Students of government usually specialize in one of the following major branches of the field:

1. AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS - The study of the origin and development of the American political system, the provisions and purposes of the American Constitution, the structure and functions of American Government at every level.
2. COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT - The structure and methods of operation of foreign governments and a comparison of the similarities and differences of various forms of government.
3. INTERNATIONAL LAW AND RELATIONS - Political scientists in this area are concerned with the complex of rules and methods which nations have developed for dealing with each other - international law, diplomacy and agreements, and international organizations, conferences and congresses.
4. POLITICAL PARTIES AND PUBLIC OPINION - Political scientists in this field study the nature and methods of political parties and pressure groups. They analyze the internal structure, operation and ideologies. They conduct public opinion surveys, analyze propaganda and study the various channels of public communication - including radio, television, newspapers, and magazines.
5. PUBLIC LAW - This specialty is concerned with the relationship between the fundamental powers of government and the rights of citizens. At the undergraduate level, public law is concerned with significant cases pleaded before the U.S. Supreme Court, with the structure and function of our dual court system and the behavior of their personnel, and with the politics of justice at the local, state and national levels.
6. POLITICAL THEORY - The political scientists who teach and write in this field deal with the historical development of the national state, the justification for and limit of governmental power, and the relation of the state to other social groups and to individuals. They also formulate laws which describe the underlying principles of politics and government operations.
7. LEGISLATURE AND LEGISLATION - This specialty deals with the structure and operations of law-making bodies and the analysis of laws proposed or enacted.
8. PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION - Emphasis is placed upon the organization and administration of government programs. Particular attention is focused on personnel, public finance, organization and management, planning, administrative theory and law at the national, state and local levels of government. Includes the interrelationship of all levels of government toward solutions to major public economic and social problems.

Contact Information:

Dr. Consuelo Rey-Castro, Chairperson	reyc@elac.edu
Department Location	E5 - 118
Phone	(323) 265-8829

Announcements:

• No announcement available.