RN to BSN Program
About J.D. Fisher
Title: Professor of Political Science; Pre-Law Advisor
Programs: Political Science, Legal Studies
Areas of Specialization: Law and Politics, Reproductive Politics, American Politics, Political Theory
Education: Ph.D., University of Wisconsin at Madison; J.D., William and Mary School of Law; B.A., Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
J.D. Fisher has been teaching at Edinboro University since the fall of 2000; he is also an alumnus of the school (class of 1993, with degrees in political science and English). He is a professor of political science and the University's pre-law advisor, and served as chair of his department from 2008 to 2012.
Professor Fisher teaches courses in law and politics, American politics, and political theory. He is particularly interested in the law and politics of abortion and contraception. Professor Fisher gives public lectures and participates in public forums discussing constitutional and legal issues including First Amendment rights, issues regarding sexual orientation and gender expression, and abortion and reproductive rights. He also provides political analysis to the Erie Times-News and local television news organizations.
Professor Fisher trained as a community organizer with the Gamaliel Foundation and served as the vice president of a local political advocacy group. He has been an officer in the faculty labor union of the State System of Higher Education. He has served also on the local and state Boards of Directors of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania.
Professor Fisher has been nominated twice for Edinboro's Educator of the Year award.
Office hours, spring 2013
Tuesday 4:15-5:45 pm, 232 Hendricks
Tuesday & Thursday 1:00-2:00 pm, 232 Hendricks
Wednesday 1:00-2:30 pm, Porreco Center
If my office hours conflict with your schedule, feel free to e-mail to make an appointment at a different day or time.
Links
Reproductive Politics Blog: I discuss issues related to contraception, abortion, and family planning
Politics.Edinboro: A Facebook page where I discuss politics with students and colleagues.
Lectures on American politics: Many of my lectures on American politics have been videotaped. You can watch them here.
Courses, spring 2013
POLI 343, Law and Legal Systems
Class time: TR 9:30-10:45 am (section 001); TR 11:00-12:15 am (section 002)
Class location: 202 Hendricks Hall
Syllabus: Click here
Course description: This course is a comprehensive introduction to law and legal systems, with a focus on the American legal system. Topics discussed include the concept of law; types of law; legal traditions; the legal process; legal analysis; judicial decision-making; and the structure and behavior of the major components of the legal systems including courts, lawyers, judges, and agents of legal mobilization.
POLI 463, Civil Liberties
Class time: T 6:00-8:30 pm
Class location: 202 Hendricks Hall
Syllabus: Click here
Course description: In this course, students analyze American constitutional law regarding individual and group freedoms. Topics include freedom of expression, free exercise of religion, separation of church and state, substantive due process, reproductive rights, sexual freedom, equal protection of the law, theories of constitutional interpretation, and the dynamics of Supreme Court decision-making.
POLI 201, American Government
Class time: MW 12:30-1:45 pm
Class location: Porreco Center Barn Room 007
Syllabus: Click here
Course description: This course is a comprehensive introduction to the major features, components, processes, and dynamics of American politics and the American political system. This course trains students to become more thoughtful consumers of current events, and therefore more active and thoughtful participants in American political life.
Recently offered courses
POLI 201, American Government (Fall 2012)
Syllabus: Click here
Course description: This course is a comprehensive introduction to the major features, components, processes, and dynamics of American politics and the American political system. This course trains students to become more thoughtful consumers of current events, and therefore more active and thoughtful participants in American political life.
POLI 372, Political Thought II (Modern Political Thought)(Fall 2012)
Syllabus: Click here
Course description: In this course students will explore the most important topics in politics-- justice, freedom, equality, obligation, and the role of the state in people’s lives—by discussing and evaluating the writings of major modern political philosophers and thinkers. Students are asked to read carefully, write thoughtfully, and argue openly– in short, teach themselves about political thought in the liberal arts tradition.
CRIM 100, Introduction to Criminal Justice (Fall 2012)
Syllabus: Click here
Course description: This course provides a broad overview of the theory, structure, development, and performance of the American system of criminal justice. Topics include, among others, the concept of crime; criminal behavior; American criminal law; constitutional limits on government power related to crime and justice; and the theory, structure, and practice of policing, adjudication, and corrections.
POLI 343, Law and Legal Systems (Fall 2011)
Syllabus: Click here
Course description: This course is a comprehensive introduction to law and legal systems, with a focus on the American legal system. Topics discussed include the concept of law; types of law; legal traditions; the legal process; legal analysis; judicial decision-making; and the structure and behavior of the major components of the legal systems including courts, lawyers, judges, and agents of legal mobilization.
POLI 370, Political Thought I (Ancient and Medieval Political Thought)(Spring 2012)
Syllabus: Click here
Course description: In this course students will explore the most important topics in politics-- justice, freedom, equality, obligation, and the role of the state in people’s lives—by discussing and evaluating the writings of major ancient and medieval political philosophers and thinkers. Students are asked to read carefully, write thoughtfully, and argue openly– in short, teach themselves about political thought in the liberal arts tradition.
