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POLITICAL SCIENCE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
POLI 323 | POLI 425 | POLI 482 | POLI 433
POLI 323
The Presidency
This course examines the U.S. presidency as a high idiosyncratic, rapidly evolving political institution. The focus will be on the contemporary presidency, with specific attention paid to subtopics, including the study and assessment of the presidency and the presidents; constitutional design, presidential power and leadership; campaigns and elections; public opinion, media and the rhetorical presidency; structural organization of the White House, executive office of the president and the executive branch; relations with Congress and the bureaucracy; and the president’s role in domestic, economic and budgetary policies. Prerequisite: Junior standing or POLI 100.
POLI 425
US Campaign and Elections
This course examines campaigns and elections in the United States as important elements of representative democracy. Candidates, voters, political parties, groups and consultants are evaluated according to the function each serves in the democratic process and the role each plays in electoral politics. Prerequisite: POLI 325 or junior standing.
POLI 482
International Law
This course is designed to introduce students to the complexities of law in the international environment. The course begins by familiarizing students with the American legal system, a brief overview of the international system and how cases are reported in the U.S., as well as the nature of international law. The first half of the class deals with how international law is created by examining treaties, the role of custom, general principles of law and judicial opinions. The second half of the class deals with the United Nations, non-official sources of law and the application of international law in specific instances, including a brief review of human rights. Prerequisites: POLI 280 and any law course.
POLI 433
First Amendment Freedoms
The freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly as defined in important Supreme Court decisions. The problem of liberty versus authority in a democratic regime. The competing theories of First Amendment interpretation by courts. Prerequisite: POLI 230 or junior standing.
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