Politics and Law Programs

LGLS 211. The Legal Environment of Business. 3 Credit Hours.

This course emphasizes the nature of legal systems and processes. Topics include agency, contracts, the Uniform Commercial Code, debtor-creditor relationships, government regulation of business, and business structure (selection of a business entity).
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing
Session Cycle: Fall, Spring
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

LGLS 230. Introduction to the U.S. Legal System. 3 Credit Hours.

This introductory law course provides an overview of the U.S. legal system. The course introduces students to various areas of law including the sources of law and the court system, constitutional law, civil law and procedure, criminal law and procedure, and the regulatory state. The course also explores the connection of the U.S. legal system with the international legal system and the legal systems of other countries. Students will acquire foundational understanding of the ways in which the U.S. legal system operates and enhance their ability to analyze and resolve problems.
Session Cycle: Fall, Spring
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

LGLS 320. Global Legal Traditions. 3 Credit Hours.

This course introduces students to the comparative study of law. Students learn how laws differ from the across countries. The course places national laws in the broader context of major legal traditions, including common law, which has been the most influential in shaping American law. Each tradition is examined in terms of its institutions and substantive law, its founding concepts and methods, its attitude towards the concept of change and its teaching on relations with other traditions and peoples.
Prerequisites: LGLS 211 or LGLS 230, Sophomore Standing
Session Cycle: Fall
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

LGLS 330. Criminal Law and Procedure. 3 Credit Hours.

This course focuses on criminal law and procedure. Students learn about the foundations of criminal responsibility, the definition of common crimes, and criminal procedural requirements. The objectives of this course are to learn the substantive and procedural criminal procedure, gain knowledge of constitutional rights in the context of criminal law and procedure, and gain an understanding of the moral, philosophical, and public policy considerations in the use of criminal sanctions. Substantive law topics include how guilt is established, justification of punishment, defining criminal conduct, inchoate crimes. Procedural law topics include right to counsel, search warrant and permissible warrantless searches, jury selection, negotiated pleas, and the rules of evidence.
Prerequisites: LGLS 211 or LGLS 230
Session Cycle: Spring
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

LGLS 351. Civil Rights and Liberties. 3 Credit Hours.

In this course students examine the legal principles and rules that define the nature and limits of American government and the rights of citizens under the Constitution. The course stresses analysis of Supreme Court decisions and their influence on American political and economic development.
Prerequisites: LGLS 211 or LGLS 230
Session Cycle: Fall
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

LGLS 354. Communications Law. 3 Credit Hours.

A study of the legal rights and privileges of communications media, this course emphasizes the following topics: written communications; the problems of right to know versus right of privacy; libel, defamation, copyright, and infringement; examination of regulatory agencies; and theories of the First Amendment.
Prerequisites: LGLS 211 or LGLS 230
Session Cycle: Spring
Yearly Cycle: Varies.

LGLS 356. Law and the Digital World. 3 Credit Hours.

The course provides an overview of legal and policy issues related to the impact of modern technology on society. Students are exposed to the key laws, regulations and cases relating to the digital world. The course is divided in four sections: a study of the infrastructure of the Internet and its regulation; the protection of individual rights in the cyberspace; the protection of society from cyber threats; and the regulation of private companies operating in the digital world. The course explores the legislative and technology landscape in this dynamic area and provides students with opportunities to discuss cutting-edge issues at the intersection of law, technology, and policy.
Session Cycle: Varies
Yearly Cycle: Varies.

LGLS 360. Law and Society. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is an introduction to the field of law and society. Students examine the nature of law and what we can and cannot expect it to do for us; the manner in which law and legal categories shape society; the role of lawyers, judges and other legal actors in the legal system; the basic structure of the judiciary and how cases flow through the court system, and controversial legal issues in such areas as business, medicine, and gender. Emphasis is placed on issues that illustrate the interaction between law and social control and law and social change. The course draws from a variety of perspectives including sociology, political science, history and philosophy. A major goal of the course is to give students a practical foundation in the critical assessment of law and legal thinking as well as improving their ability to make arguments in writing and orally.
Session Cycle: Varies
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

LGLS 380. Sport and the Law. 3 Credit Hours.

