ISI Faculty Resource Center

• The senior seminar is a capstone course that examines the current state of American politics and political culture. The course readings reflect on enduring questions of constitutional government and timely issues of politics and policy. The precise topics of the course will be considered with constant reference to America’s founding principles and the enduring debate about the truth and adequacy of those principles.

• Our seminar will involve intensive discussion, which presupposes careful preparation and probing reflection on your part before, and indeed after, each class. Every student will be responsible for framing issues, initiating and advancing discussion, and making connections among the readings and arguments as we proceed through the semester. At times you will be assigned a more formal role in this process.

• You will be required to prepare a short type-written response (approximately 1 page single-spaced) to the reading for each class. These are to be handed in at the start of class. There will be periodic quizzes on the readings. Missed quizzes will not be made up.

• Since we meet only once a week, it is imperative that you attend every class; unexcused absences will result in a lowering of your grade.

• There will be an in-class comprehensive essay examination on November 19.

• You will write a 12-15 page research paper on a topic of your choosing; however, you may not select a topic that you have written on (or will write) for another course. If you have any uncertainty about the eligibility of your topic, please consult me.

• You will be assigned a slot near the end of the semester for an oral presentation of your paper.

REQUIRED BOOKS

1. Akhil Amar, America’s Constitution: A Biography
2. James Bowman, Honor: A History
3. George Carey ed., Freedom and Virtue: The Conservative/Libertarian Debate
4. Carol Swain ed., Debating Immigration
5. Other readings may be added occasionally and will be distributed electronically or in handouts.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

• 12- 15 page research paper 35%
• Class participation 25%
• Examination 25%
• Quizzes, miscellaneous assignments 15%

SCHEDULE

• August 27: Introduction and Overview

• September 10: Bowman, Introduction and Chapters 1-4.
• Research topic due (1-2 page description)

• September 17: Bowman, Chapters 5, 7, 9-11.
  • 4:30-5:30 pm Orgill Room
  • Professor Craig Taylor on the history of honor

• September 24: Amar, Preface and Chapters 1-3.
  • Research bibliography due

• Monday October 1: Amar, Chapters 4-6.

• Monday October 8: Amar, Chapters 9-12 and postscript.
  • Fall Break

• Monday October 22: Carey, Freedom and Virtue

• Monday October 29: Swain, Chapters 1-3, 5.

• Monday November 5: Swain, Chapters 7-9, 11.

• Monday November 12: Swain, Chapters 14, 15, 18

• Monday November 19: Examination

• Thanksgiving Break

• Monday November 26: Research presentations

• Monday December 3: Research presentations

Sample Paper Topics

• Are there welfare rights in the constitution?
• How should the second amendment be interpreted?
• How democratic is the constitution?
• Slavery and the constitution
• The constitution and the separation of powers
• Should the presidential nomination process be reformed?
• Why has immigration reform failed?