POLb1113 American Political Institutions

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2020
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Charles David Hadley (lecturer), doc. Mgr. Michal Pink, Ph.D. (deputy)
Mgr. Lenka Hrbková, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
doc. Mgr. Michal Pink, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Michal Pink, Ph.D.
Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Lucie Pospíšilová
Supplier department: Division of Politology – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Mon 12. 10. 18:00–19:40 bude_upresneno, Tue 13. 10. 18:00–19:40 bude_upresneno, Wed 14. 10. 18:00–19:40 bude_upresneno, Thu 15. 10. 18:00–19:40 bude_upresneno, Fri 16. 10. 18:00–19:40 bude_upresneno, Mon 19. 10. 18:00–19:40 bude_upresneno, Tue 20. 10. 18:00–19:40 bude_upresneno, Wed 21. 10. 18:00–19:40 bude_upresneno, Thu 22. 10. 18:00–19:40 bude_upresneno, Fri 23. 10. 18:00–19:40 bude_upresneno
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! POL339 American Institutions && !NOW( POL339 American Institutions )
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 15 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/15, only registered: 0/15
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 29 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The participant explore the basic functions of political system in USA. The main topic of the seminar is presidential election 2016.
Learning outcomes
Student will be able: - to understand the main characterictics of American political system; - to understand the system of division of powers; - to analyze main political actors of American politics.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction: Course overview and “The American Political System” 2. Selecting the President: A Process of Reform in Continued Flux - “The Public Funding of Presidential Elections” - “National Democratic Party/Convention Delegate Selection Reforms” - “Selecting US Presidents by Accident of Design” 3. The President: Role, Limitations, and Power - “The President: Public Expectations” - “The President in Office” 4. The Congress: An Organized Counterbalance to the President? - “The Organization and Operation of U.S. Congress” 5. The U.S. Court System: Establishment, Organization, and Operation - “Establishment of U.S. Supreme Court Power; Its Organization and Operation in the Court System” 6. The U.S. Supreme Court in American Society - “The Responsibility and Powers of the Courts” 7. Political Parties, Presidential Elections, and the Future of American Politics - “Race, Religion, and American Political Parties” - “The Future of American Politics: A Continued Revolt of the Moderates?” 8. Review 9. FINAL EXAMINATION 10. Individual meetings with students over course grades
Literature
    required literature
  • Federal Election Commission, ““Citizens Guide”(Updated January 2015; 9 pgs.)
  • R. Eric Petersen, “Roles and Duties of a Member of Congress.” (Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress, November 4, 2010). (10 pp.)
  • MCKAY, David. American politics and society. 8th ed. Chichester, West Sussex, U.K.: John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 2013, xxiii, 496 p.
  • The Constitution: Amendments 11-27” The U.S. National Archives & Records Administration http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_amendments_11- 27.html
  • Federal Election Commission, “Public Funding of Presidential Elections” (Updated February 2016; 11 pgs.)
  • The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription,” The U.S. National Archives & Records Administration http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html
  • PHILLIPS, Kevin and Sean WILENTZ. The emerging republican majority. The James Madision Library i. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2015, xxv, 570. ISBN 9780691163246. info
  • DRUCKMAN, James N. and Lawrence R. JACOBS. Who governs? : presidents, public opinion, and manipulation. London: University of Chicago Press, 2015, xix, 183. ISBN 9780226234410. info
Teaching methods
Lectures, seminars
Assessment methods
final test
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2019, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2020, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2020/POLb1113