The Politics, Law and the Courts Track (Track C) is designed for Government majors who have a special interest in an in-depth study of the American legal system and its participants.  Following the major’s introductory sequence (Introduction to American Democracy/Political Science Research Methods), students in Track C must take the following three courses during their sophomore and junior years:

In the fall semester GVT 243, “American Constitutional Law,” introduces you to the historical origin of the United States Constitution; terminology related to constitutional concepts; the origin of the power of the Supreme Court of the United States: and the analysis of the Court’s decisions which interpret the powers of the institutions of the federal and state governments.

In the spring semester GVT 244, “Civil Liberties,” gives you the opportunity to study Supreme Court decisions on a broad array of public law issues in which the Bill of Rights and subsequent constitutional amendments are raised by individuals who seek protection from alleged unconstitutional actions of both the state and federal governments.

In your junior year GVT 343, “State Court Process and Policy,” will introduce you to the study of the state court system which is frequently overlooked in many political science curricula but in fact is where most of the reality of law and the courts takes place in the United States.  You will critically analyze the actors in the courts, participate in simulations, and propose court reforms to improve the court system.

During your junior and senior years you must take four elective courses from any government department courses, one of which must be a political theory course.

You should also consider the possibility of a full or part-time internship.

Prelaw advising is available to any student interested in attending law school.

Politics, Law and the Courts Track Sheet