This course will analyze critical tensions that arise where the United States government's execution of its responsibility to ensure national defense creates consequences for the exercise of citizens' constitutionally-protected civil liberties.   Moreover, we will explore the legal origins and sufficiency of domestic and foreign policy formulations designed to promote national security.  We will also examine national decision-making processes around security issues, to include the role of each branch in waging war and responding to domestic and international threats of terrorism, in light of separation of powers concerns.  We will also question whether recent executive policies and legislation related to intelligence gathering, detaining immigrants and enemy combatants, and creating military commissions, raises concerns about respect for history, sovereignty, customary international practices, and the rule of law more generally .