Academic Offerings
Constitutional Studies Minor
- 24 credit hours
- Interdisciplinary program focused on:
- American constitutionalism, including the structure of government and federalism
- The founding documents and philosophical principles underlying the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and other related texts.
- Statesmanship and civic leadership with emphasis on constitutional interpretation.
Science, Technology, and Society Minor
- 16 credit hours
- Interdisciplinary program focused on:
- The ethical dimensions of scientific and technological innovation
- The political and regulatory governance of science and technology
- The cultural and social impacts of technological change
Study Abroad: Oxford University Constitutional Studies Program
- Study abroad at Pembroke College, Oxford University
- Fully funded two-week, faculty-led program
- Examines the formation of the American Constitution through an immersive study of British and American documents and debates
Course Offerings
CLT 2000 – The American Constitutional Tradition
- Examines the founding principles, core documents, and major debates that shaped the American constitutional order.
- Explores natural rights theory and the development of constitutional government in the United States.
- Considers the Constitution’s historical origins alongside its continuing relevance today.
CLT 2500 – Landmark Cases in American Constitutionalism
- Analyzes major Supreme Court decisions that have defined constitutional meaning and limits of government power.
- Investigates how judicial interpretation shapes liberties and constitutional governance.
CLT 2750 – Complex Leadership Challenges
- Studies leadership decision-making under pressure, including moral, legal, and institutional constraints.
- Uses case studies to examine public d organizational leadership in difficult circumstances.
CLT 3000 – The Ar t of Statesmanship
- Engages classical and American texts to understand statesmanship as a practice of political judgment.
- Treats leadership as a form of moral and civic formation rather than mere technical skill.
CLT 3010 – The Art of Rhetoric
- Develops skills in persuasion, argumentation, and effective civic speech.
- Explores classical and modern rhetorical traditions and their role in public life.
CLT 3020 – Liberalism and Conservatism in America
- Surveys the major intellectual traditions that have shaped American political thought.
- Compares competing visions of freedom and order.
CLT 3030 – Model U.S. Senate
- Provides hands-on experience with the legislative process through a simulated U.S. Senate.
- Emphasizes debate, negotiation, and coalition-building in a constitutional setting.
CLT 3040 – Constitutional Democracy and Democratic Citizenship
- Examines the rights and responsibilities of citizenship within a constitutional democracy.
- Connects democratic theory to the practical workings of constitutional government.
CLT 3500 – Civic Discourse
- Focuses on the practice of civil disagreement and responsible public reasoning.
- Encourages dialogue across political and ideological differences.
CLT 3510 – Competing Theories of Justice
- Introduces classical, modern, and contemporary theories of justice.
- Analyzes how different accounts of justice shape moral reasoning and political order.
CLT 3750 – The Empire of Modern Science
- Investigates the relationship between science, power, and modern political life.
- Assesses how technology influences freedom and human dignity.
CLT 3990 – Special Topics in Civic Thought
- Rotating topics based on faculty expertise.