This course examines the basic principles, themes and institutions of American politics. The course will approach the study of American politics from four interrelated topics: 1) American political values and constitutional foundations; 2) mass politics and political socialization; 3) political institutions; and 4) public policy. Current events will be discussed throughout the course in an effort to promote responsible citizenship. In addition to providing a basic overview of American politics, this course seeks to develop critical thinking, group dynamic and communication skills that are transferrable outside the classroom.

This course considers some fundamental and enduring problems about the nature of law and its relationship to society. Legal philosophers, judges, academic lawyers, and political scientists give very different answers to the following questions: What is law? Does law have a function and if so, what is it? Is there a relationship between law and morality? Do citizens have an obligation to comply with law, and if so, what is the nature of that obligation? How does that obligation arise? Do we have an obligation to comply with unjust laws? How should judges in a democratic society decide legal disputes? Our goal is to consider whether and how such questions might be answered. We will consider a variety of recent contributions to legal theory that draw from political and moral philosophy. Readings may be drawn from sources ranging from Ancient philosophy, to most important scholarly contributions and landmark cases in American law and society.

This course investigates developments in law and technology, as well as broader interactions between new technologies, legal development, and social values and principles. We consider ethical and policy implications of new technologies, and the potential and limitations of laws regulating such technologies. Topics include free speech, cyberbullying, privacy, algorithmic bias, and criminal procedure in the digital age. The course will familiarize students with reading legal cases, contemporary scholarly commentary and legislation.