POLn4103 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)
! POL571 American Institutions && !NOW( POL571 American Institutions ) && (! POL339 American Institutions ) && (! POLb1113 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
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
  • The Declaration of Independence: A Transcription,” The U.S. National Archives & Records Administration http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html
  • MCKAY, David. American politics and society. 8th ed. Chichester, West Sussex, U.K.: John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 2013, xxiii, 496 p.
  • Statistical Summary of 18-Month Campaign Activity of the 2015-2016 Election Cycle” (10 pgs.) The
  • Federal Election Commission, “Public Funding of Presidential Elections” (Updated February 2016; 11 pgs.)
  • The Supreme Court of the United States: Organization and Operation” (18 pp.) http://www.supremecourtus.gov/about/about.html
  • Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, Political Polarization in the American Public: How Increasing Ideological Uniformity and Partisan Antipathy Affect Politics, Compromise and Everyday Life. It
  • Kevin J. Colman, Joseph E. Cantor, and Thomas H. Neale, “Presidential Elections in the United States: A Primer.” (Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, The Library of Congress, April 17, 2000), pp. 1-48.
  • Charles D. Hadley, “Unexpected Turbulence in a Reformed Presidential Selection System,” January 29, 2017 (21 pgs.)
  • 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, “Citizens Guide” (Updated January 2015; 9 pgs.)
  • The Bill of Rights [Amendments 1-10]: A Transcription,” The U.S. National Archives & Records Admin. http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights_transcript.html
  • The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription,” The U.S. National Archives & Records Administration http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html
  • Robert B. Dove, Parliamentarian, United States Senate, “From a Bill to a Law: Enactment of a Law” (Updated February 1997) (28 pp.)
  • Eric Petersen, “Roles and Duties of a Member of Congress.” (Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress, November 4, 2010). (10 pp.)
Teaching methods
Lectures, seminars
Assessment methods
final test
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
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/POLn4103