The Department of Politics, in collaboration with the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions, offers the Departmental Track in American Ideas and Institutions (AIIP) for students who wish to further and demonstrate their understandings of the three branches of the federal government and the values, ideas, and theories that underlie them and are animated by their workings.  It draws together a menu of courses from American politics, political theory, public law, and other departmental offerings.

Track Requirements

A student in the track is required to complete five courses, one in each of the four topics listed below, as well as one more additionally chosen from any one of the areas.  No individual course number may be counted for more than one track requirement. 

Topic Areas: 

(1) The Executive Branch

• POL 325 The Presidency and Executive Power
• POL 326 Constitutional Difficulties in the Age of Trump
• POL 330 Electing the President: Voter Psychology and Candidate Strategy
• POL 332 Topics in American Statesmanship [when topic deemed relevant by the track adviser]
• POL 485 The Constitution and the Presidency 

(2) The Legislative Branch

• POL 324 Congressional Politics
• POL 329 Policy Making in America
• POL 336 Democratic Representation and Accountability: What Does the Public Want and Do They Get It?

(3) The Constitution and the Courts

• POL 314 American Constitutional Development
• POL 315 Constitutional Interpretation
• POL 316 Civil Liberties
• POL 318 Law and Society
• POL 319/AMS 219/AAS 386 Anti-Discrimination Law
• POL 320 The Politics of Law, Courts, and Judging (previously titled "Judicial Politics")
• POL 326 Constitutional Difficulties in the Age of Trump
• POL 340 The Politics of Policing
• POL 421 AP Seminar: Election Politics and Law (Fall 2022 only)
• POL 423 AP Seminar: The Politics of Supreme Court Appointments (Fall 2024, Fall 2025, Fall 2026 only)

(4) American Political, Legal, and Constitutional Thought

• SPI 370/POL 308 Ethics and Public Policy
• POL 314 American Constitutional Development
• POL 315 Constitutional Interpretation
• POL 316 Civil Liberties
• POL 319/AMS 219/AAS 386 Anti-Discrimination Law 
• POL 321 American Political Thought
• POL 332 Topics in American Statesmanship [when topic deemed relevant by the track adviser]
• POL 413 PT Seminar: Natural Law and Natural Rights (Spring 2026 only)
• POL 420 AP Seminar: Threats to American Democracy (Spring 2026 only)
• POL 485 The Constitution and the Presidency 
• POL 493 The Philosophy of Law in America 
• POL 494 Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Inquiry 
• POL 563/PHI 526 Philosophy of Law

Senior Thesis

While a student in the track must write a thesis on a topic related to the student's primary field, the thesis must also incorporate significant content related to themes in one or more of the topic areas of the track.  The student should meet with the AIIP adviser during the fall semester of senior year to confirm the suitability of their thesis topic.  On or before the thesis draft deadline, the appropriate content of the thesis must be certified by the AIIP adviser.

Questions regarding the Track in American Ideas and Institutions should be directed to John Londregan.