Professors: Judge James Menno, Probate and Family Court, A.B., Ph.L., J.D. Boston College; Marie Natoli, A.B. Hunter, Ph.D. Tufts, M.B.A. J.D. Suffolk.

PO 04108  Fundamental Concepts of Politics
Fundamental concepts of understanding political life are introduced by studying American government and politics. The focus is on constitutional arrangements, political ideas, political institutions and processes, and public policies.
Fall, Wed 6:30–9, Sept 4–Dec 11, Professor Natoli

PO 35102  Religion and Politics
What is the relationship between man-made law created by the courts and the legislature and religious values? Is there a religious and moral foundation to our civil law in the United States? What do we do when confronted by a “wrong” law such as segregation? How do we determine if a law is wrong? Should religious and moral codes be part of the fabric of decisional case law? This course, taught by a sitting family court judge, will compare the classic moral thinking of such authors as Plato, Aquinas, Mill and Locke to actual Constitutional decisions on such issues as the war on terror, capital punishment, gay marriage, sexual privacy, immigration, freedom of religion, abortion and the right to refuse medical treatment.
Fall, Wed 6:30–9, Sept 4–Dec 11, Professor Menno

PO 31301  Executive Politics
The political environment in any organization influences how power, control and conflict are used to affect change and develop policy. Course explores the dynamics among executive branch personnel in making public policy in American national government, focusing on the president, White House staff, senior presidential appointees in the agencies and career civil servants. Attention is given to the sources and uses of political power in the executive branch, the various configurations of political conflict found across policy areas, the constraints imposed by the larger political environment; the impact of uncertain international tensions and competing centers of power.
Spring, Wed 6:30–9, Jan 15–May 7, Professor Natoli

Anticipated Political electives 2014-2015
Protecting the Future: Intelligence and Domestic Issues;
Federal and State Relations: Contemporary Issues