An in-depth examination of current issues in politics. The growth and development of urban areas and the problems that result. Special attention is given to such problems and policy areas as suburban development, race relations, local economic development and citizen action. The place of cities in the national economy and the future of Snowbelt and Sunbelt communities are also discussed. A field trip to Chicago or Detroit will likely be arranged.
Students write a major research paper.
The writing and arguing of case briefs are required. The same approach is employed as an Introduction to Constitutional Law, but the cases covered are the leading ones in the development of American civil liberties. The seminar's major themes are the formation and interaction of states and markets, the institutions governing the flow of commodities, labor and capital, theories of imperialism, hegemonic stability theory, and regime theory, and the role of 'domestic' politics in the creation of governing institutions for regulation of trade, capital and labor flows. Covers geography and economics as well as politics. Considerable attention is given to the Arab-Israeli conflict.