Sweet Briar College

2010-2011 Catalog Prerequisite: GOVT 159. The study of theAmerican regime from the Revolution to thepresent. Particular focus will be on the evolutionof the concepts of sovereignty, regulation, civilrights, and civic obligations, within the contextof the development of the American state.Offered alternate years. This course cannot betaken on a P/CR/NC grading option. III.W, V.7.Prerequisite: GOVT 159. This course examinesthe evolving power of the nation’s highest court,as well as the biographies and ideologies of itsjustices. It uses past and current legal controversiesand cases to illustrate how the Courthas interpreted the constitutional powers of thepresident, Congress, and states. The class alsofocuses on government regulation of commerceand social welfare. Offered alternate years. V.7.Prerequisite: GOVT 159. This course examinesthe development of constitutional law in theU.S. Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Billof Rights, including religion, speech, and criminaljustice. It studies the constitutional basisof equality in the Fourteenth Amendment andhow the justices have applied it to race and gender.The class uses historical and contemporarylegal cases and analyzes the Court’s expansion/contraction of civil rights and liberties. Offeredalternate years. V.7.Prerequisite: GOVT 122 or one course inLatin American studies. An introduction tothe politics and government of the twenty LatinAmerican republics. Special attention will begiven to the political development of selectedLatin American political systems. Offered alternateyears. V.4, V.7.Prerequisite: GOVT 122. An examination ofpolitical life and development in sub-SaharanAfrica in the post-colonial era, including discussionsof economic development, democratization,conflict, and the role of the West. Offeredalternate years. This course cannot be taken ona P/CR/NC grading option. V.4, V.7.Prerequisite: GOVT 109. A study of the formulation,conduct, and content of contemporaryUnited States foreign policy. V.7.Prerequisite: GOVT 109. Topics will vary bysemester. The course may be repeated for creditwhen the course content changes. Topic for Spring2011: “Grand Strategies of the Great Powers.” Thiscourse examines the content, causes, and effectivenessof the grand strategies of the great powers indifferent international settings. Students will beintroduced to different methods of strategic assessmentto evaluate how leaders attempted to achievetheir international political objectives throughvarious combinations of military, diplomatic, andeconomic means in times of war and peace. Thiscourse cannot be taken on a P/CR/NC gradingoption. V.7.Prerequisite: GOVT 109. This course exploresthe causes of terrorism and insurgency.Conceptual and historical examinations of thesubject will be followed by a consideration ofthe various sources of terrorism and insurgencyincluding the psychological, social, religious,organizational, and strategic influencesthat generate transnational political violence.Students will examine contending argumentspertaining to effective counterterrorism andcounterinsurgency policies. Offered alternateyears. This course cannot be taken on a P/CR/NC grading option. V.7.Prerequisite: GOVT 109. Why and how dostates use military force? What factors bestexplain the origins of war? What are the alternativesto the use of force and when are theyeffective? This course examines critical issues ininternational security studies, striking a balance