An analysis of the theory underlying American democracy and its relationship to the major political questions of the day, such as the role played by citizens in influencing public policy and the responsiveness (or lack of responsiveness) of governmental institutions. Emphasized are the court's protection of civil liberties, the president's ability to lead the nation, and the rationality of the public's voting behavior. The advantages and disadvantages of proposed reforms of the American system of government are also examined.
This course will examine the purpose, structure and effectiveness of Congress. The main question for the course is: does Congress work? Special attention will be given to the way in which Congress has responded to the various crisis in American history.
This course serves as an introduction to the politics of East Asia, in particular China, Japan, the Koreas, and Taiwan. Topics include the current functioning of political institutions, with an emphasis on each nation's economic, political, and cultural development.
A critical examination of the American Presidency, with emphasis on recent revisionist approaches. Topics include the constitutional basis of presidential power, presidential personality and style of leadership, as well as considerations of executive staffing and presidential-congressional relations.
A survey of the key issues, ideas, events, actors, and institutions in American foreign policy, national security, and international economic relations. The course combines a focus on current issues with an overview of American foreign policy since World War II.
This course explores the way in which political issues have been presented in literature. A variety of novels, short stories, poems, and essays will be analyzed for the insights into politics that they offer.
What is justice? Does it exist? This course undertakes a critical examination of major theories of justice, drawn from political philosophy, theatre, and literature. Typical authors studied include Rawls, Aristotle, Kant, Mill, Sophocles, Hawthorne, and Nietzsche.
A study of the rationale for the criminal law and punishment as well as an examination of the effectiveness of the American justice system. Issues examined include capital punishment, the law of search and seizure, society's response to dangerous drugs, individual versus societal responsibility for crime, and the proper response of a democratic people to crime and criminals.