U.S. Government and Politics - PLS 135 at Northern Virginia Community College


         
 
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PLS 135 - U.S. Government and Politics
Teaches the political structure, processes, institutions, and policymaking of the US national government. Focuses on the three branches of government, their interrelationships, and how they shape policy. Addresses federalism; civil liberties and civil rights; political socialization and participation; public opinion, the media; interest groups; political parties; elections; and policymaking. The assignments in the course require college-level reading fluency and coherent communication through written reports. This is a Passport and UCGS transfer course.
Lecture 3 hours. Total 3 hours per week.
3 credits

Schedule at Northern Virginia Community College

Summer 2026 ➜

Live Schedule
Class # Section Credits Day Time Start Location Mode
68486 PLS 135-50YA 3
  Tu Th  
6:00 p.m.-7:45 p.m.
 2026-05-18 Virtual and NOL - Real Time HY
Hybrid Course
1st 6 Week
50% of class time is live streamed via Zoom; students are expected to attend class via Zoom on the days and times listed on the schedule. 50% of class work is completed online, independently, via CANVAS. Reliable internet access and a computer are required.
63479 PLS 135-70YN 3
  Tu    
9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
 2026-06-15 Virtual and NOL - Real Time HY
Hybrid Course
50% of class time meets in person, on campus; students are expected to attend class in person on the days and times listed on the schedule. 50% of class work is completed online, independently, via CANVAS. Reliable internet access and a computer are required.
2nd 6 Week
63594 PLS 135-E40A 3
       
0:00 a.m.-0:00 a.m.
 2026-05-18 Virtual and NOL WW
NOVA Online courses are 100% online requiring students to have reliable access to a computer and internet service. This class has no scheduled meeting times. Due dates can be found in the syllabus. This is a fast-paced accelerated 1st 8-week course. This course uses no-cost textbook materials. Students can opt out on a semester basis of the All Access program, which charges a per-credit fee for textbook materials. For more information and instructions on how to opt out, please visit the All Access page on the NOVA website. Starts May 18.
OER-no cost textbooks
63595 PLS 135-E41L 3
       
0:00 a.m.-0:00 a.m.
 2026-05-18 Virtual and NOL WW
NOVA Online courses are 100% online requiring students to have reliable access to a computer and internet service. This class has no scheduled meeting times. Due dates can be found in the syllabus. This is a fast-paced accelerated 1st 8-week course. This course uses no-cost textbook materials. Students can opt out on a semester basis of the All Access program, which charges a per-credit fee for textbook materials. For more information and instructions on how to opt out, please visit the All Access page on the NOVA website. Starts May 18.
OER-no cost textbooks
64315 PLS 135-E55N 3
       
0:00 a.m.-0:00 a.m.
 2026-06-15 Virtual and NOL WW
NOVA Online courses are 100% online requiring students to have reliable access to a computer and internet service. This class has no scheduled meeting times. Due dates can be found in the syllabus. This is a fast-paced accelerated 2nd 8-week course. This course uses no-cost textbook materials. Students can opt out on a semester basis of the All Access program, which charges a per-credit fee for textbook materials. For more information and instructions on how to opt out, please visit the All Access page on the NOVA website. Starts June 15.
OER-no cost textbooks

Fall 2026 ➜

Live Schedule
Class # Section Credits Day Time Start Location Mode
99258 PLS 135-001A 3
  Tu Th  
12:45 p.m.-2:05 p.m.
 2026-08-24 Alexandria P
85158 PLS 135-001N 3
  Tu Th  
11:10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
 2026-08-24 Annandale P
Class meets on campus, on the day(s), time, and location listed on the class schedule.
OER-no cost textbooks
85159 PLS 135-002N 3
 M W   
12:45 p.m.-2:05 p.m.
 2026-08-24 Annandale P
Class meets on campus, on the day(s), time, and location listed on the class schedule.
OER-no cost textbooks
87249 PLS 135-01YW 3
 M     
7:00 p.m.-8:20 p.m.
 2026-08-24 Virtual and NOL - Real Time HY
Fifteen Week
50% of class time is live streamed via Zoom; students are expected to attend class via Zoom on the days and times listed on the schedule. 50% of class work is completed online, independently, via CANVAS. Reliable internet access and a computer are required.
Hybrid Course
85396 PLS 135-040L 3
 M W   
2:20 p.m.-4:05 p.m.
 2026-09-08 Loudoun P
85695 PLS 135-40YM 3
    Th  
7:00 p.m.-8:20 p.m.
 2026-09-08 Virtual and NOL - Real Time HY
50% of class time is live streamed via Zoom; students are expected to attend class via Zoom on the days and times listed on the schedule. 50% of class work is completed online, independently, via CANVAS. Reliable internet access and a computer are required.
Hybrid Course
2002 PLS 135-41YA 3
    Th  
6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
 2026-09-08 Virtual and NOL - Real Time HY
Hybrid Course
Thirteen Week
50% of class time is live streamed via Zoom; students are expected to attend class via Zoom on the days and times listed on the schedule. 50% of class work is completed online, independently, via CANVAS. Reliable internet access and a computer are required.
85665 PLS 135-E05N 3
       
