Core seminar for the field of law and courts. Provides a broad overview of the range, depth and variety of approaches of current research within this field. Graduate students only. Explores major themes, viewpoints, issues and topics pertaining to the American political system. Themes include stability, change, conflict, American exceptionalism, American political thought, alternative perspectives on democracy, analysis of political parties, interest groups, Congress, the presidency and the courts.
Students review a broad spectrum of comparative research and writing.
Particular attention is paid to differences in perspective on the relation of human beings to the environment. Protection, wise use and preservation policy goals are critically evaluated and issues of environmental justice are considered. Discussion and appraisal of various statistical tools from a theoretical standpoint, and application of statistical methods and procedures in a laboratory situation for the collection, organization and analysis of statistical information in public management research. Lectures supplemented by laboratory work involving computer statistical packages and simulations. Focuses on the means by which government activities can be financed.