Government & Law Newsletter

Politics, leadership, individual rights, elections, public policy—issues that dominate the daily lives of citizens around the world—are the focus of the government and law major. You address such questions as: What are the basic concepts and ideals behind government, here and abroad? What are the most critical political issues facing the United States and the world? What public policies make the most sense in such areas as economics, education, human rights, war and peace, and urban revitalization?

Students who major in government and law are preparing for a wide range of careers in law, government, journalism, education, public service, and business. Within the well-balanced curriculum, the department offers broad coverage of domestic and comparative law and politics, foreign political systems, international issues, urban affairs, and civil liberties.

Through the honors program or independent study, you have the opportunity to work closely with a faculty member on a research project of your choice.

Special Features

The department sponsors a strong internship program. Students earn credit for academically related experiences working for law firms, public interest groups, social service organizations, state and local government, federal agencies, or international organizations.

You can choose an internship during the school year or the summer. “Our internships provide students with concrete intellectual challenges and help them develop a mentoring relationship with a professional in the real world,” says James E. Lennertz, associate professor of government and law, who oversees the program.

The department encourages you to take advantage of study abroad programs and a study program (including internship) in Washington, D.C. In addition, you can get involved in the activities of the student-run Kirby Government and Law Society, the Forensics Society, or the Mock Trial Team. High-achieving students become members of Pi Sigma Alpha, the political science honor society.

The forensics team, founded in 1999, placed fourth and scored its highest ever at the Pennsylvania State Individual Events Association Championship last season. Ten students qualified to compete in the National Forensics Association Tournament. After only three years of competition, the mock trial team qualified for the American Mock Trial Association National Tournament in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Courses

In addition to a series of introductory courses in American, international, and comparative politics, and in political theory, the department offers a series of more advanced courses in each of these fields. Thus, in the field of United States politics, students can focus on legal issues, electoral behavior, the presidency, or Congress.

Within the field of comparative politics, students may focus on Europe or the Third World, Asia, the Middle East, or Africa and Latin America. International politics focuses on the global economy, the foreign policy of a variety of countries (such as the United States, Russia, Germany), and international law and organizations. Courses in political theory cover political thought from the ancient to contemporary era. A few general courses (such as political persuasion and debate), as well as a senior seminar, are also part of the department’s diverse offerings.

The department, often called political science elsewhere, is housed in one of the most historic buildings on campus. The 1930 Beau-Arts­style building was renovated in 1998. The building houses a historical collection of paintings donated by the family of Fred Morgan Kirby, cofounder of the Woolworth Co. The stately oak-paneled Kirby Library holds more than 27,000 volumes and 210 journals, as well as an extensive collection of political films.

The Robert B. and Helen S. Meyner Center for the Study of State and Local Government offers courses, internships, and other public service and research opportunities for students.

It promotes research and engages in public service training and outreach to state and local officials and civic groups. The director, Prof. John Kincaid, is an expert in federalism and editor of Publius: The Journal of Federalism.

As soon as you know that you are interested in a career in law, you will want to become involved in this program which provides information and advice to students intending to pursue graduate education and careers in various fields of law. You can also participate in debate competitions as part of the Forensics Society, present cases in a moot court competition, and play roles on a mock trial team.

Recent graduates have been admitted to top law schools throughout the country, while others have pursued graduate studies in political science, international affairs, or public administration. Still others have gone on to study in such fields as medicine.

Among government and law majors in the Class of 2004, 25 percent went directly to law schools such as Boston College, University of Georgia, New York Law School, Pennsylvania State University, Rutgers University, and Syracuse University. Another 9 percent enrolled in other graduate programs, and 49 percent accepted full-time jobs.

Graduates are employed in a wide range of occupations including Congressional aide, paralegal, law clerk, and security trader, as well as financial analyst, JP Morgan Chase & Co.; production assistant, Fox Family channel; process analyst, Accenture; and investment banking analyst, Merrill Lynch.