Sport acts as a prism on society. Sport can reflect and forecast changes in our society on local, regional, national and international levels. These changes and their interrelationship with Sport are studied in this class.
Prerequisites: LGLS 211
Session Cycle: Spring
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

LGLS 381. International Law. 3 Credit Hours.

International law encompasses the binding rules, norms and principles that govern the interaction among states. This course will introduce students to the basic concepts and problems of international law and of the international legal system, and will cover topics in this field such as the sources of international law, sovereignty, jurisdiction and responsibility of states, treaty law, non-intervention principles, the relationship between international law and national law, dispute resolution and international litigation. It will also address newer themes in international law such as the impact of international organizations and other “actors” in international law, international criminal law, the use of force and terrorism, and international environmental law.
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing
Session Cycle: Fall
Yearly Cycle: Varies.

LGLS 382. Nonprofit Law and Governance. 3 Credit Hours.

This course explores law, governance, and public policy issues surrounding the nonprofit segment of the US economy. Students will learn about the process of forming, maintaining, and governing a tax-exempt nonprofit organization. The course will examine the duties and liabilities of directors and officers, as well as other options to “do good” such as fiscal sponsorship.
Prerequisites: LGLS 211 or LGLS 230
Session Cycle: Spring
Yearly Cycle: Varies.

LGLS 383. Health Law. 3 Credit Hours.

This course investigates how law regulates health and affects the health care industry, health care practitioners, patients, scientists, and other stakeholders. Each semester the topics included in the syllabus vary depending on what is currently debated. A list of topics for a past semester includes infectious disease, privacy, quarantine, FDA regulation, clinical trials, direct-to-consumer advertisement, medical tourism, reproductive health, rationing, abortion, end of life, and others.
Prerequisites: Sophomore Standing
Session Cycle: Varies
Yearly Cycle: Varies.

LGLS 386. History, Law, and the Holocaust. 3 Credit Hours.

This course will explore in depth the Holocaust and its impact on the development of international law after 1945. Topics will include anti-Semitism, the rise of Hitler, the Final Solution, minority rights, domestic legal actions against perpetrators, the Nuremberg International Military Tribunal, Allied military courts, and subsequent national and international trials of accused Nazi war criminals. The course concludes with an examination of some of the leading post-Nuremberg topics in international human rights law today, including peremptory norms, transitional justice, hate speech prohibitions, and Holocaust denial. This is a cross-listed course with HIS 386.
Prerequisites: 200 level History course and sophomore standing
Session Cycle: Varies
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

LGLS 391. Legal Studies Internship. 3 Credit Hours.

Legal Studies internships give students the opportunity for supervised employment in an area where they can apply legal studies theories and principles. Interns work at least ten hours a week, meet periodically with a supervising faculty member, do research on their field of employment, and prepare a substantive report on work experience and research. Approval required by a supervising faculty member and the department chair. Junior standing is required.

LGLS 411. Markets and the Law: The Uniform Commercial Code. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides an advanced look at some of the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code. Topics include contracts, sales, negotiable instruments, and secured transactions. These topics are of particular concern to those who are interested in becoming accountants.
Prerequisites: Junior standing
Session Cycle: Fall
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

LGLS 412. Law of Financial Institutions. 3 Credit Hours.

This course offers a study of the laws and regulations that govern U.S. financial institutions and the federal agencies that regulate those institutions. We analyze the creation and actions of the monetary system and capital markets. We examine the evolution of regulatory efforts and analyze current issues and challenges that face regulators and institutions going forward. In particular, we will examine the 2007-2008 meltdown of the mortgage, securities, banking and derivatives industries, and the federal actions (legislative and regulatory) undertaken in response to those crises, with a particular focus on the provisions of the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010.
Prerequisites: Junior standing
Session Cycle: Spring
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

LGLS 413. Gender and the Law. 3 Credit Hours.

