to serve in these capacities during the spring semester of their junior year.

If students wish to work with an Honors advisor other than the faculty member teaching their section of Senior Seminar during the fall semester, the professor teaching Senior Seminar must serve as the second reader.

THE HONORS PROCESS

Students interested in learning more about pursuing Honors should communicate their interest to the Chair of the Department of Politics and Law by the spring semester of their junior year.

Professors

Michael Nelson. 1991. Fulmer Professor of Political Science. B.A., College of William and Mary; M.A. and Ph.D., The Johns Hopkins University (American Presidency, Southern Politics, American Politics)

Marcus D. Pohlmann. Emeritus 1986. B.A., Cornell College; M.A., M.Phil. and Ph.D., Columbia University (American Politics, Legal Studies, Education Policy, Black Political Thought)

Associate Professors

Erin A. Dolgoy. 2013. H.B.A., University of Toronto; M.A. and Ph.D., Michigan State University (Political Theory, American Political Thought, Science and Technology Studies, American Politics)

Anna R. Eldridge. 2012. Director of Mock Trial. B.A., Rhodes College; J.D., Duke University (Law, Internships, Pre-Law Advising)

Assistant Professors

Thomas Goodman. 2021. B.S., Northeastern University; M.A. and Ph.D., Boston College (American Politics, Congress, Campaigns and Elections)

Kyu Chul (Casey) Shin. 2021. B.A., Ursinus College; Ph.D., West Virginia University (American Politics, Race and Ethnic Studies, Public Policy)

Be Stone. 2023. B.A., Prescott College; M.A., and Ph.D., The City University of New York (American Politics, Public Policy, Qualitative-Interpretive Research Methods)

Visiting Assistant Professors

Stephen Kipp. 2025. B.A., Western Connecticut State Univeristy; M.A. and Ph.D., University of Delaware (American Politics, Political Behavior, Environmental Politics)