POLb1113 American Political Institutions

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Taught in person.
Teacher(s)
Charles David Hadley (lecturer), doc. Mgr. Michal Pink, Ph.D. (deputy)
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
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
  • MCKAY, David. American politics and society. 8th ed. Chichester, West Sussex, U.K.: John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 2013, xxiii, 496 p.
  • DRUCKMAN, James N. and Lawrence R. JACOBS. Who governs? : presidents, public opinion, and manipulation. London: University of Chicago Press. xix, 183. ISBN 9780226234410. 2015. info
    recommended literature
  • The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription,” The U.S. National Archives & Records Administration http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html
  • R. Eric Petersen, “Roles and Duties of a Member of Congress.” (Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress, November 4, 2010). (10 pp.)
  • The Constitution: Amendments 11-27” The U.S. National Archives & Records Administration http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_amendments_11- 27.html
  • PHILLIPS, Kevin and Sean WILENTZ. The emerging republican majority. The James Madision Library i. Princeton: Princeton University Press. xxv, 570. ISBN 9780691163246. 2015. info
Teaching methods
Lectures, seminars
Assessment methods
final test
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: in blocks.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2019, Autumn 2020, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2024, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2024/POLb1113