The course examines how the Supreme Court defines and interprets the Bill of Rights and ensuing amendments, with emphasis placed on freedom of expression, freedom of religion, equal protection of the laws, and privacy rights. It imparts students with an understanding of the historical development and evolution of constitutional doctrine in the areas of civil rights and civil liberties, and the role federal courts and politics play in the policymaking process. Students are encouraged to think analytically and critically evaluate the ways in which the Constitution protects individual rights amid competing claims of the state, groups, and communities. This course offers preparation for upper-level legal and American politics courses.

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The purpose of the course is to offer a study of the structures and processes of American federal government. By examining the structural foundations of the American political system and political linkage and governmental institutions, investigating the role of civic society and non-governmental entities in the policymaking process, and analyzing how the separate institutions of government share power, this course provides students with an understanding of the adoption, development, and purpose of the main institutions in American politics. Students are encouraged to think analytically and critically evaluate claims about the U.S. political system. This course offers preparation for upper-level courses in the subfield of American politics.

Recent syllabus

The course examines the historical development of the American judicial system, the processes and principles by which courts function, what actors are involved, and theories of judicial decision-making. It provides students with an understanding of the evolution and operation of the judiciary, and the role courts play in the policymaking process. Students are encouraged to think analytically and critically evaluate the ways in which law and politics intersect amid competing claims and interests of the state, groups, and communities. This course offers preparation for upper-level legal and American politics courses.

Recent syllabus

Political parties are the primary organizations that place candidates before voters, organize deliberations within political institutions, and seek to adopt and implement public policy. However, parties are not mentioned in the U.S. Constitution and George Washington, in his farewell address, expressed his opposition: “the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and the duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.” Nevertheless, parties occupy a predominant position in American democracy. By examining the role of parties through a historical lens, this course provides students with an understanding of the function, structure, and evolution of parties as organizations, in the electorate, and in government. Students will be encouraged to think analytically and critically evaluate claims about the U.S. political system and the roles parties play in democracy. 

Recent syllabus

By examining the philosophical, political, and jurisprudential foundations of the religion clauses of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, this course provides students with an understanding of the historical development and evolution of constitutional doctrine on religious liberty, and the role federal courts and politics play in the policymaking process. Students will be encouraged to think analytically and critically evaluate the relationship between law and religion in the United States, as interpreted by the Supreme Court amidst competing views, traditions, and actions of the state, groups, and communities. This course offers preparation for upper-level legal and American politics courses.

Recent syllabus (PDF)