courses of instruction - Lafayette College

GOVERNMENT AND LAW
subfields), a subfield (concentration) minor
(one introductory course and five other
courses in a subfield), or a thematic minor.
A student who wants to pursue a thematic
minor must submit to the Department
Head a statement explaining the rationale
and the plan behind his/her idea.
INTRODUCTORY COURSES
101. Introduction to United States Poli
tics. An examination of the American po
litical system, its institutions and process
es. Topics studied include political behav
ior, the Constitution, the Congress, the
Presidency, the courts, and current foreign
and domestic issues. Recommended to
students who have not had an adequate
secondary school preparation in American
government. Mr. Kincaid, Mr. Lennertz,
Mr. Murphy, Mr. Shea, Ms. Silverstein
102. Introduction to International Poli
tics. This course reviews the main issues
and problems confronted by the interna
tional system and the literature devoted to
them. The course deals with phenomena
such as peace and war, integration and
disintegration, economic and military as
sistance, formulation and execution of for
eign policy. Special emphasis is placed on
stability and change in the global system.
Mr. Englehart, Ms. Harrison, Mr. Peleg
103. Introduction to Comparative Poli
tics. A survey of governments and politics
in the industrialized and Third World
countries. The course examines the ques
tion of what it means to compare political
systems and explores the historical setting,
nature of political participation, political
values, governmental structures, and po
litical performance of selected countries in
Western Europe, Asia, the Middle East,
Africa, Latin America. Mr. Englehart,
Mr. McCartney
104. Introduction to Political Theory.
This course introduces students to several
of the most important thinkers and
themes in the tradition of political theory.
The topics and texts of the course will
vary, but students can expect to confront
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such issues as justice, equality, and power,
and to read both classic and contemporary
authors. Mr. Miller, Ms. Silverstein
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
AND POLITICS
204. Gender and the Law. This course ad
dresses the role of gender in the U.S. legal
system. The course explores the impact of the
constitution and legislation on gender-based
issues such as employment, discrimination
(including gender-based affirmative action),
equal pay, sexual harassment, educational
opportunity, reproductive rights, family
leave, and child custody. Ms. Muhlfelder
207. Black Politics in the United States. A
study of the changing situation of Blacks in
U.S. politics since the 1950s. Some ways in
which Congress, the Presidency, the Su
preme Court, the bureaucracy, and local
governments have affected Blacks and oth
er minorities. Analysis of Black experiences
in American politics in light of constitution
al theory and the everyday operation of po
litical institutions and processes. Specific
problems related to racism and socioeco-
nomic status. Mr. McCartney
211. State and Local Government and
Politics. Examines what state and local
governments do and why. Topics include
state constitutions; state legislative, execu
tive, and judicial processes and policymak-
ing; state and local budgets, taxes, and
spending; county, municipal, special-dis
trict, and school-district governments and
services; state and local parties, elections,
interest groups, and media; intergovern
mental relations; Native American tribes,
homeowner associations, and associated
states; and selected policy issues such as
civil rights, crime, business and economics,
health care, and environmental protection.
[W] Mr. Kincaid
213. Law and Society. Investigation of the
dynamics of the legal process in the regu
lation of social conflict, change, and con
trol. Topics include philosophical sources;
the administration of criminal and civil
justice; and litigation as politics. [W]
Mr. Lennertz, Ms. Silverstein