Gender & the Law reviews the history and continuing social battles over gender and gender-relevant issues from a legal lens. Various examples serve as illustrations of how law and policies can and have been utilized to improve and to worsen social problems and discrimination in the United States and in selected foreign jurisdictions and regions. The class examines how, in the United States, law has affected social issues related to gender; sometimes creating the inequalities and inequities for marginalized sex and gender groups and sometimes as instrumental for breaking down barriers for women and transgender persons. The class covers women’s rights movements in other regions of the world and the role of international law and women’s movements. Policy issues can include voting rights; privacy; affirmative action; abortion; reproductive rights; dress codes; rape laws; domestic violence and human trafficking; and discrimination based on sex and sexual orientation.
Prerequisites: LGLS 230 or LGLS 211.

LGLS 443. Legal Ethics. 3 Credit Hours.

Thinking deeply about the nature of "the Good" is the starting point for investigating the purposes of law. To this end, Legal Ethics introduces the student to the leading ethical systems that have guided human thought about the Good. Using examples from both U.S. and international law, the course helps the student to integrate an understanding of ethical systems and theories of moral development into the study of law broadly considered. For qualified students, this course may be taken as a 500-level graduate content level course. Permission of the instructor is required.
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing and one 300-level Legal Studies course or permission of the instructor
Session Cycle: Spring
Yearly Cycle: Varies.

LGLS 451. International Business Law. 3 Credit Hours.

This course will address both the broader issues of government control of international business and the process of doing business overseas. It will compare the unique culture and legal systems of the United States, Europe, Japan and the Middle East. In addition, the course will focus on the mechanics of doing business overseas under international agreements such as GATT, NAFTA and the European Union.
Prerequisites: LGLS 211 or permission of the instructor
Session Cycle: Fall, Spring
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

LGLS 490. Seminar in Politics and Law. 3 Credit Hours.

This seminar is designed as an interdisciplinary capstone course for students in the Politics and Law major. It will include an in-depth examination of a selected theme in politics and law. Each student will work intensively with the instructor to complete a major research project on a topic of their choice, which will be presented to the entire seminar. This course is cross-listed with POLS 490.
Prerequisites: Politics and Law major and senior standing
Session Cycle: Fall
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

LGLS 497. Directed Study in Legal Studies. 3 Credit Hours.

Under faculty supervision, students pursue a well defined area of interest in legal studies.
Prerequisites: LGLS 211 or LGLS 220 and permission of the instructor.

POLS 240. Contemporary Problems and Policy Responses. 3 Credit Hours.

This course places students in a dynamic learning environment within which they learn by wrestling, individually and collectively, with a series of complex, real-world problems. Different problems are selected each semester. The common thread is that these are all intractable problems created or aggravated by human intervention. The problems affect people around the world, but not always in the same ways. Students undertake repeated work cycles to analyze complex problems and evaluate appropriate policy responses. With an emphasis on the “process” of tackling social problems rather than the “end product” of that process, the course engages students in an exploratory learning process to strengthen their problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and ethical reasoning.

POLS 241. Introduction to International Politics. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is an introduction to the field of international politics, also known as international relations. It focuses on a variety of interconnected topics, including the development of the nation-state system and political interactions among countries over issues of war and peace, human rights, and economic and environmental policies. We also explore the evolution and work of international institutions such as the United Nations and the World Bank, and non-governmental international organizations such as environmental and human rights groups.
Session Cycle: Fall, Spring
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

POLS 256. Introduction to U.S. Politics. 3 Credit Hours.

This is an introductory course about the role of U.S. government and politics in American society. After tracing the development of the U.S. Constitution, the course surveys a range of topics including Congress, the presidency, the Supreme Court, federalism, political parties and elections, interest groups, civil liberties, and civil rights. Contemporary domestic policy debates are also covered.
Session Cycle: Fall, Spring
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

POLS 290. Honors Politics of the International System. 3 Credit Hours.

