PS 206: International Law
This three-credit hour class comprises a general overview of the sources of international law, its impact on world politics and the current focuses of international law including piracy, terrorism, war crimes, extradition and jurisdiction and international humanitarian law. The class uses standard lecture and discussions, but also adds the element of moot court and mock trial, allowing students to apply the concepts from class to actual international law cases.
PS 230: Exploring the Legal Profession
This is a one credit hour class, and it is typically taught each Fall Term, on Wednesdays from 5:30-6:50 p.m. The course serves two primary objectives: 1) To provide information regarding law school, including admissions, financial aid, personal statements, and preparing for the LSAT; 2) To provide students with knowledge regarding lawyering as a profession, primarily by having practicing attorneys directly share their insights and experiences. The course is open to all SVSU students who have completed 24 credit hrs. It does not serve as an elective for any specific major, minor, or general education category. Note: This class is not a preparation class for taking the LSAT!
PS 290: Moot Court
This three-credit hour class focuses on one aspect of practice of law-argument in front of an appellate court, in this case the United States Supreme Court. Students work with partners to prepare oral arguments and/or legal briefs on a case involving an important set of constitutional principles, then either participate in the American Moot Court Association regional program or submit a written brief in the brief writing contest. The class uses a minimum of lecture and focuses instead on developing the ability to read, analyze and synthesize Supreme Court decisions, allowing students to apply the concepts from class to a simulated constitutional law case.
PS / CJ 330: American Constitutional Law
This is a three-credit hour class comprises a general overview of American Constitutional Law, focusing upon historical doctrines and cases pertaining to Civil Rights, Civil Liberties, Equal Protection, and Presidential Power. The goal is for students to enhance their understanding of the importance and complexity of the nation’s founding document, along with its evolving interpretation by the United States Supreme Court.
PS 370: Federal & State Courts
This three credit-hour course examines the key participants: lawyers, judges, juries, etc., as well as an array of judicial decisions that illustrate the importance of our legal system. The goal is that students will enhance their understanding of the complexities and realities of the role the courts play in our society, in general, and our political system in particular.
[These courses also utilize judicial decisions and other law-related topics.]
PS 430: Equal Protection & Race Discrimination
This three-credit hour class examines the history of key race discrimination cases handed down by the United States Supreme Court since the nation’s
founding.
PS 319 - Gender and Politics
This three-credit hour class examines contemporary American women’s and men’s relationship to politics by analyzing their connections to the state, their status as citizens, and their political interests and activism. The course focuses on a range of topics including gender differences in political behavior, specific public policies for which women have worked, and the impact and interests of men and women from the Religious Right.
PS 325 - Native American Politics
This three-credit hour class examines the Native American nations’ political relationships with the U.S. government and its non-native citizens. Uses concept of tribal sovereignty as a lens through which to examine tribal, state and federal policy making, as well as cultural politics. Considers related topics such as Native American political movements, Indian gaming, artifact repatriation, and natural resources management.
PS 340 - Religion and Politics
This three-credit hour class studies the relationship between politics and religion from its theoretical and historical perspectives, with a focus on topics ranging from secular challenges to religious faith to the political role of religion in the United States and the world.
PS 346: Animals, Habitats, and Politics
This three-credit hour class examines the environmental and animal rights movements, tracing their historical development and shifting policy goals, with particular emphasis on legislation enacted in the twentieth century.