This independent study is designed to give students preliminary understanding of how history, politics, economics, and the legislative and administrative processes in Washington shape US public policy, and the impact this has on US international relations. Students will be asked to analyze the impact of recent international trade decisions by the Trump Administration, with a focus on what and who drove these decisions, both inside of Washington and out.

This is a stand-alone independent study designed by the student and faculty sponsor that involves frequent interaction between instructor and student. Qualitative and quantitative enrichment must be evident on the proposed contract before consent is given to undertake the study.

Not available at this time

Public historians--whether they work in museums, archives, historic sites, historic preservation firms or agencies, federal offices or elsewhere--take historical insight cultivated in traditional academic arenas and apply them in a wide range of public settings.

Our topic is the politics and impact of energy (especially oil and gas) on democratization and human rights in the Caspian basin in historical and current strategic context. This course will address pluralistic perspectives and awareness of cultural difference and one's self as learner; effective oral and written communication; effective collaborative work; creative and analytical thinking and problem solving; application of methods of analysis to real world problems, and evaluating the consequences and implications of choices and actions.

The Neglected worlds of Edward Dickinson is an undergraduate seminar focused on the public life of Edward Dickinson, father of the famous poet, and the private life of the home he shared with his wife Emily Norcross Dickinson, and their other children. We will begin by reading a modern account of the Dickinson's, with a view toward developing a sense of Edward and his achievements in local, state, and national affairs.

Often seen as a prelude to World War II, the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) was the first major international confrontation between the ideologies of republicanism, fascism, anarchism, socialism and communism. The brutal struggle also left a deep mark on the cultural consciousness of the world, inspiring art such as George Orwell's book Homage to Catalonia and Robert Motherwell's series of paintings called ?Elegy to the Spanish Republic.?

Americans today are experiencing the impact of climate change, as well as urban sprawl, fracking, oil spills, mountains of trash, unsafe drinking water, unhealthy air, and their favorite plants and animals? loss of habitat. How did we get into this mess? How can we get out? This course examines the history of the interaction of humans with the natural environment of North America since European settlement.

The history of American constitutional law from the Reconstruction to the present. Not a casebook course. Major legal constitutional developments, especially the 14th Amendmentoits evolving character and its application. In the 20th century, civil liberties issues and cases; litigation involving nation-state relations, the commerce clause, apportionment, criminal justice cases, etc. Survey course in post-Civil War America to the present helpful.

What are the problems associated with developing equitable and just policy? Why does social policy in the United States continue to be marked by tensions between the principle of equality and the reality of inequalities in social, political, and economic realms? How might policy subvert or reinforce these differences and inequalities? This class examines the history of social policy in the United States, particularly those policies affecting concerns of gender, race, and class.