Course Information

Please see the L&C Catalog for full information about pre-requisites and credits.

POLS 102
Comparative Political Systems
Introduction to the central questions in comparative politics. Examines large differences in the organization of countries (such as democracy and authoritarianism), in democratic political institutions (such as presidentialism vs. parliamentarianism), and in domestic interest organization (political and social; class- and ethnicity-based). Considers the impact of different forms of political organization on economic performance and social peace.

Taught by: Christopher Wendt
cwendt@lclark.edu

Lecture MWF 9:10AM - 10:10AM
John R. Howard Hall, Room 254

POLS 103-01
US Government: National Politics
The politics of the founding period; interactions within and among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches; the federal division of institutionalized powers; public opinion, interest groups, and political parties; the policy process in areas such as defense, welfare, civil rights and liberties, international affairs.

Taught by: Todd Lochner    
tlochner@lclark.edu

Lecture MWF 10:20AM - 11:20AM
Miller Center, Room 104

POLS 103-02
U.S. Government: National Politics
The politics of the founding period; interactions within and among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches; the federal division of institutionalized powers; public opinion, interest groups, and political parties; the policy process in areas such as defense, welfare, civil rights and liberties, international affairs.

Taught by: Ian McDonald    
imcdonald@lclark.edu 

Lecture MWF 8:00AM - 9:00AM
John R. Howard Hall, Room 260

POLS-201
Research Methods in Political Science
Hands-on approach to the methodological principles and issues in political science research, including identifying variables and mechanisms, developing and testing theories, collecting and measuring data, and assessing a study's validity. Exposure to different approaches to research, including experiments, case studies and regression analysis. Helpful for students developing a senior thesis topic. Recommended for sophomores or juniors.

Taught by: Christopher Wendt    
cwendt@lclark.edu

Lecture MWF 10:20AM - 11:20AM
John R. Howard Hall, Room 244

POLS 301
American Constitutional Law: Equal Protection & Due Process
A study of the U.S. Supreme Court and judicial review from 1787 to the present. An examination of the court's landmark constitutional decisions, as well as the theory and techniques of constitutional interpretation. The court's authority within the wider political and social context of American government, with emphasis on the judiciary's role in policing the separation of powers and influencing, shaping, and constraining the American political system. Discussions of actual Supreme Court rulings, majority opinions and dissenting arguments, as well as the political and historical context of those decisions in an effort to understand how and why the Supreme Court has played such an influential role in American politics and American political thought.

Taught by: Todd Lochner
tlochner@lclark.edu    

Lecture MW 11:30AM - 1:00PM
John R. Howard Hall, Room 243

POLS 310
Pillars of Western Political Thought: Plato to Machiavelli
Political theorists and their theories, classical, early Christian, and early modern, and the potential relevance of their enterprise to ours. How we might go about our own enterprise more effectively, linking discipline and imagination. Consideration of six to eight works, in recent years including Plato's Apology, Crito, and Republic; Aristotle's Politics; works by Cicero and Polybius; St. Augustine's City of God; Machiavelli's Prince and Discourses; Hobbes's Leviathan; Locke's Second Treatise.

Taught by: John Holzwarth
holzwrth@lclark.edu    
Lecture TTh  9:40AM - 11:10AM
John R. Howard Hall, Room 245

POLS 350
Congressional Politics
Constitutional foundations and the unfolding of various concepts of legislative power throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The dynamics of Congress, its staffing, and how it and individual members manage different visions of legislative power. Other branches of government examined to illuminate the functioning and malfunctioning of the legislative branch.

Taught by: Ian McDonald
imcdonald@lclark.edu    

Lecture MWF  1:50PM - 2:50PM
John R. Howard Hall, Room 202

POLS 400
Senior Thesis
Choosing a definitive topic and narrowing it; developing a research design, doing the research, submitting drafts, revising drafts, polishing final copy. Presenting thesis to political science faculty and seniors for critique, rewrite of thesis. Final form due at end of semester. Taught annually, 2 semester credits each semester for a total of 4 credits.

Taught by: Todd Lochner
tlochner@lclark.edu    

Lecture M  3:00PM - 5:00PM
John R. Howard Hall, Room 258

POLS 402
Problems in Political Theory: Self Creation
Advanced analysis of a specific problem, theme, or concept intriguing to political theorists. Specific content varies. This fall's theme will be "The Politics of Self-Creation."

Taught by: John Holzwarth
holzwrth@lclark.edu  

Lecture TTh  1:50PM - 3:20PM
John R. Howard Hall, Room 121