This honors course explores the current international political system. It examines major historical developments that shaped the actors and power distribution of the current system. Next, it explores competing international relations theories that attempt to explain the main motivations and realities guiding the behavior of actors in the system. Then, it focuses on contemporary issues with global implications. Subsequently, it examines recent and future challenges faced by particular key actors in the system as they attempt to shape the global system of the future. It concludes by returning to the system level to consider the prospects for global cultural clashes or peace through globalization. Students receiving credit for POLS 241/GLOB 241, Introduction to Global Politics, cannot receive credit for this class.
Prerequisites: Honors Program
Session Cycle: Fall
Yearly Cycle: Alternate Years.

POLS 291. Honors Contemporary U.S. Politics. 3 Credit Hours.

This honors course covers the ideas and historical factors that shaped the formation and evolution of the U.S. political system. This course surveys a range of topics including Congress, the presidency, the Supreme Court, federalism, political parties, elections, interest groups, civil liberties, and civil rights. It also focuses on the governmental and non-governmental players in the policy making system and goes beyond book knowledge to examine contemporary U.S. politics. Students receiving credit for POLS 256, Introduction to U.S. Politics, cannot receive credit for this course.
Prerequisites: Honors program
Session Cycle: Fall
Yearly Cycle: Alternate Years.

POLS 351. United States Foreign Policy. 3 Credit Hours.

Students in this course survey the instruments, implementation and issues of U.S. foreign policy. Students will learn about America's rise to power and its current role in the world with a focus both on how foreign policy is made and Post WWII U.S. involvements overseas.
Prerequisites: GLOB 241/POLS 241 or POLS 256 or GLOB 290/POLS 290 or POLS 291
Session Cycle: Varies
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

POLS 352. American Political Economy. 3 Credit Hours.

What is the nature of the relationships that exist between government and business, politics and economy, power and money in the United States? And why do these relationships matter? In this course, we will use these questions as a starting-point from which to undertake a critical examination of these relationships as they exist today and to consider where they might be heading in the future, and to generate conclusions about their potential implications - political, economic, and social.
Prerequisites: GLOB 241/POLS 241 or POLS 256 or GLOB 290/POLS 290 or POLS 291
Session Cycle: Fall
Yearly Cycle: Alternate Years.

POLS 353. Political Parties and Elections. 3 Credit Hours.

This course covers the history of party politics, party organization, nominations and elections, voting, and the role of pressure groups, public opinion, and the media in the national electoral process. The course is offered in the fall semester of even numbered years when congressional and/or presidential elections take place.
Prerequisites: GLOB 241/POLS 241 or POLS 256 or GLOB 290/POLS 290 or POLS 291
Session Cycle: Fall
Yearly Cycle: Alternate Years.

POLS 354. The U.S. Congress. 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines the U.S. Congress as a central institution in American government, exploring its structure, organization, and functions. Students will analyze congressional elections, including who runs for office, how campaigns unfold, and the factors influencing electoral success. The course will also cover the internal workings of Congress, including the differences between the House and Senate, the role of political parties, congressional committees, and the legislative process. Additionally, students will explore legislative behavior, the relationship between Congress and the executive and judicial branches, and how institutional norms and rules shape decision-making. The course will also examine its role in shaping public policy, including how legislative priorities are set and the factors that influence which issues gain traction. Core themes of democracy and representation will be emphasized throughout the course.
Prerequisites: POLS 256 or POLS 291 or POLS GLOB 241 or POLS GLOB 290
Session Cycle: Spring
Yearly Cycle: Alternate Year.

POLS 356. The Presidency in Modern American Politics. 3 Credit Hours.

The image of the presidency today as the centerpiece of the American political system is very different than the one originally outlined in the U.S. Constitution. What has brought about this change? How has this transformation impacted the separation of powers and the respective roles of Congress and the Supreme Court? What does the popular image of the president as "chief decider" signify for a democratic system of government? These questions and more guide this course's exploration of the presidency in modern American politics.
Prerequisites: GLOB 241/POLS 241 or POLS 256 or GLOB 290/POLS 290 or POLS 291.

