Governor's School

NONVIOLENT LEADERSHIP

Instructor: Prof. S. P. Udayakumar

Nonviolence has achieved a unique stature in today’s world both as a goal and as a practical strategy in the struggle for peace, both positive peace and prevention of war (negative peace). Gandhi is the most important teacher of nonviolence in modern times. He has pioneered the use of nonviolent resistance as both a spiritual/philosophical approach to life and an intensely practical technique of achieving political and social change. His example has inspired quite a few leaders and social movements around the world. This course will discuss the theory and practice of nonviolence with particular reference to Gandhi along with Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. Focusing on these leaders’ struggles for peace and justice, the course will seek to understand the nature and scope of nonviolent leadership.

GENDER, CULTURE, AND AMERICAN EDUCATION

Instructor: Prof. Cathy Lomauro

Description: The goal of this course is to examine and analyze the American institution of education through the lens of gender and culture. Analyzing the educational system, one of the most formative social institutions we inhabit, with respect to gender allows us not only to explore the workings and consequences of gender within schools, like the gender gap in higher education, but also in society in general. Over the course of our inquiry, we will examine these topics, as well as issues related to sexuality and sex education as they pertain to the American school system.

ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC POLICY: THE PERSONAL, THE LOCAL, AND THE GLOBAL

Instructor: Prof. Hank Suhr

Humans are becoming increasingly aware of the ways that our political, economic, and cultural activities interact with the environment. In this course, scholars will analyze how individuals, groups, cultures, and institutions define and address environmental problems. It will focus on conflicts on local, state, national, and international levels by identifying the participants, their stakes in decision-making processes and problems arising when groups are excluded from these processes. The course will be divided into four main sections, including: local environmental issues, state and national environmental issues, global environmental issues, and a concluding section will integrate approaches to the environmental challenges around us. Students will analyze the historical, philosophical, and political strategies associated with the Civil Rights movement in both New Jersey and the United States. Students will come to understand the political dimensions associated with Civil Rights and the current status of the movement.

ISSUES IN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: FREEDOM, RIGHTS, AND CURRENT CHALLENGES

Instructor: Prof. Jim O’Halloran

This course will examine many contemporary issues related to Constitutional law and how the court’s interpretations have changed since the founding. Using court cases and past precedents as models, this course will attempt to provide the student with a strong background in constitutional law and its application to greater themes like freedom, liberty, rights, etc.