Spring 2012 Course Schedule

Congress, Lawmaking & Foreign Affairs (LAW-935-001)
Caple

Meets: 08:00 PM - 09:20 PM (TTH) - Room 601

Enrolled: 16 / Limit: 35

Administrator Access


Notices

17 November 2011. Dear Students, I'm happy you are considering this lecture course. The goal of this course is to provide you with a practical overview of the constitutional, legal, and procedural framework upon which the U.S. federal government develops, executes, and adjudicates national security, defense, and foreign policy. Not only will we review the constitutional underpinnings of national security policy, but we will also explore the rules, legislation, and regulations that shape and govern how our nation plans, funds, and oversees the agencies that investigate, defend, and negotiate with friends and adversaries alike. This course provides the student with a basic understanding of how to advise, counsel, and advocate for government, commercial, and nonprofit clients in the context of national security policy, constitutional rights, and the federal budget. We look at annual national security legislation; the annual budget, authorization, and appropriation cycle; treaty negotiations, ratification, and enforcement; and how our nation goes to, pays for, and executes the nation's wars. We'll tackle a lot, and we'll debate the role of Congress, the President, and the courts at each step during the semester. I look forward to an exciting semester. Truly, Christopher Caple

Description

This course explores each branch of the U.S. federal government and the laws and institutions that govern foreign relations and national security. It places particular emphasis upon the constitutional framework upon which the legislative, executive, and judicial branches shape the nation's security, defense, and foreign policies. We thoroughly examine Congress' law-making and appropriations power, the President's executive power as commander-in-chief and chief diplomat, and the court's power of judicial review and adjudication of disputes. We will debate and make special reference to post-9/11 statutes and related legal developments under the Bush and Obama Administrations and the congresses since 2001. Successful completion of the course enables the practitioner to understand, implement, and shape the legal structure that they might implement, defend, or challenge in the context of the nation's security policy.

Textbooks and Other Materials

The textbook information on this page was provided by the instructor. Students should use this information when considering purchases from the AU Campus Store or other vendors. Students may check to determine if books are currently available for purchase online.

Foreign Relations and National Security Law, Franck, ISBN: 9780314163073, 3rd Edition, 2007, West Additional materials from the Congressional Research Service, the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Executive Office of the President will be available as the semester progresses.

First Class Readings

To be announced by 3 Jan 2012.

Syllabus

Use your MyAU username and password to access the syllabus in the following format(s):