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Political Science

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Political Science

The University of Houston
3551 Cullen Boulevard, Room 447
Houston, TX 77204-3011
Tel: 713.743.3890
Fax: 713.743.3927

Public Law

  • POLS 3345: National Security Law Cr. 3 (3-0). Constitutional and Congressional allocation and judicial review of war-making powers, security issues and organizations, control/oversight of intelligence gathering and covert operations, terrorism, the use of the military.
  • POLS 3346: Human Rights Cr. 3 (3-0). Exploration of the scope, protection, and enforcement of international human rights as well as the politics surrounding their protection.
  • POLS 3350: Public Law and Political Theory Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalents, or consent of instructor. The philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of the Anglo-American legal system, and its impact upon public policy.
  • LST 3351 – Law in Literature and Film Cr. 3 (3-0) Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalent. Study of how literature and film change and reflect laws and the practice of law.
  • LST 3352 – The Supreme Court Cr. 3 (3-0) Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalent. This course introduces students to the procedures of the Supreme Court and explains how law and political factors compete to influence the Justices’ decision-making.
  • LST 3354: Law and Society Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. How the values and attitudes of society influence the content and enforcement of the law and how changes in the law causes changes in society.
  • POLS 3355: Judicial Process Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisite: GOVT 2306. Development and operations of courts and related institutions; impact of judicial decisions upon the political system.
  • LST 3356: Introduction to Constitutional Law: Federalism and Separation of Powers Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. American constitutional law using major Supreme Court cases and other materials.
  • LST 3357: Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisite: POLS 3356. American constitutional principles related to the area of civil rights and civil liberties.
  • POLS 3358: Judicial Behavior Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. Judicial decision-making process in single-judge and collegial courts; interaction among judges on collegial courts.
  • LST 3359: Criminal Justice Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. This course examines the workings of the criminal justice system, including its structure, policing, adjudication, corrections, juvenile justice, crime data, the categories of crime, and the elements of a criminal offense.
  • LST 3385: Introduction to Law Cr. 3 (3-0). Legal reasoning, legal processes, and seven different fields of law. Allows a realistic assessment of the properties, advantages, and shortcomings the legal system.
  • LST 3386: Criminal Law Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306. This course examines both federal and state law using case law and the Model Penal Code to examine offenses against the person and property, imputability, limitations on criminal capacity, special defenses, sentencing, and criminal procedure.
  • POLS 3397:  Selected Topics in Public Law Cr. 3 (3-0).
  • POLS 4353: Contemporary Issues in Law, Politics, and Society Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalent. This course analyzes topics such as free expression, political protests, political representation and voting rights using theories and methodologies of social science.
  • LST 4392: Internship in Public Law Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalent. This internship is intended for students interested in going to Law School or into law-related fields. The internship will provide students with hands-on experience in organizations that focus on public interest law, which seeks to help the public on a wide range of issues related to rights, health and welfare, and the representation of marginalized groups of interest. Interns will be placed in governmental and non-governmental organization or specialized law firms.
  • POLS 4397: Selected Topics in Public Law and Public Administration Cr. 3 (3-0). Prerequisites: GOVT 2305 and 2306 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit when topics apply.