|
Located
across the street from the state capitol, Willamette University
is an ideal setting for the study of American politics. Students
are able to test the theoretical knowledge of the political process
gained in the classroom against the practical, hands-on experience
of working in the legislature, in the governor's office, or in a
state agency. The department's vibrant internship program is set
within the context of a diverse curriculum emphasizing the study
of environmental and welfare policy, legislative politics as well
as the initiative and referendum process, political parties, bureaucratic
organizations, and the presidency. Always, the department's focus
on institutions and policies is leavened by a deep commitment to
the study of American political development and political thought,
and a profound engagement with the ethical and evaluative questions
that must be asked of politics in the United States.
The study of American Politics also includes opportunities to examine
the United States judicial process, including its origins, conceptual
foundations, and its influence on public policy. Although the department
offers some specialized courses in the study of public law (Critical
Theories of the Law, Constitutional Law, and Law and Public Policy),
several faculty also utilize exemplary legal cases, court briefs,
and oral arguments in courses not usually considered "pre-law,"
such as Politics 118 (Privacy), Politics 210 (Introduction to American
Politics), Politics 303 (Topics in Political Theory), and Politics
341 (Environmental Policymaking). This reflects the department's
commitment to pursuing analysis of the law in a liberal arts environment,
where law, legal culture, and their influence are considered an
integral thread woven throughout the political fabric of our society.
|
