Courses

LGST 260 LAW AND POLITICS (3 credits)
Explores the basic issues of law's relationship to contemporary society. Topics include the historical and social functions of law; the culture and role of major actors in the legal system (lawyers, judges, juries, police, technology); tensions between ideals and realities in the law; and the role of law in addressing contemporary problems. Also listed as POLS 260.

LGST 270 PHILOSOPHY OF LAW (3 credits)
Explores "What is Law" in the context of legal structure, power, rule and obligation. Examines the relations between legal rules and the rules of ethics and custom, the case for civil disobedience, the difference between law and mere coercion, the social and ethical foundation of law and legitimacy, the limits of law and the state, citizens' rights against the state and one another, and the norms of our legal system, their beneficiaries and alternatives. Also listed as PHIL 270. (AY)

*LGST 346 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW I: INSTITUTIONS AND DEMOCRACY (4 credits)
An examination, through the study of case law, of the powers and limitations of Congress, the Presidency, the Executive and the Judiciary; federalism; commerce and property rights; and political participation. Attention to the Supreme Court's role in expressing the public philosophy of the nation. Prerequisite: POLS 104 or consent of the instructor. Also listed as POLS 346. (D-D) (AY)

*LGST 348 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW II: CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES (4 credits)
An examination, through the study of case law, of the rights and protections of individuals and groups under the Constitution. Topics include First Amendment rights of expression and religion, aspects of criminal justice, privacy and equal protection of minorities. Attention paid to the Supreme Court's role in expressing the principles that form the public philosophy of the nation. Prerequisite: POLS 104 or consent of the instructor. Also listed as POLS 348. (D-D) (AY)

*LGST 367 WOMEN AND MEN IN AMERICAN SOCIETY (4 credits)
A survey of U.S. social history from 1607 to the present, focusing on the historical contours of female/male sex roles. Topics include marriage, the family, child-rearing, work, education, sexuality, and gynecology and reproduction. Analyzes the effects of war, racism, slavery, immigration, industrialization and consumerism along with abolitionism, temperance, feminism, civil rights and other social protest movements. Prerequisite: An Interpretive Practices course, HIST 121 or 122, or consent of the instructor. Also listed as HIST 367 and WMNS 367. (D-D) (AY)

*LGST 372 INTERNATIONAL LAW I:
SOVEREIGNTY, HUMANITARIAN LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS (4 credits)
Surveys concepts and theories of international law and treaty interpretation, focusing on problems of the international law of war and peace (international humanitarian law), and questions of social-political justice (human rights). Prerequisite: POLS 107 or consent of the instructor. Also listed as PAGS 372 and POLS 372. (D-I) (AY)

*LGST 373 INTERNATIONAL LAW II:
ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT (4 credits)
Surveys concepts and theories of international law and treaty interpretation, focusing on environmental problems and policy making in the global arena. Topics include the emergence of "the environment" as an issue in international politics, managing global common property resources, and sustainable trade and development. Prerequisite: POLS 170. Also listed as POLS 373. (D-I) (AY)

LGST 484 FORD/KNIGHT RESEARCH PROJECT (1-4 credits)
Collaborative research with faculty funded by the Ford/Knight Program

LGST 485 INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-3 credits)
Investigation of a specific topic conceived and planned by the student in consultation with a faculty supervisor. Culminates in a comprehensive report prepared in the style of a thesis or research paper.