R Pos 301 History of Political Theory I (3)
An examination of classical texts in political theory from ancient Greece to the 15th century.

R Pos 302 History of Political Theory II (3)
An examination of classical text in modern political thought from the Renaissance to the 19th century.

R Pos 306 Contemporary Democratic Theory (3)
An historical and analytical examination of modern conceptions of democracy. The course will focus on the meaning of democracy, the justifications for democratic self-governments and the variety of models that have been offered as the realization of a democratic society and their forms of democratic legitimization.

R Pos 307 American Political Theory (3)
The development of political thought and action in the American experience.

R Pos 308 Theorists and Theorizing (3)
This course will focus on the work of a single political theorist. Students will become acquainted with the major writings of one theorist who has been chosen both for the historical and contemporary significance of his/her thought and for the purpose of learning the value of in-depth study of works that have such a significance. Along with studying the work of a major theorist, students may examine the different interpretations of that work and the conflicts and problems that arise in the practice of interpretation. May be repeated for credit if topic varies.

R Pos 310 Contemporary Political Philosophy (3)
Analysis of selected perspectives in the political and social thought of the 19th and 20th centuries.

R Pos 313 Feminist Social and Political Thought (3)
The major documents of American, English and Continental feminist thought. Emphasizes chronological development and continuity and change in feminist theory. Particular attention to the directions feminism has taken since the 1960's.

R Pos 314 Problems of Political Inquiry (3)
Introduction to the discipline of political science and contemporary approaches to the study of politics.

R Pos 419Z Seminar in Political Theory (3)
Special topics in political theory and philosophy. Prerequisite(s): two courses in political theory or permission of instructor.
Courses in Public Law.

R Pos 328 (= R Pub 328) Law and Policy (3)
Examination of the role of the of the courts in the public policy process and in substantive policy fields; integrates the literature of law and policy and applies it to such areas as mental health care, corrections, human resources, education, and housing policy.

R Pos 330/H Law, Courts and Politics (3)
The structure and function of the courts in the American political system with special attention to staffing, the decision-making process, judicial policy making, and checks upon judicial power. Students who have taken R Pos 230H may not take R Pos 330 for credit.

R Pos 333 (= A Wss 333) Women and the Law (3)
Examination of the various specific ways in which the law affects women by discriminating on the basis of sex and of the relationship between law and social norms regarding sex roles. Only one of R Pos 333 & A Wss 333 may be taken for credit.

R Pos 335 The American Supreme Court (3)
The role of the Supreme Court in American political life. Topics include: access to the court; the nature of Supreme Court decision making; the selection of Supreme Court justices; the relationship between the Supreme Court and the executive and legislative branches of government; and the major substantive issues with which the Supreme Court has been concerned.

R Pos 336 Civil Liberties (3)
The ways in which the courts have interpreted the Constitution with respect to individual freedoms. Examines a range of source materials to assess the role of the judiciary in arbitrating between the individual and the state, and its implications in American political life.

R Pos 346 (= A Wss 346) Law, Civil Rights, and Sexual Orientation (3)
The course will examine relevant court cases as well as local, state, and federal laws that define the boundaries for legal recognition of sexual orientation and personal sexuality in the 20th Century.

R Pos 363 (= R Crj 353) American Criminal Courts (3)
Examines the organization and operations of state and local criminal court systems from the perspective of social science research and public policy analysis. Major issues include: the role of courts in American society; bail and pre-trial procedures; the roles and decisions of prosecutors, judges and the defense bar; selection and operation of grand juries and trial juries; sentencing of criminal defendants; and others. The operations of juvenile and adult courts are compared, and efforts directed toward court reform are assessed. Prerequisite(s): junior or senior class standing.

R Pos 426Z American Constitutional Law (3)
Examination of basic cases in their historical settings and analysis in terms of legal or constitutional issues and judicial doctrines, including judicial review, separation of powers, division of power, interstate relations, the power to tax and spend, war powers and treaty powers.

R Pos 427Z American Constitutional Law (3)
Examination of basic cases in their historical settings and analysis in terms of legal or constitutional issues and judicial doctrines, civil and political rights, the privileges and immunities of citizenship, due process and equal protection.

R Pos 428 Comparative Legal Systems (3)
Examination of basic cases in their historical settings and analysis in terms of legal or constitutional issues and judicial doctrines in the area of criminal justice, including search and seizure, self- incrimination, the right to counsel, and the right of a fair trial. May not be offered in 2008-2009.

R Pos 437Z Law and Society (3)
Examination of central aspects of the legal process, focusing primarily on Anglo-American common law. Attention to the meaning of law and law's functions; legal education and practice; basic procedural matters, and exposure to the law of manufacturer's liability, contracts and labor management relations (injunctions and administrative law).

R Pos 449 Topics in Public Law (3)
Special topics course in Public Law. R Pos 449Z is the writing intensive version of R Pos 449; only one may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): two courses in Public Law or permission of instructor.

R Pos 449Z Topics in Public Law (3)
Special topics course in Public Law. R Pos 449Z is the writing intensive version of R Pos 449; only one may be taken for credit.
Prerequisite(s): two courses in Public Law or permission of instructor.