American Politics
PLSC 319: Women and Law
Dr. Mezey
T 4:15pm / LSC
The purpose of this class is to examine the formulation and implementation of public policymaking that governs the legal status of women and men in America. Focusing on federal court decisions as well as legislative and executive actions, the class will deal with the following topics: constitutional legal equality; equal employment opportunity, including equal pay and sexual harassment; educational equality; and reproductive rights.
PLSC 320wi: Con Law--Due Process
Dr. Mezey
W 4:15pm / LSC
This course examines the criminal justice system and the role of the courts in determining the procedural due process rights of the accused. Specific topics include the death penalty (8th Amendment), protection against unreasonable search and seizure (4th Amendment), the right against self-incrimination (5th Amendment), and the right to counsel (6th Amendment). THIS IS A WRITING-INTENSIVE SECTION.
PLSC 322: Con Law--Rights & Liberties
Mr. Walsh
M 7:00pm / LSC
The purpose of this course is to trace the development of, and examine the current status of, individual rights and liberties of persons within the United States as formulated in Supreme Court decisions. Specific topics include freedom of expression; the free exercise and establishment of religion, the right to privacy, specifically, reproductive freedom and gay rights; and guarantees of racial, sexual, and social equality. This class requires close attention to text and the ability to present views and information on the cases both verbally and in writing.
PLSC 328: Political Behavior
Dr. Reifler
TTh 1:00pm / LSC
PLSC 377: American Public Policies
Dr. Tatalovich
TTh 8:30am / LSC
This course focuses on the policy-making process through the use of case studies of eight of the most controversial issues facing America today: abortion, gun control, homosexuality, official English language legislation, pornography, affirmative action, church-state relations, and capital punishment. The approach used is the "stages model" of the policy process in the United States.
PLSC 385: Introduction to Law
Mr. Steele
W 7:00pm / LSC
This course is an introduction to the American legal system in theory and practice. It will examine issues of jurisprudence (legal philosophy), as well as many of the procedural and substantive areas of the law. The course objectives are: (1) to learn the history and evolution of the American legal system; (2) to develop the logical and analytical skills necessary to comprehend legal reasoning; (3) to come to understand many of the general and specific principles that underpin the legal process; (4) to explore many procedural and substantive areas of the law; (5) to apply legal theory and reasoning to specific, factual, case studies; and (6) to come to a "real world" appreciation of the American legal system in operation.
PLSC 387: Politics and the Press
Mr. Smith
TTh 11:30am / LSC
President John F. Kennedy said this about the press: "Always remember that their interests and ours ultimately conflict." What then are the dynamics between politics and the press? What impact does the media have on campaigns, elections, public policy, and presidents? Is the press more powerful than the political parties? What are the media's standards for covering politics? Students will examine these issues by studying the relationships between the press and presidents of the United States from Franklin D. Roosevelt to George W. Bush. Each class will open with a discussion of the current press coverage of President Bush. Students will also track the press coverage of the U.S. war on terrorism and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since this class will be meeting during the Illinois gubernatorial campaign and election, we will the track press coverage of that race. Finally, the class will study media coverage of Chicago's two historic mayors, Richard J. Daley and Harold Washington.
PLSC 390: Urban Politics
Dr. Frendreis
TTh 10:00am / LSC
This course will be a study of political forces that are shaping urban America in the first decade of the 21st century. We will begin by discussing the historical and social roots of city life and city problems. Next, we will examine the political institutions which structure the urban political process. Finally, we will consider a series of issues which are focal points for city and suburban politics. This course will focus on a major aspect of urban life: how the politics, demography, and socioeconomic environments of U.S. cities are changing. We will examine changes in population, political power, political culture, public policies, and moral issues in cities. At the end of the course, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge about the key features of urban government and politics, provide explanations for contemporary urban politics, and utilize appropriate tools to conduct research on an urban political topic.
PLSC 392: Environmental Politics
Mr. Quigley
TTh 8:30am / LSC
This course examines the issues, significant actors, and public policies relating to the environment. It begins with a history of environmentalism and a discussion of the basic issues of environmental politics. It then examines the structures of law and government within the United States directed toward environmental concerns. Finally, the course turns to a discussion of the environmental issues addressed by U.S. governments and the controversies and content of contemporary environmental policies.
