American Politics

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

This course focuses on preparing students to compete successfully in intercollegiate mock trial competition.  Student-competitors 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. The course achieves that goal by offering team members the opportunity to improve oral and written communication skills, to test and improve logical reasoning and argumentation skills, and to gain greater knowledge about the role of the trial as a process for finding truth and administering justice.

Students who want to enroll in the course in the spring must make the team and participate in practices, scrimmages and tournaments in the fall semester.  Students who do not participate with the teams in the fall will not be allowed to enroll in the spring.  Students no longer interested in competing after the fall semester will also be prohibited from enrolling in the course in the spring.

PLSC 319: Women, Law & Public Policy
Professor Mezey
W 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. Students will present their research papers to the class at the end of the semester. 

PLSC 326: American National Security
Professor Williams
TTh 10:00am / 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 327: Political Psychology
Mr. Wendell
MWF 9:20am / LSC

This course focuses on the psychological underpinnings of political behavior. Traditionally, political behavior studies focus on the important role of political attitudes. Our attitudes drive our choices in politics. But where do these political attitudes come from? How do we actually form these attitudes in the first place? Political psychologists believe that behind every political attitude is the black box of political cognition, rarely studied in traditional political science. This course carefully opens the black box to explore how our minds interact with political information to form political attitudes. We will survey political psychology research on emotional affect, information processing, and personality.

PLSC 385: Introduction to Law
Professor Horan, SJ
Th 4:15pm / 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 390: Urban Politics
Professor Larnell
MWF 10:25am / 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 390: Urban Politics
Professor Larnell
MWF 2:45pm / 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.