500

The course covers the evolution and contemporary shape of political knowledge, learning, and civic engagement in American democracy. To be studied is formation and change in political learning, attitudes, values and identities, and the influence of socialization, media, and the cultural and educational environment. Students learn how to gather data, conduct analysis, and report on the state of civic education and engagement through oral presentation, research, and written analysis.

The course examines the intersection of the presidency, the Congress, and the judiciary under the dictates of the Constitution. Topics covered include: the powers and the weaknesses of the presidency as an institution; the authority of unilateral action; presidential prerogatives; presidential war powers; the relationship between the president and the Congress; the presidency and civil rights and civil liberties; presidential efforts to alter judicial interpretation.

Intensive cross national comparative study and analysis of the government and politics of several of the states of Western Europe including the United Kingdom, France, Germany and other countries. The course will also examine the growing impact of the European Union on domestic politics and growth of multilayered governance in an era of increasing social change and globalization.

The course will compare and contrast the macro-institutions of societies. The course will review the theoretical literature, case studies and empirical tests of the various hypotheses of how macro-political institutions affect public policy and/or protect minority rights.

The course covers, broadly, six areas: creating the new Europe, institutions and decision-making processes of the European Union (EU), policies of the EU, enlargement, EU in the world, and transatlantic relations.

The graduate seminar focuses on the nature of foreign policy, the American foreign policy process and the challenges the United States faces abroad.

An in-depth examination of selected areas of political science for graduate students. Topics are determined by faculty and student interests and emphasize recent developments in the discipline. Examples of topics may include the following: Public Opinion and Elections, Issues in Constitutional Law, Comparative Political Institutions, The Foundations of Political Parties and Interest Groups, Congressional Delegation of Authority, The Growth of the Executive Branch and Topics in Public Policy.

An in-depth examination of selected areas of political science for graduate students. Topics are determined by faculty and student interests and emphasize recent developments in the discipline. Examples of topics may include the following: Public Opinion and Elections, Issues in Constitutional Law, Comparative Political Institutions, The Foundations of Political Parties and Interest Groups, Congressional Delegation of Authority, The Growth of the Executive Branch and Topics in Public Policy.

The course is intended for individual work at the graduate level in areas where regular courses are unavailable. Topics determined through prior consultation with instructor.