INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL THOUGHT – A survey of classic works of political thought that have shaped our common political language. Students hone their critical and analytical writing skills as they acquire a deeper understanding of some of the most important concepts, problems and debates that shape our public and private lives.

COMPARATIVE POLITICS – An introduction to the diverse ways that political societies throughout the world organize themselves, both politically and constitutionally. The course compares ideological systems such as liberalism and socialism, constitutional frameworks such as parliamentary and presidential systems, and political practices through case studies of nations such as the United Kingdom, France, China, Mexico, and Russia.

AMERICAN CIVILIZATION – This course covers the major events and themes in the development of the U.S. Republic, from its colonial origins to the present day. Special concentration is paid to the development of the American political system. It is meant to provide special background for U.S. students interested in the history of their own nation, as well as Ave Maria’s foreign students who are interested in the history and system of governance of their host country. This course is cross-listed as a history course, HIST 203.

INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL RESEARCH – This course explores the conceptual, theoretical, methodological and analytical foci of political science. Consideration is given to a wide spectrum of theoretical perspectives to highlight how they shape research questions, to research methods, and to units of analysis ranging from the micro-level analysis of individuals to the macro-level analysis of social structures and systems.

INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS – This course provides an introduction to the conteporary international system and its evolution from the nineteenth to the twenty-first centuries. The course offers a contrast of the realist and liberal approaches to international relations in explaining international wars, ethnic conflicts, and economic problems. It also provides a historical overview of major developments in world history relevant to international relations from the nineteenth century to the present day.

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT – Building upon POLT 203, this course is a closer study of the fundamental principles of the American political system and their implications for current policies and practice.

CATHOLIC POLITICAL THOUGHT – A close study of important works of Catholic political thinkers from the patristic period to the present. Besides St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, the course could include texts by Bellarmine, More, Suarez, Tocqueville, Brownson, Santayana, Acton, Maritain, Rommen, Messner, Murray, McCoy, Costanzo, Schall, Molnar, George, Finnis, and the social encyclicals since Pope Leo XIII.

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – This course provides analyses of fundamental tenets of American constitutional law, seminal Supreme Court decisions, and jurisprudential debates about the scope and meaning of the Constitution and of the judicial role in American society. Juridical decisions are placed in historical context, and are considered in light of past interpretations, American history, dominant political philosophies, methods of interpretation and overall coherence.

PUBLIC POLICY – This course considers several prominent issues of public policy and provides and overview of public policy-making processes in the United States. Policy issues considered may include public education, welfare, youth at risk and criminal law, abortion, marriage, human reproduction, health care, immigration, military governance, terrorism, and the environment.

THE UNITED STATES PRESIDENCY – A study of the constitutional design and practical operation of the U.S. Presidency as well as the selection of presidents. The course examines the rise of the modern presidency, the character of executive power, and the nature of democratic leadership.

THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS – An examination of the national legislature comparing the understanding of the Congress at the Founding with contemporary practice. The course considers the key constitutional and traditional differences between the House and the Senate, basic rules and procedures of how a bill becomes a law, the fundamentals of the electoral process, Congressional campaign strategies, redistricting and appointment, and the interaction between Congress and the rest of the “Washington” establishment.

THE JUDICIARY OF THE UNITED STATES – A study of significant operations and powers of federal and state courts. The course also considers the impact of judicial decisions and the possible political role of the judiciary in the United States.

U.S. FOREIGN POLICY – This course offers an overview of key events that have shaped America’s foreign policy from the Revolutionary period to the War on Terror. It also explores America’s strategic and ideological commitments that have shaped these events. Themes examined include the tension between America’s expansionist and isolationist tendencies, its universalistic aspirations, its liberal and realist traditions of thought, and its role as nation-builder with developing countries.

SPECIAL TOPICS IN POLITICS – The topics for this seminar vary. They are determined by faculty and students interests.

SENIOR SEMINAR – The senior seminar is the capstone course for all majors and designed to be the last
course in the Politics sequence. The course has several objects: to present a topic and
texts that comprehend and build upon the student’s previous coursework in the
department; to hone the student’s skill in spoken argument and intellectual conversation; to develop the student’s skill in written argument, through a lengthy term paper; to test the student’s comprehension of seminal works through an oral examination.