This course examines past and contemporary political and ethical debates that have shaped, clarified and transformed the meaning of the foundations of the American democratic-republic. At every turn, political and ethical debates in American politics have focused on the meaning of the principles of equality and consent and the moral implications of individual rights. The course will address topics such as the moral foundations of the Founding, the moral character of the Union, the injustice of slavery in a regime dedicated to the principle of equality, justice and the Civil Rights movement, and the progressive critique of the Founding, the rise of the entitlement state and its critiques, as well as current political and ethical controversies. Special attention will be paid to the political speeches of those directly involved in the debates.

This course examines the intersection between political science and the life sciences. The course will examine the biological approach to human behavior, paying special attention to the implications of biological explanations of human behavior for ethics and the so-called natural moral sense, and the foundations of society and political life. Topics to be covered include the biological explanation of ethical choice, law, and international conflict, as well as the political and policy implications of new research in the biological sciences including biotechnology for justice and equality.

This course examines Congress and its constitutional role, paying particular attention to the internal organization of Congress, its legislative process, its budgetary process, its relations with the other branches of government and its role in setting the country’s laws and policies that shape American society. Topics to be covered may include the appointment and removal controversy, congressional oversight, impeachment, war powers and treatymaking, and congressional reform.

This course explores the evolution of the American presidency’s role in the country’s foreign affairs and its influence on American society. In addition, the course examines the question of executive prerogative and the role of the presidency under the constitutional order and its relation to Congress. Among the topics considered are the nomination and election process, the growth of presidential powers, factors in presidential decision-making, and the president’s role in setting the direction of American social policy.

A study of the politics of the policy process covering these basic questions: How do public problems get to the agenda of government? How does government formulate policy alternatives? How does government legitimate public policy? How does government implement public policy? How does government evaluate public policy?

The fundamental proposition of this course is that political leadership makes a crucial difference in the life of a nation. The course will examine how leadership may serve as either a constructive or destructive force in the pursuit of some shared, national goal or purpose. The course will consider a diverse range of leaders and their respective styles and types of leadership. Each leader will be studied in terms of his or her historical context, the means and ends each employed in the pursuit of political goals, and the particular qualities both virtues and vices each embodied as a political leader.

This course examines primate politics, a branch of primatology, and what it can tell us about political life in general and human politics. Students will learn about the basic political structures of the great apes, how they differ, and how an understanding of these primate social structures can help us understand human political behavior. Specific topics include the biological explanations of patriarchy and matriarchy, the biology of dominance structures, and the biology of leadership choice.

This course examines the founding principles of modern constitutionalism and the modern state. Special attention will be paid to the theory and practice of the principles of equality, liberty, and consent. A major effort throughout the course will be made to consider the assessments and prescriptions for modern constitutionalism offered by American and continental political thinkers.

This seminar provides an opportunity to study in-depth any theme, problem or work within the discipline of political science, for example the foundations of self-government, foreign policy, international law and organizations, and the fundamental problems of international relations. Course content will be determined in consultation with the instructor. Teams of students will write a substantial paper on a topic related to the general themes of the seminar.