Loyola University Chicago

Department of Political Science

american politics

PLSC 300A: Civil Rights & the Courts
Professor Horan
TTh 10:00am / LSC

This course examines the Civil Rights Movement and its relationship with the judicial system. It focuses on the role of lawyers and the law, and their relationships to direct action and other forms of advocacy in advancing and impeding social change. Among topics included: marches on Washington; the Journey to Reconciliation and Freedom Rides; school desegregation; the murders of Emmett Till and many others; the Montgomery Bus Boycott; Freedom Summer; affirmative action. The course will also consider the conflicts between violence and nonviolence and among law, politics, and morality.

PLSC 300A: Women & Politics in the United States
Professor Matland
TTh 2:30pm / LSC

This course considers women’s role in the American political landscape. The class will look at women as voters, political candidates, and legislators. We will look at whether women vote, campaign, and legislate differently than men.  The questions we will spend the greatest time on are questions of representation.  Today, women hold only six out of 50 governorships, seventeen out of one hundred Senate seats, and 73 out of 435 House seats. There are two major questions that come out of these simple facts. Why are women so poorly represented? And does it matter?  This course spends a considerable amount of time on both of these questions within the American context.

PLSC 300A: Mock Trial I & II
Professor Walsh
Th 7:00pm / LSC

This course has both a short term and long term focus.  In the short term, the course prepares students to compete in American Mock Trial Association tournaments by focusing on the rules of procedure and evidence that govern trials.  In the long term, the course focuses on developing the student's speaking and communication skills by requiring them to deliver arguments and respond to contrary positions in the midst of competition. 

PLSC 320: Constitutional Law--Due Process
Professor Mezey
T 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).

PLSC 326: American National Security
Professor Williams
TTh 11:30am / LSC

This course explores the making and implementation of U.S. national security policies, focusing on national defense and the threat or use of force.  In addition to historical and organizational considerations, we will discuss such issues as military strategy (nuclear and non-nuclear), low-intensity conflicts, terrorism, homeland defense, and intelligence operations.  Throughout the course we will consider the ethical and practical implications of national security policy choices.  Students are encouraged to form their own judgments on these issues.  In this period of rapid changes in the national security environment, students will be expected to become familiar with national and international events affecting U.S. security.

PLSC 384: Judicial Process
Professor Walsh
T 7:00pm / LSC

 

PLSC 390: Urban Politics
Mr. Kelly
M 7:00pm / LSC

This course will provide a foundational understanding of the broad spectrum of policies, processes, and human interactions encompassed within the realm of urban politics.  It introduces the history and processes that shape today's metropolitan regions. The forces of industrialization and deindustrialization, intergovernmental relations, intercity competition, globalization, race relations, suburbanization, and local economic development both affect and are affected by the decisions made by local government officials.  The course not only describes the workings of cities, but also provide a useful perspective through which students can analyze national and international trends.