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.

The Department of Politics and Law offers students an opportunity to undertake an intensive study of the Constitution, law, and judicial branch of government, in the Politics and Law concentration.  All students who decide to concentrate in Politics and Law must do a public affairs internship focused on jurisprudence.

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 course in political thought and philosophy.
5. International Studies 110 or International Studies 120.
6. PLAW 460: Public Affairs Internship with a law concentration.
7. Five additional courses (20 credits) in Political and Law, two of which must be at the 300 level. Students may count up to two International Studies courses towards their major.

In satisfying the requirements above, the Politics and Law concentration requires students to take any two of the following courses: PLAW 216: Philosophy of Law; PLAW 262: Trial Procedure; PLAW 264: Rights of the Accused; PLAW 280: Judicial Politics; PLAW 283: Topics in Public Law; and PLAW 301: Civil Liberties. Students may petition the chair to count one non-Politics and Law course that focuses on the study of jurisprudence as a substitute for one of the aforementioned courses.

PLAW 263 does not count toward a Political Science major.

Honors work in the Politics and Law Department affords an opportunity for Political Science majors to investigate topics of their own choosing. Students who complete Honors expand and hone their research and writing skills, as well as their presentation and communication skills. Honors research is excellent preparation for students who intend to pursue graduate and professional school or begin their careers. Majors who pursue honors will devote a substantial portion of their last two semesters at Rhodes to their projects (honors work earns anywhere from eight to twelve credits across two semesters). To be eligible, a student must have completed 28 credits of course work in the major and have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher in the college and in Politics and Law courses. Honors guidelines are available from the chairperson of the department.

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)

Assistant Professors

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

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)

Staff

Hannah Guess. 2020. Departmental Assistant. B.A. and M.A., University of Memphis.