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Course Criteria
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3.00 Credits
This course examines the main principles of American constitutional law, the process of constitutional interpretation, and the role of the Supreme Court in the American political system. Topics covered are presidential war powers, congressional-executive relations, free speech, church-state relations, the right to life (abortion, right to die, and death penalty), race and gender discrimination, and the American federal system. A good deal of attention is given to recent personnel changes on the Supreme Court and the extent to which these changes are reflected in the court's opinions. A background in American national government is desirable.
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3.00 Credits
This course is intended to explore some of the causes of citizens' differentiated rates of political participation in American politics, as well as the impact that this has on the representational relationship between constituents and legislators. We will begin with a theoretical overview of some of the unique aspects of our representational system. After analyzing the factors that influence the formation of individuals' political preferences, and their propensity to undertake various forms of political participation, we will focus on the historical developments and reforms that have fundamentally shaped the institutions that connect constituents to their government representatives. We will also review the uses of public opinion polls, and end the class by discussing the consequences of using institutional reforms geared toward "direct democracy" to increase political participation and/or the weight of public opinion on the legislative process.
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3.00 Credits
This course will explore African American political philosophy, primarly focusing on 20th century philosophers. The work of Martin Luther King and Cornel West will be focal points for the course.
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3.00 Credits
This course will trace a long historical arc in considering depictions of the United States South and of the peoples who have lived there. Though we'll dip into the eighteenth century, the course will be roughly divided between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. And while we'll spend most of our time analyzing the relations of blacks and whites, during slavery and after, we'll also consider the experiences of Native Americans, Asians, and Latinos. What role has "the South," as a place both real and imagined, played in the cultural history of the United States? And--as a region almost entirely set apart--how has "the South" figured in the creation of national identity? To what extent has it been used to contain, and even quarantine, the nation's racial problems? We'll dwell on these questions, and others, as we engage with novels, slave narratives, paintings, and films.
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3.00 Credits
This class will expose the student to the practical workings of the U.S. Congress, some major theories attempting to explain those workings, and some of the methods and materials needed to do research on Congress. It will place the study of Congress in the context of democratic theory, and in particular the problem of the way in which the institution across time grapples with the problem of the common good.
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3.00 Credits
This course will examine voting and opinions, and the linkage between political leaders and the mass public. Possible topics include an introduction to electoral analysis; the history of recent electoral politics; the nature of political participation, especially the rationality of voting turnout and non-electoral specialization; party identification and opinions, attitudes, and ideology; social groups and cultural identities; mass media and image campaigns; and differences between presidential and congressional elections.
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3.00 Credits
This course examines the main principles of American constitutional law, the process of constitutional interpretation, and the role of the Supreme Court in the American political system. Topics covered are presidential war powers, congressional-executive relations, free speech, church-state relations, the right to life (abortion, right to die, and death penalty), race and gender discrimination, and the American federal system. A good deal of attention is given to recent personnel changes on the Supreme Court and the extent to which these changes are reflected in the court's opinions. A background in American national government is desirable.
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3.00 Credits
The United States is the most powerful state in the world today. Its actions are important not just for U.S. citizens, but they also affect whether others go to war, whether they will win their wars, whether they receive economic aid, whether they will go broke, or whether they will starve. What determines U.S. foreign policy? What is the national interest? When do we go to war? Would you send U.S. soldiers into war? If so, into which wars and for what reasons? How do our economic policies affect others? Does trade help or hurt the U.S. economy and its citizens? We first study several theories about foreign policy. We then examine the U.S. foreign policy process, including the president, Congress, the bureaucracy, the media, and public opinion. To see how this all works, we turn to the history of U.S. foreign policy, from Washington's farewell address through the World Wars and the Cold War to the Gulf War. We then study several major issue areas, including weapons of mass destruction, trade and economics, and the environment. Finally, we develop and debate forecasts and strategies for the future.
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3.00 Credits
The United States is the most powerful state in the world today. Its actions are important not just for US citizens, but they also affect whether others go to war, whether they will win their wars, whether they receive economic aid, whether they will go broke, or whether they will starve. What determines US foreign policy? What is the national interest? When do we go to war? Would you send US soldiers into war? If so, into which wars and for what reasons? How do our economic policies affect others? Does trade help or hurt the US economy and its citizens? We first study several theories about foreign policy. We then examine the US foreign policy process, including the President, Congress, the bureaucracy, the media, and public opinion. To see how this all works, we turn to the history of US foreign policy, from Washington's farewell address through the World Wars and the Cold War to the Gulf War. We then study several major issue areas, including weapons of mass destruction, trade and economics, and the environment. Finally, we develop and debate forecasts and strategies for the future.
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3.00 Credits
This course introduces students to the vast, complex and exciting dimensions of black Chicago politics. First, institutional structures, geographic distribution and population characteristics will inform students about the sociodemographic background of the African American population in the city. Second, the course explores varying types of political expression that have developed over more than a century, including electoral politics, mass movements, and partisan politics; it will also examine the impact of the Chicago machine, and of the Washington era on the political and economic status of African Americans in the city. Third, public policy developments in housing, education and criminal justice will be discussed. Fourth, the course also compares black political standing with other racial and ethnic groups in the city. Finally, the course will introduce students to the long tradition of social science research centered on the city of Chicago.
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