MVV89K American Political Institutions

Faculty of Law
Autumn 2011
Extent and Intensity
1/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Charles D. Hadley (lecturer), doc. JUDr. Jiří Valdhans, Ph.D. (deputy)
Guaranteed by
doc. JUDr. Jiří Valdhans, Ph.D.
Department of International and European Law – Faculty of Law
Contact Person: Mgr. Eva Kolečková
Timetable
Mon 31. 10. 13:30–15:00 208, Tue 1. 11. 18:15–19:45 025, Wed 2. 11. 18:15–19:45 302, Thu 3. 11. 18:15–19:45 133, Fri 4. 11. 8:00–9:30 025, Mon 7. 11. 13:30–15:00 208, Tue 8. 11. 18:15–19:45 025, Wed 9. 11. 18:15–19:45 302, Fri 11. 11. 8:00–9:30 025
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 30 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/30, only registered: 0/30
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course introduces the students to the main features of the US political system and the important linkage between policy, politics, polity and law.
Syllabus
  • The course examines the structure of the American system of government and the political process – the Presidency, Congress, the Supreme Court, and the election/selection process associated with each one. It also examines the interaction of each with the other, e.g., the President with Congress, with the Supreme Court, with political parties. The Supreme Court plays a central role in the political system through its decisions, decisions directly affecting the powers of the President, powers of Congress, lower courts (including those of the states), and the selection of presidential candidates, the party rules governing that process, and the conduct of elections. Because the only national rules governing the political process set the day on which the national general election is held, the age/gender/race qualifications to participate in the process, and the public funding of the presidential selection process, the political or election process is a complicated one governed by the laws of the 50 individual states and rules of the national political parties. State laws not only structure the ballot, they also define access to the ballot, voter registration procedures, and the voting procedures themselves, all of which have been litigated before he Supreme Court. The course concludes with an explanation of the importance of the U.S. Supreme Court as a political institution.
Literature
  • Readings study materials will be available in the IS or online from public resources.
Teaching methods
lecture, class discussion
Assessment methods
The required reading is approximately 26 pages per class meeting were it spread out over the eight (8) classes, and it is indicated by the pound sign (#). The syllabus also includes supplemental (or suggested) reading and resources, e.g., The Constitution of the United States and its Amendments. Examination: There will be a comprehensive essay final examination which covers the lectures, required reading, and video “Super Chief: The Life and Legacy of [Chief Justice] Earl Warren.” There will be a possibility for and individual agreement (meeting) on Friday November 11(or max Monday November 14) for students who were not successfull with the first take of the exam.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught only once.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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