MVZb2024 American Political System

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2024
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Zuzana Ringlerová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Zuzana Ringlerová, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Wed 14:00–15:40 P24a
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 40 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 27/40, only registered: 0/40
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 33 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
This course§s goal is to introduce students to the American political system. The goal is to make students informed observers of politics in America. By the end of this course, students should be able to do the following:
• Understand some important concepts commonly used in political science (such as separation of powers, interest groups etc.)
• Identify major actors in U.S. political system, describe their important characteristics, and understand how they interact.
• Describe how the aspects of U.S. political system relate to the United States' role in world politics.
• Critically analyze what they hear or read about politics.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, students should be able to do the following:
• Understand some important concepts commonly used in political science (such as separation of powers, interest groups etc.)
• Identify major actors in U.S. political system, describe their important characteristics, and understand how they interact.
• Describe how the aspects of U.S. political system relate to the United States' role in world politics.
• Critically analyze what they hear or read about politics.
Syllabus
  • Course outline:
  • Week 1: Introduction
  • Week 2: The basic outlines of the political system: The Constitution and federalism
  • Week 3: Civil liberties and civil rights.
  • Week 4: Congress
  • Week 5: Congress continued
  • Week 6: The President and the bureaucracy
  • Week 7: The Courts
  • Week 8: Midterm exam
  • Week 9: Public opinion
  • Week 10: Political Parties
  • Week 11: Interest groups
  • Week 12: Political participation
  • Week 13: Foreign policy
  • Examination period: Final exam
Literature
  • • Barbour Christine and Gerald C. Wright: Keeping the Republic – Essentials: Power and Citizenship in American Politics, 6th edition, CQ Press, 2014. (Hereafter referred to as textbook) • Online readings and reference material
Teaching methods
In this course, you will be learning new knowledge and skills in multiple ways:
• you will learn factual knowledge and the main theoretical points in lectures
• you will practice critical reading skills and acquire factual knowledge during your preparation for class (through reading of the assigned material)
• you will practice discussion skills and critical analysis skills in class discussions
• you will learn additional empirical knowledge as well practice critical writing skills in your essays
Assessment methods
Course requirements and grading:
Participation (15%)
Quizzes (10%)
Short essays (20%)
Midterm exam (20%)
Final exam (35%)
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught only once.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2024/MVZb2024