Katalin Fabian, (Home Page), Assistant Professor. Ph.D. Syracuse University. Special intrests: comparative politics and international relations, with an emphasis on Central and Eastern Europe, public policy and administration, women and politics.

John Kincaid, Robert B. and Helen S. Meyner Professor of Government and Public Service and Director of the Meyner Center. Ph.D., Temple University. Special interests: federalism, intergovernmental relations, and state and local government. Senior editor of Global Dialogue on Federalism and former editor of Publius: The Journal of Federalism.

James E. Lennertz, Associate Professor. J.D., Harvard Law School. Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania. Special interests: constitutional law, civil rights and liberties, United States politics, environmental law and politics. Recipient of Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award and Daniel Golden ’34 Faculty Service Award.

John T. McCartney, Professor. Ph.D., University of Iowa. Special interests: black politics and political thought, Latin America and the Caribbean, African politics. Recipient of Jones Lecture Award and Marquis Distinguished Teaching Award. Leads study tour to Carribean.

Joshua I. Miller, (Home Page), Professor. Ph.D., Princeton University. Special interests: political theory (ancient, modern, contemporary American.) Recipient of Jones Lecture Award. Author of Democratic Temperament: The Legacy of William James.

Bruce Allen Murphy, (more), Fred Morgan Kirby Professor of Civil Rights. Ph.D., University of Virginia. Special interests: constitutional law, rights and liberties, judicial biography.

Ilan Peleg, Charles A. Dana Professor of Government and Law. Ph.D., Northwestern University. Special interests: Middle East, and international relations. Recipient of Marquis Distinguished Teaching Award, Jones Award for teaching and research, and Van Artsdalen Prize for scholarship. Coeditor of Negotiating Culture and Human Rights and editor of Israel Studies Bulletin. Leads study tour to Middle East.

Helena Silverstein, (Home Page), Professor. Ph.D., University of Washington. Special interests: law and social change, constitutional law, social movements, abortion politics, politcal theory and United States political institutions. Recipient of Jones Lecture Award.

Visiting Faculty

Diana T. Cohen, Visiting Assistant Professor Ph.D., University of Florida. Special interests: American politics, Congress and the Internet, survey research methodology, and gender and politics. Current research project: "The Digital Self: Incumbent Senators on the World Wide Web."

Nicole Freiner, Visiting Assistant Professor Ph.D., Colorado State University. Special Interests: Comparative Politics, Asian Politics, women's movements and state feminism.

David J. Gauthier, Visiting Assistant Professor Ph.D., Louisiana State
University. Special interests: contemporary political thought, modern
political thought. Current research project: "Martin Heidegger,
Emmanuel Levinas, and the Politics of Dwelling."

Samuel A. Hay, Visiting Professor Ph.D, Cornell University. Special interests:  Black politics and drama, theatre history and criticism, and playwriting.  Current research project:  “The Cycle Plays of August Wilson:  A Critical Analysis.” 
 
Part-Time Faculty

Diane Elliott, J.D., University of Miami School of Law, M.S., Environmental Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology. Special interests: environmental law and society, the environment as a human rights issue, the nexus between the environment and emergency management; emergency management and preparedness, land use planning, crime and society, and intergovernmental cooperation.

Leslie Muhlfelder, Adjunct Professor Vice President for Human Resources and General Counsel. J.D., Georgetown University. Special interest: gender and the law.

H. Scott Placke, Director of Forensics M.A., Purdue University.  Special interests:  Rhetoric, theory and criticism, and the works of Kenneth Burke. Coaches Lafayette’s speech and debate team. 

Carol L. Wright J.D., Boston University. Special Interests: the interplay between law and society and the search for justice, especially in the areas of law and the family, the law of gender discrimination, and criminal law and justice. 

Helena Silverstein
Head, Government and Law
(610) 330-5389
silversh@lafayette.edu

For general information:
Office of admissions
Lafayette College
Easton, PA 18042
(610) 330-5100
FAX (610) 330-5355
admissions@lafayette.edu