POLS 395 - Selected Topics in POLS II

Institution:

Point Park University

Subject:

POLITICAL SCIENCE

Description:

In the American constitutional system of limited government and separation of powers, the question of what constitutional authority and restraints exist to provide the legal framework within which policy decisions in this area are made. Because of the complexity of the issues and the very high political stakes, a substantial body of litigation has arisen in regard to these questions, including some very significant cases in the history. United States Supreme Court. The purpose of this course is to offer a survey of some of the most important principles, institutions, issues and problems relating to the question of government power in the national security area, particularly in light of current developments. As advisable as it has always been to relate the material presented in the text to contemporary issues on a continuing basis, it is imperative that we do so during this term, as the law is being written and developed as we proceed. Since 9/11 and the onset of the War on Terror, issues in this area have become more salient, and questions regarding presidential prerogatives in the realm of national security have become more pronounced. In June, 2006, the United States Supreme Court decision in Rumsfield v. Hamdan answered some questions and appeared to have raised many more as the President and Congress seek to devise procedures to address the Court's concerns. These issues will comprise a substantial part of our effort through the entire course. Course Objectives (1) Explain and analyze the meaning of the Constitution's call for providing for the "Common Defense"; Historic Approaches: The Original Understanding (2) Explain and analyze the Role of the Other Branches - Congressional National Security Powers; the role of the Supreme Court and federal judiciary; the Youngstown decision (3) Explain and analyze the President's National Security Powers (4) Explain and analyze Congress' National Security Powers (5) Explain and analyze the Judiciary's National Security Role (6) Explain and analyze Domestic Effect of International Law (7) Explain and analyze the President's powers in General War and "Imperfect War" (8) Explain and analyze the President's Organization for Counter Terrorism: Responding to Terrorism and Investigating Terrorism (9) Explain and analyze trying International Terrorists

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

01/01/2000 - 08/14/2021 

Institution Website:

www.pointpark.edu

Phone Number:

(412) 391-4100

Regional Accreditation:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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