LPOL 309 - Power and Democracy in the Nation (4 Credits)

Prerequisite: None
In this course, students will explore the concept of power in a constitutional democracy and analyze the relationship between democracy and political power in contemporary U.S. society. The course will introduce students to the historical foundations, structures and current practices of U.S. government, building a framework for understanding democracy and political power on the federal level. In studying the evolution of American democracy, students will examine the Constitutional framework, debating such key issues as separation of powers; expansion of the presidency; political influence of the judiciary; government regulation of the economy; and the role of social welfare in a democratic system. Students will also examine constraints on democracy, including uneven access to power and inclusion in the political system in terms of race, gender and economic class.