american politics
PLSC 218: African-American Politics
Professor Larnell
TTh 8:30am / LSC
This course analyzes the history of the relationship between African Americans and the American political system at various levels, including traditional party affiliation, political participation, voting, and movements. We will explore the effect of legal decisions and public policies, as well as Black elected officials, on the descriptive and substantive representation of African Americans. Special emphasis will be placed on Black politics in Chicago.
PLSC 300A: American Politics in Popular CultureMr. Fullam
W 4:15pm / LSC
This course will exam the ways in which popular culture in the United States helps us better understand the American character -- particularly the attitudes and beliefs that citizens have regarding our government and political system. Using popular film, television, and music, the class will provide a rigorous introduction to some of the underlying influences on the American public that have shaped our political/governmental culture and, in turn, an examination of how public attitudes and beliefs have shaped the tools of popular culture. Why is our interpretation of mass media's portrayal of elected officials important? How do depictions of the political process not only impact our views on issues, but also the mechanics of government? The readings, assignments, lectures, and class discussions will illustrate (and raise questions concerning) the main contours of American society and the American story, as well as consider the ways in which our self-image as a people shapes, reflects and contradicts reality through film, television, and music.
PLSC 322: Constitutional Law--Rights & LibertiesProfessor Mezey
T 4:15pm / LSC
The purpose of this course is to trace the development, and examine the current status of, individual rights and liberties of persons within the United States as formulated in Supreme Court decisions. Topics include freedom of expression; the establishment of religion; the right to privacy, and guarantees of racial and gender equality. This is a discussion-intensive course that requires close attention to text and the ability to present views and information on the cases. In addition to examinations, grades will be based on papers, including a 10-page research paper, and class participation.
PLSC 326: American National SecurityProfessor Williams
MWF 10:25am / 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 328: Political Behavior
Mr. Wendell
TTh 2:30pm / LSC
This course will focus on political behavior, with particular emphasis on political attitude formation and voting behavior in the United States. Political science has long been interested in how citizens think about politics. Are we knowledgeable about politics? Are we politically ideological? How do parties impact our political beliefs? Students in this course will investigate several important models of political behavior while considering these interesting questions (and others). This course will also examine some of the new research on biology and political behavior.
PLSC 381: American Presidency
Professor Tatalovich
TTh 8:30am / LSC
This course discusses the presidency from the dual perspectives of historical evolution and contemporary developments since Franklin D. Roosevelt. Special attention is given to how some of the leading scholarly thinkers have understood presidential power and presidential leadership.
PLSC 385: Introduction to Law
Professor Walsh
Th 7:00pm / LSC
This course is an introduction to the American legal system and a survey of its substantive components. The goal of this course is to understand why the law is not simply a compilation of rules randomly arrived at, but rather a system that seeks to achieve certain goals by particular means. We will pursue this goal by studying those areas of the law that most first year law students will study, along with the role of the lawyer in the legal system.
PLSC 390: Urban Politics
Professor Larnell
T 4:15pm / LSC
This course focuses on American city politics, policies, and problems throughout history and now. We will explore the structure and processes of local government and politics, intergovernmental relations, and the relationship between private economy and city development. The course examines the problems of poverty, race, education, transportation, and housing in America's cities, with a special emphasis on Chicago.
PLSC 392: Environmental Politics
Professor Frendreis
TTh 10:00am / 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, the content of environmental policies, and emerging issues of sustainability.
PLSC 218: African-American Politics
Professor Larnell
TTh 8:30am / LSC
This course analyzes the history of the relationship between African Americans and the American political system at various levels, including traditional party affiliation, political participation, voting, and movements. We will explore the effect of legal decisions and public policies, as well as Black elected officials, on the descriptive and substantive representation of African Americans. Special emphasis will be placed on Black politics in Chicago.
PLSC 300A: American Politics in Popular CultureMr. Fullam
W 4:15pm / LSC
This course will exam the ways in which popular culture in the United States helps us better understand the American character -- particularly the attitudes and beliefs that citizens have regarding our government and political system. Using popular film, television, and music, the class will provide a rigorous introduction to some of the underlying influences on the American public that have shaped our political/governmental culture and, in turn, an examination of how public attitudes and beliefs have shaped the tools of popular culture. Why is our interpretation of mass media's portrayal of elected officials important? How do depictions of the political process not only impact our views on issues, but also the mechanics of government? The readings, assignments, lectures, and class discussions will illustrate (and raise questions concerning) the main contours of American society and the American story, as well as consider the ways in which our self-image as a people shapes, reflects and contradicts reality through film, television, and music.
PLSC 322: Constitutional Law--Rights & LibertiesProfessor Mezey
T 4:15pm / LSC
The purpose of this course is to trace the development, and examine the current status of, individual rights and liberties of persons within the United States as formulated in Supreme Court decisions. Topics include freedom of expression; the establishment of religion; the right to privacy, and guarantees of racial and gender equality. This is a discussion-intensive course that requires close attention to text and the ability to present views and information on the cases. In addition to examinations, grades will be based on papers, including a 10-page research paper, and class participation.
PLSC 326: American National SecurityProfessor Williams
MWF 10:25am / 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 328: Political Behavior
Mr. Wendell
TTh 2:30pm / LSC
This course will focus on political behavior, with particular emphasis on political attitude formation and voting behavior in the United States. Political science has long been interested in how citizens think about politics. Are we knowledgeable about politics? Are we politically ideological? How do parties impact our political beliefs? Students in this course will investigate several important models of political behavior while considering these interesting questions (and others). This course will also examine some of the new research on biology and political behavior.
PLSC 381: American Presidency
Professor Tatalovich
TTh 8:30am / LSC
This course discusses the presidency from the dual perspectives of historical evolution and contemporary developments since Franklin D. Roosevelt. Special attention is given to how some of the leading scholarly thinkers have understood presidential power and presidential leadership.
PLSC 385: Introduction to Law
Professor Walsh
Th 7:00pm / LSC