Courses

Study of American legal and constitutional history and the concepts of constitutional law.

The continuing evolution of the Constitution since the Civil War and Reconstruction, changing conceptions of the federal system and rights guaranteed by organic law.

The history of the Constitution of the United States, its sources in the colonial era, and its evolution through decisions of the Supreme Court and constitutional controversies through the Civil War.

Examination of the structure of the federal government and its powers through an analysis of leading cases from the Supreme Court. Topics include federalism, separation of powers, and the proper role and decision-making process of the Supreme Court.

Examines the relationship between the government and individuals in American society through an analysis of Supreme Court cases. The focus is on contemporary questions about the rights of individuals and appropriate limits to freedom of action set by government.

This is a course on constitutional interpretation. Although the focus is on the Constitution of the United States, comparisons with the texts and experiences of other nations and of the several states of the United States will be used to define and illustrate frames of interpretation.

This course introduces students to the history, traditions, and philosophy of criminal courts in America. It focuses on the organizational structures of the courts at the local, state, and federal levels. Students will learn about the various legal actors(e.g., judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys) and the roles they play in the courtroom.

Students explore topics in the cultural and religious history of the people of held by men and women, which have shaped each major period from colonial

A study of the forces which have influenced decisions in the United States’ relationships with other peoples. The colonial background, federalist, and republican leadership, territorial expansion, the Civil War, Seward, Fish, and Blaine, the rise of imperialism, the Far East, Latin America, World Wars I and II, and the Cold War are all covered.

History of American foreign policy from the Revolution to the present.