POLS 361. Comparative Politics. 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines the key concepts, issues, and trends in comparative politics. Comparative politics focuses on the study of political organization and behavior using the method of comparison across time and between country cases. The course covers topics such as various types of political systems, political participation, economic development, and nationalist movements/identities. Types of countries covered include: established democracies, authoritarian regimes, communist, and developing countries.
Prerequisites: GLOB 241/POLS 241 or POLS 256 or GLOB 290/POLS 290 or POLS 291
Session Cycle: Varies
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

POLS 366. Politics of Asia. 3 Credit Hours.

This course uses comparative methodology to analyze the government and domestic politics of India, China, and Japan. Students will be introduced to the political institutions and processes of the three countries, and explore the impact of history, cultural dynamics specific to Asia and South Asia, government structures and economic change on political processes. State-society relations are examined within the context of democratization, development, and citizen movements. Issues regarding cultural and scholarly lenses will be addressed through critical examination of relevant materials and theories discussed in class.
Prerequisites: GLOB 241/POLS 241 or POLS 256 or GLOB 290/POLS 290, or POLS 291
Session Cycle: Spring
Yearly Cycle: Varies.

POLS 367. Global Environmental Sustainability and Policy. 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines the intersection of global environmental sustainability issues, political policy, and the world economic issues. It focuses on different trajectories of environmental and ecological politics and thought, and on foundations for policy, with particular focus on climate change. The central premise is that deciding how to respond to climate change is a highly political process involving conflicts over competing values and interests, the growth of international institutions, and the link between climate change and the global economy.
Prerequisites: GLOB 241/POLS 241 or POLS 256 or GLOB 290/POLS 290 or POLS 291
Session Cycle: Fall
Yearly Cycle: Varies.

POLS 391. Political Science Internship. 3 Credit Hours.

Students engage in individually supervised work-study arrangements and learn to apply political science theory and principles in their work environment. Students must work at least ten hours per week on the job, meet periodically with supervising a faculty member, research literature related to the field of the internship, and prepare a substantive report on their internship experience and the studies involved.
Prerequisites: POLS 256 or POLS 291 or GLOB 241/POLS 241 or GLOB 290/POLS 290 and junior standing or approval of a supervising faculty member and the department chair.

POLS 440. Interest Groups and Lobbying. 3 Credit Hours.

Are lobbyists skilled advocates or manipulative influencers? To explore answers to this question, we will examine the role of interest groups and their lobbyists in American politics, analyzing their organization, prominence, and influence. The course will cover campaign finance and the strategies interest groups use to shape policy by influencing those in office. Despite public criticism of special interests, these groups remain deeply embedded in the policy making process, particularly through lobbying efforts in Congress, the executive branch, and the judiciary. We will also examine social movements, exploring the conditions that lead to their emergence, the factors that shape their success or failure, and how they differ from organized interest groups in influencing public policy. By the end of the course, students will have developed a deeper understanding of advocacy, influence, and political representation in the United States.
Prerequisites: POLS 256 or POLS 291 or POLS GLOB 241 or POLS GLOB 290 or Permission of Instructor
Session Cycle: Alternate Fall Semesters.

POLS 462. International Security. 3 Credit Hours.

In this course, students analyze the nature of the modern international system, and the resultant struggle for power, including power politics, balance of power, and war and peace. This course covers the bases and limitations of national power as well as international law, international organization and diplomacy. It applies enduring principles to modern issues and cases.
Prerequisites: GLOB 241/POLS 241 or POLS 256 or GLOB 290/POLS 290 or POLS 291
Session Cycle: Varies
Yearly Cycle: Alternate Years.

POLS 463. Ethics in International Affairs. 3 Credit Hours.

"All's fair in love and war" used to effectively summarize global politics, but in recent years, moral considerations have become major, but still controversial, components of many policy discussions. This course will examine issues such as the ethical constraints on the use of force, human rights norms, issues created by global inequality and by development programs, and ethical implications of the global economy and multinational corporations.
Prerequisites: GLOB 241/POLS 241 or POLS 256 or GLOB 290/POLS 290 or POLS 291
Session Cycle: Varies
Yearly Cycle: Alternate Years.

