This course of study, referred to affectionately as "CLEG," marries four disciplines to create a comprehensive academic program that prepares students to participate effectively in decision making for public affairs. It provides the practical training necessary to deal with social problems as public issues. CLEG students will receive a solid foundation in political science, law, economics and communications, while completing coursework that draws on the interdependence of these four disciplines in the world of public affairs.

Sample CLEG Courses

The courses below are a sample of required courses or electives you may choose as a Politics, Policy and Law (PPL) CLEG major. Browse the University Catalog to learn more about the courses offered in the Department of Government and the Department of Justice, Law and Criminology as well as other elective courses offered across the university.

GOVT-210 Political Power and American Public Policy

Introduction to political power and how the domestic policy process works; how to evaluate American domestic policy, and the content of several major domestic policies such as energy, environment, health, education, welfare, economic stability, labor and justice and social order. View course listing here.

GOVT-315 Elections and Voting Behavior

The role of public opinion, interest groups, social movements, and political parties in plural societies. Analyze problems in political participation, communication, representation, and leadership. View course catalog listing.

COMM-200 Writing for Mass Communication

A course stressing basic writing techniques for unique audiences. Intensive practice in writing for print, web, broadcast, public communication and public service. View course listing here.

COMM-327 The PR Presidency

This course looks at the way public relations, communications, and the media have defined the modern presidency. Campaigning, governing, building public opinion, addressing the nation, making news-all are built on a foundation of public relations and image making, and all are examined in this course. Special attention is paid to the role of the media, especially television, in shaping the presidency. View course listing here.

ECON-100 Macroeconomics

Introduction to the basic principles of aggregate economic analysis. Includes measurement and determinants of national income, unemployment, inflation, economic growth, and business cycles. Topics also include historical perspectives, alternative approaches to economics, and current issues and controversies. View course listing here.

ECON-379 Economics of Environmental Policy

The relationship between economic activity and the natural environment; the meaning and implications of sustainable development. Includes environmental protection, resource conservation, evaluation of environmental costs and benefits, and optimal management of natural resources. Also compares different policy approaches to regulating pollution and the exploitation of common property resources. View course listing here.

JLC-201 Philosophical Problems in the Law

This course provides an introduction to the philosophical perspective of the law. Issues discussed include the nature of law and judicial decision making, criminal responsibility, the justification of punishment, and the moral basis of property rights. View course listing here.

JLC-309 Justice and Public Policy

Examines current basic national, state, and local policy issues that affect the definition of crime and shape public agency responses toward crime. The objective of the course is to sharpen and improve the student's policy-oriented thinking about crime in a constitutional democracy and to develop a method to evaluate policy related to crime. View course listing here.