Political Science Courses

Political science courses help hone the skills you'll need for law school. They include courses that offer a basic introduction to law, experience in reading cases and legal theory, as well as advanced courses that delve into specific legal issues. Students interested in law school should take at least one course covering each of these areas.

I. General Introduction to American Law

POLN 207 INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN LAW

Knowledge of American law is important to everyone living in the United States, and this course provides an introduction to areas of law that most people will encounter in their daily lives. This course begins with an examination of the U.S. court system and the role of lawyers in the United States. Next it covers criminal law and criminal procedure. Several classes cover various aspects of civil law such as consumer law, contracts, torts, and family law. The course concludes by studying constitutional law and employees' rights in the workplace. 3 credits

II. Courses Emphasizing Reading of Cases

POLN 202 American POLITICAL THEORY

This course studies the ideas that have informed American government in the past 250 years by examining Supreme Court cases and presidential speeches in addition to the work of political theorists. Students will learn to read Supreme Court cases and see how they have informed ideas about American politics. 3 credits.

POLN 222 INTERNATIONAL LAW

A case study approach to the nature, role, and function of international law. Special attention is given to the origins and sources of international law and to its role in contemporary international relations. 3 credits

POLN 309 CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES

This course examines how the Supreme Court has determined the extent to which individual rights and liberties are protected by the Constitution. Most readings are taken from Supreme Court opinions that explain how provisions in the Bill of Rights affect government regulation of individual behavior. Prerequisite: POL 101 or permission of the instructor. 3 credits

POLN 310 THE SUPREME COURT AND THE CONSTITUTION

The role of the Supreme Court in the American system of government. A study of major constitutional problems that have arisen in the light of representative Supreme Court decisions. Prerequisite: POL 101 or permission of the instructor. 3 credits.

III. Courses Emphasizing Legal Theory

POLN 201 INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL THEORY

This course surveys political theory from ancient Greece to the nineteenth century. Emphasis is given to the role of law in organizing political systems. Students will find that knowing the ideas of Hobbes, Locke and Montesquieu will help them when they go to law school. 3 credits.

POLN 246 JUDICIAL POLITICS

The judicial branch of American government as a policy-making institution. The course studies how judges use their power to influence the outcomes of trials and other legal proceedings and how they reinterpret laws and regulations through judicial review. The course also examines how judges influence the processes that guide government agencies, and on occasion directly determine both the policies and the procedures of certain agencies. 3 credits.

POLN 311 INTRODUCTION TO LEGAL PRINCIPLES

This course examines whether the law is or should be guided by moral principles and, if so, what these principles ought to be. It considers the ideals of punishment and whether punishment should be devised so as to provide retributive justice or to advance social utility and deterrence. Students are introduced to some of the major schools of legal thought and to principles underlying some of the major bodies of law or constitutional law, in particular the relationship between democracy and constitutional law. Prerequisites: POL 101 or permission of the instructor. 3 credits.

IV. Courses Offering Training in Oral Argument

POL 309 CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES

POLN 360 DEBATING JUSTICE

This course teaches students to debate current issues in public policy with reference to the underlying values of American law and government. Through the format of competitive Lincoln-Douglas debating, students develop affirmative cases that are linked to these values. Students also learn argumentative strategies and cross-examination skills.