american politics
PLSC 300A: Politics and the Economy
Professor Frendreis
MWF 2:45pm / LSC
This course examines how and why the U.S. government influences the economy. The government is the single most important actor in the economy, both as a consumer and as an entity seeking to manage important aspects of the economy. Areas of government influence range from the regulation of markets and private actor behaviors to the promotion of macro-economic outcomes like full employment and low inflation. Among the topics covered during the semester are theories of macroeconomic policies (laissez faire, Keynesianism, monetarism, supply-side economics), the tools of economic policy-making (regulation, fiscal policy, monetary policy), the composition and powers of key governmental institutions overseeing the economy, and the substance of significant areas of economic policy, such as trade policy, regulation of the money supply, tax policy, and policies directed at combating economic downturns like the Great Recession.
PLSC 300A: Women and Politics in America
Professor Matland
MWF 2:30pm / LSC
This course looks at the role of Women in American Politics from several angles. As political scientists looking at the position of women in politics, we can point to gradual improvement in access over the last few decades. Nevertheless, women are severely underrepresented. We will ask why are women so poorly represented? And does it matter? We will spend considerable time studying both of these questions within the American context. The class will in addition look at women as voters, political candidates, and as members of the legislature.
PLSC 300A: Political Socialization
Ms. Istanbouli
W 7:00pm / LSC
PLSC 300A: Mock Trial
Professor Walsh
Th 7:00pm / LSC
This course has two components. The first is to study the history and role of the trial in the American legal process. The second is to prepare for and to compete successfully in intercollegiate mock trial competition. Students will study the trial as a process for finding truth and administering justice by reviewing famous trials in American history. In addition, students will learn the dynamics of the trial by developing trial strategy, by learning how to conduct and respond to direct and cross examination and by delivering effective opening and closing arguments.
PLSC 385: Introduction to Law
Professor Horan
MWF 8:15am / LSC
This course is an introduction to the American legal system in theory and practice. Among the areas to be considered are legal reasoning, the role of precedent, law and official discretion, law and conflicting interests, law and the popular will, law and values, and the role of the lawyer in the legal system and in social change.
PLSC 389: State Politics
Professor Tatalovich
TTh 8:30am / LSC
This course discusses the socio-economic and cultural makeup, institutional and political attributes, and the resulting public policies that characterize our fifty state governments. The existence of fifty states provides many opportunities for using comparative analysis to understand any similarities but, more importantly, the range of differences among our fifty states. Some attention will be given to local governments also.
PLSC 300A: Politics and the Economy
Professor Frendreis
MWF 2:45pm / LSC
This course examines how and why the U.S. government influences the economy. The government is the single most important actor in the economy, both as a consumer and as an entity seeking to manage important aspects of the economy. Areas of government influence range from the regulation of markets and private actor behaviors to the promotion of macro-economic outcomes like full employment and low inflation. Among the topics covered during the semester are theories of macroeconomic policies (laissez faire, Keynesianism, monetarism, supply-side economics), the tools of economic policy-making (regulation, fiscal policy, monetary policy), the composition and powers of key governmental institutions overseeing the economy, and the substance of significant areas of economic policy, such as trade policy, regulation of the money supply, tax policy, and policies directed at combating economic downturns like the Great Recession.
PLSC 300A: Women and Politics in America
Professor Matland
MWF 2:30pm / LSC
This course looks at the role of Women in American Politics from several angles. As political scientists looking at the position of women in politics, we can point to gradual improvement in access over the last few decades. Nevertheless, women are severely underrepresented. We will ask why are women so poorly represented? And does it matter? We will spend considerable time studying both of these questions within the American context. The class will in addition look at women as voters, political candidates, and as members of the legislature.
PLSC 300A: Political Socialization
Ms. Istanbouli
W 7:00pm / LSC
PLSC 300A: Mock Trial
Professor Walsh
Th 7:00pm / LSC
This course has two components. The first is to study the history and role of the trial in the American legal process. The second is to prepare for and to compete successfully in intercollegiate mock trial competition. Students will study the trial as a process for finding truth and administering justice by reviewing famous trials in American history. In addition, students will learn the dynamics of the trial by developing trial strategy, by learning how to conduct and respond to direct and cross examination and by delivering effective opening and closing arguments.
PLSC 385: Introduction to Law
Professor Horan
MWF 8:15am / LSC
This course is an introduction to the American legal system in theory and practice. Among the areas to be considered are legal reasoning, the role of precedent, law and official discretion, law and conflicting interests, law and the popular will, law and values, and the role of the lawyer in the legal system and in social change.
PLSC 389: State Politics
Professor Tatalovich
TTh 8:30am / LSC
This course discusses the socio-economic and cultural makeup, institutional and political attributes, and the resulting public policies that characterize our fifty state governments. The existence of fifty states provides many opportunities for using comparative analysis to understand any similarities but, more importantly, the range of differences among our fifty states. Some attention will be given to local governments also.