0:00 a.m.-0:00 a.m.
 2026-08-24 Virtual and NOL WW
15-week Online course offered by NOVA Online. NOVA Online courses are 100% online requiring students to have reliable access to a computer and internet service. This class has no scheduled meeting times. Due dates can be found in the syllabus. This is a digital open course. No textbook purchase required. This course uses no-cost textbook materials. Students can opt out on a semester basis of the All Access program, which charges a per-credit fee for textbook materials. For more information and instructions on how to opt out, please visit the All Access page on the NOVA website. Starts August 24.
OER-no cost textbooks
85666 PLS 135-E06L 3
       
0:00 a.m.-0:00 a.m.
 2026-08-24 Virtual and NOL WW
Thirteen Week
OER-no cost textbooks
15-week Online course offered by NOVA Online. NOVA Online courses are 100% online requiring students to have reliable access to a computer and internet service. This class has no scheduled meeting times. Due dates can be found in the syllabus. This is a digital open course. No textbook purchase required. This course uses no-cost textbook materials. Students can opt out on a semester basis of the All Access program, which charges a per-credit fee for textbook materials. For more information and instructions on how to opt out, please visit the All Access page on the NOVA website. Starts August 24.
85667 PLS 135-E60A 3
       
0:00 a.m.-0:00 a.m.
 2026-09-22 Virtual and NOL WW
3rd twelve-week NOVA Online Course. NOVA Online courses are 100% online requiring students to have reliable access to a computer and internet service. This class has no scheduled meeting times. Due dates can be found in the syllabus. This is a digital open course. No textbook purchase required. This course uses no-cost textbook materials. Students can opt out on a semester basis of the All Access program, which charges a per-credit fee for textbook materials. For more information and instructions on how to opt out, please visit the All Access page on the NOVA website. Starts September 22
OER-no cost textbooks
85668 PLS 135-E80A 3
       
0:00 a.m.-0:00 a.m.
 2026-10-21 Virtual and NOL WW
NOVA Online courses are 100% online requiring students to have reliable access to a computer and internet service. This class has no scheduled meeting times. Due dates can be found in the syllabus. This is fast-paced accelerated 4th 7-week course. This is a digital open course. No textbook purchase required. This course uses no-cost textbook materials. Students can opt out on a semester basis of the All Access program, which charges a per-credit fee for textbook materials. For more information and instructions on how to opt out, please visit the All Access page on the NOVA website. Starts October 21.
OER-no cost textbooks
85669 PLS 135-E81A 3
       
0:00 a.m.-0:00 a.m.
 2026-10-21 Virtual and NOL WW
NOVA Online courses are 100% online requiring students to have reliable access to a computer and internet service. This class has no scheduled meeting times. Due dates can be found in the syllabus. This is fast-paced accelerated 4th 7-week course. This is a digital open course. No textbook purchase required. This course uses no-cost textbook materials. Students can opt out on a semester basis of the All Access program, which charges a per-credit fee for textbook materials. For more information and instructions on how to opt out, please visit the All Access page on the NOVA website. Starts October 21.
OER-no cost textbooks
85670 PLS 135-E82W 3
       
0:00 a.m.-0:00 a.m.
 2026-10-21 Virtual and NOL WW
NOVA Online courses are 100% online requiring students to have reliable access to a computer and internet service. This class has no scheduled meeting times. Due dates can be found in the syllabus. This is fast-paced accelerated 4th 7-week course. This is a digital open course. No textbook purchase required. This course uses no-cost textbook materials. Students can opt out on a semester basis of the All Access program, which charges a per-credit fee for textbook materials. For more information and instructions on how to opt out, please visit the All Access page on the NOVA website. Starts October 21.
OER-no cost textbooks
87886 PLS 135-PW1W 3
 M W   
11:10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
 2026-08-24 Woodbridge P
Class meets on campus, on the day(s), time, and location listed on the class schedule.
Fifteen Week
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