The major focus of the course will be the role or place of morality in the historical and recent debates over the nature of law. In addition to an analysis of the criteria of identifying law, legal validity, and the justification of the judicial decision, the course will consider the importance of jurisprudence in helping resolve controversial public policy disputes. Cross-listed with POS 735. This seminar examines the roles of the legislative and executive branches of the national government in public policy formation and implementation. We look at the context of political decision-making, the types of actors and institutions which are involved, their interactions and the influences on their behavior, theoretical models of policy making, and several specific areas of policy.
Special attention is given to the role of ideas in the policy process, particularly ethical ideas.
In addition to discussions of assigned readings, each student will research a policy history in her or his area of interest and analyze the dynamics of policy-making in that area. Cross-listed with POS 721. Problems in Decision-making An issue in foreign policy, domestic urban policy, or workplace or social improvement policies will be studied as to how they were debated, what historical research was or was not used and why, in order to examine our own attitudes and deeper beliefs about history and change. History is considered in relationship to putative policy problems, including corruption and its effect on policy, on failed as well as successful policy ideas. Cross-listed with HIS 748.