LSC=Lake Shore Campus
WTC=Water Tower Campus
PLSC 319: Women and Law
Dr. Mezey
T 4:15pm / LSC
The purpose of this class is to examine the formulation and implementation of public policymaking that governs the legal status of women and men in America. Focusing on federal court decisions as well as legislative and executive actions, the class will deal with the following topics: constitutional legal equality; equal employment opportunity, including equal pay and sexual harassment; educational equality; and reproductive rights.
PLSC 320wi: Con Law--Due Process
Dr. Mezey
W 4:15pm / LSC
This course examines the criminal justice system and the role of the courts in determining the procedural due process rights of the accused. Specific topics include the death penalty (8th Amendment), protection against unreasonable search and seizure (4th Amendment), the right against self-incrimination (5th Amendment), and the right to counsel (6th Amendment). THIS IS A WRITING-INTENSIVE SECTION.
PLSC 322: Con Law--Rights & Liberties
Mr. Walsh
M 7:00pm / LSC
The purpose of this course is to trace the development of, and examine the current status of, individual rights and liberties of persons within the United States as formulated in Supreme Court decisions. Specific topics include freedom of expression; the free exercise and establishment of religion, the right to privacy, specifically, reproductive freedom and gay rights; and guarantees of racial, sexual, and social equality. This class requires close attention to text and the ability to present views and information on the cases both verbally and in writing.
PLSC 328: Political Behavior
Dr. Reifler
TTh 1:00pm / LSC
PLSC 377: American Public Policies
Dr. Tatalovich
TTh 8:30am / LSC
This course focuses on the policy-making process through the use of case studies of eight of the most controversial issues facing America today: abortion, gun control, homosexuality, official English language legislation, pornography, affirmative action, church-state relations, and capital punishment. The approach used is the "stages model" of the policy process in the United States.
PLSC 385: Introduction to Law
Mr. Steele
W 7:00pm / LSC
This course is an introduction to the American legal system in theory and practice. It will examine issues of jurisprudence (legal philosophy), as well as many of the procedural and substantive areas of the law. The course objectives are: (1) to learn the history and evolution of the American legal system; (2) to develop the logical and analytical skills necessary to comprehend legal reasoning; (3) to come to understand many of the general and specific principles that underpin the legal process; (4) to explore many procedural and substantive areas of the law; (5) to apply legal theory and reasoning to specific, factual, case studies; and (6) to come to a "real world" appreciation of the American legal system in operation.
PLSC 387: Politics and the Press
Mr. Smith
TTh 11:30am / LSC
President John F. Kennedy said this about the press: "Always remember that their interests and ours ultimately conflict." What then are the dynamics between politics and the press? What impact does the media have on campaigns, elections, public policy, and presidents? Is the press more powerful than the political parties? What are the media's standards for covering politics? Students will examine these issues by studying the relationships between the press and presidents of the United States from Franklin D. Roosevelt to George W. Bush. Each class will open with a discussion of the current press coverage of President Bush. Students will also track the press coverage of the U.S. war on terrorism and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since this class will be meeting during the Illinois gubernatorial campaign and election, we will the track press coverage of that race. Finally, the class will study media coverage of Chicago's two historic mayors, Richard J. Daley and Harold Washington.
PLSC 390: Urban Politics
Dr. Frendreis
TTh 10:00am / LSC
This course will be a study of political forces that are shaping urban America in the first decade of the 21st century. We will begin by discussing the historical and social roots of city life and city problems. Next, we will examine the political institutions which structure the urban political process. Finally, we will consider a series of issues which are focal points for city and suburban politics. This course will focus on a major aspect of urban life: how the politics, demography, and socioeconomic environments of U.S. cities are changing. We will examine changes in population, political power, political culture, public policies, and moral issues in cities. At the end of the course, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge about the key features of urban government and politics, provide explanations for contemporary urban politics, and utilize appropriate tools to conduct research on an urban political topic.
PLSC 392: Environmental Politics
Mr. Quigley
TTh 8:30am / LSC
This course examines the issues, significant actors, and public policies relating to the environment. It begins with a history of environmentalism and a discussion of the basic issues of environmental politics. It then examines the structures of law and government within the United States directed toward environmental concerns. Finally, the course turns to a discussion of the environmental issues addressed by U.S. governments and the controversies and content of contemporary environmental policies.
LSC=Lake Shore Campus
WTC=Water Tower Campus