What to Expect in Class: the Early Years (1996-2002)

Self & Society spring 2000 enjoying a seminar in the Gazebo.
Ryan Cabarrao, from South Africa, (at left) later became the HC soccer coach. 

200 level courses have one main text to explain the basics to you, supplemented by a reader (from which you may choose to present some views) and our great political theories companion (which has short readings from Aristotle and Plato to the present).

The 200 level rhythm often features Monday lectures, Wednesday presentations and Friday discussions -- or sometimes guest speakers or video documentaries. 

This is a good way to get your feet wet in politics. (see Kim, right, at SigEp's soapy waterslide on the Green).

•  But when the spirit and fine weather move us, even on lecture days we used to take a vote on communing under the trees on the green for a seminar. 
• If you're from outside the deep south, winter classes outside in warm sunshine may be something you treasure.  Dr. Lewis, who still has his fur snowblowing hat (from a stint analyzing the Iowa presidential caucuses for NBC news) relishes these more than most!

You  may find yourself among 12 to 30 students, the largest and most popular class being the 201 American Government class in Fall semester. Based on the traditional approach beginning with theory, the constitution, the public, the mass media, elections, and the branches of government, this is the most common way to begin your major field study.

212 American Policy System (every spring) is a sequel to 201 but can be taken by itself.  212 explores the way policy is made in interest group lobbying, Congress and the executive.  Then it explores domestic and foreign policy and the work of the states with a strong focus on Alabama. 

Since the legislature is in session in spring semester, we may observe in 212 the practice of lawmaking first hand on Goat hill, only eight minutes from the college.  We have had our own monitoring project on the Alabama state student grant.

HC graduate Bob Condon, 
running for US Rep in the 
Florida panhandle spring 2000.

• 207 Public Administration (taught every second Fall semester) introduces you to the way diverse government agencies carry out programs ranging from welfare benefits, via economic regulation to a bombing campaign!  It also looks at the way decisions are made.

This group now includes a couple of lawyers, a realtor, a congressional aide, and a rap singer.

• 300 level courses mostly take place Tuesday and Thursday mornings, sometimes in a local cafe for a "surprise breakfast."
• 300 level courses generally have no more than 20 students and emphasize student presentations and discussion. You'll be in the thick of it!
• The instructor responds to some presentations with mini-lectures to illustrate key points or draw comparisons.
• 300 level courses tend not to have just one main text, but instead emphasize anthologies of opposing views for debate.

• We occasionally analyze on TV during presidential debate evenings.  Be sure you have an opinion ready!  (Ryan Oakley tries his skill on WSFA TV, January 1997).

Senior Level Courses

• You may take 481, the internship in politics or law, (by arrangement.)  You may be with a law firm, a politician's office, a government office, or even with a non-profit public interest group.  Often students like to work in the Alabama capitol or in Washington DC for a summer.
• You will take the Senior Capstone in the Fall before graduation, developing a resume, applications, and a research project as well as a videotape of a presentation. 
• You engage in some classic readings before completing a major research paper.  You will probably develop a real interest in  particular topic during your studies and take this chance to pursue it -- possibly to postgraduate study.  In Amy Garrett's case, her paper in non-profit management led her to a Master's of Non-Proft Management at Case Western Reserve University.