POLS 464. Political Ideologies - Old and New. 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines first the conflicting political philosophies of liberalism, conservatism, and Marxism which shaped the development of Western democracies and the former Communist countries, and then considers modern ideological debates over third world nationalism, environmentalism, and feminism.
Prerequisites: GLOB/POLS 241 or POLS 256 or GLOB 290/POLS 290 or POLS 291
Session Cycle: Spring
Yearly Cycle: Alternate Years.

POLS 481. Politics of Development. 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines the political, economic, and social structures of the broad array of countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East that make up the developing world. The major challenges faced by these countries and strategies adopted to address them will be identified and analyzed. A historical overview of the evolution of the developing world will explore the impact of colonialism and issues of post-colonialism. Issues of gender, race, ethnicity, sustainable development and the environment will also be explored.
Prerequisites: GLOB 241/POLS 241 or POLS 256 or GLOB 290/POLS 290 or POLS 291
Session Cycle: Varies
Yearly Cycle: Alternate Years.

POLS 483. Politics of International Economic Relations. 3 Credit Hours.

This course focuses on the role of individual country governments, official international economic organizations, and globally-oriented non-governmental organizations (NGO's) in the international economic system. It examines conflict and cooperation among nations, as well as interactions between countries and international institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization, as they engage in the management of trade, investment flows, exchange rates, debt, and the global environment. It also considers politics within individual countries as they affect that country's international economic policies, looking at governmental relations with business, labor associations and other non-governmental organizations as these impact on trade policies, exchange rates, and the regulation of multinational corporations' overseas operations.
Prerequisites: GLOB 241/POLS 241 or POLS 256 or GLOB 290/POLS 290 or POLS 291
Session Cycle: Fall
Yearly Cycle: Varies.

POLS 490. Seminar in Politics and Law. 3 Credit Hours.

This seminar is designed as an interdisciplinary capstone course for students in the Politics and Law major. It will include an in-depth examination of a selected theme in politics and law. Each student will work intensively with the instructor to complete a major research project on a topic of their choice, which will be presented to the entire seminar. This course is cross-listed with LGLS 490.
Prerequisites: Politics and Law major and senior standing
Session Cycle: Fall
Yearly Cycle: Annual.

POLS 497. Directed Study in Politics. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is an opportunity for students to do independent, in-depth study or research for academic credit. The student works on an individual basis under the direction of a member of the political science faculty. The main requirement of the course is the development of a substantial paper or project.
Prerequisites: varies by topic.

POLS ST302. Saving the World with Data. 3 Credit Hours.

This course introduces the scope and methods of contemporary political science research, emphasizing a range of techniques to address complex policy issues at the national and global levels. Political scientists employ a diverse set of tools to collect, analyze, and visualize data. We will hone the skills necessary to conduct research through fieldwork, interviews, surveys, and statistical analysis. To accomplish this, you will engage innovative techniques utilizing statistical software and artificial intelligence (AI). Throughout the course, you will also cultivate an understanding of the ethics involved in research. The practical skills learned in this course are highly transferable and can be applied to various careers after college.
Prerequisites: POLS 256 or POLS 291 or POLS GLOB 241 or POLS GLOB 290 or Permission of Instructor, MATH 201 or Permission of Instructor and Sophomore Standing
Corequisites: Prerequisites may be taken as corequisites only with permission of instructor
Session Cycle: Alternate Spring Semesters.

POLS ST400. Politics and Society of Modern Japan Confucian Culture to Animation Generation. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is designed for upper level Politics and Law majors and minors and Global Studies majors as well as those interested in the dynamic political and social challenges being faced by Japan, the most important ally of the United States in the region. This course uses a comparative perspective to examine the history and present day manifestation of Confucian thought which are key in understanding the way that the Japanese government structures relationships with its citizens. Moreover, the course examines Japanese society and the many changes working to shift and sometimes undo ancient traditions in order to manage such problems as: Japan’s shrinking population, economic stagnation, environmental catastrophe security threats from Japan’s neighbors and the country’s changing relationship with the United States.
Prerequisites: POLS 256 or POLS 291 or POLS/GLOB 241 or POLS/GLOB 290.