JPB367 US Government and Politics

Topic outline

• Select topic Course Description

  Course Description

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  The course aims to provide students with basic knowledge and understanding  of the US government. It focuses on the organization, functions and politics of the US political system, especially on its federal level. The course examines the division of powers and the system of checks and balances. The major topics include the analysis of the Constitution, all three major branches of government, the presidency, elections, and political parties as well as policy-making. 

  Through the participation in the course, the students should be able to understand constitutional foundations of all three branches of government, their structure, mechanism of functioning, and mutual overlaps as well as election process and political participation.

  • Select activity Oznámení

    

    Oznámení Forum
  • Select activity Study Support

    

    Study Support File

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  • Select activity Digests of News

    

    Digests of News Assignment

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  • Select activity Articles URL

    

    Articles URL Folder

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• Select topic Week 1 (dd.mm.yyyy): Introduction

  Week 1 (dd.mm.yyyy): Introduction

  Orientation in the course. Discussion of the syllabus and requirements. American political culture and values.

  • Select activity Syllabus

    

    Syllabus File

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• Select topic Week 2 (dd.mm.yyyy): Constitutional Background

  Week 2 (dd.mm.yyyy): Constitutional Background

  Independence and the Articles of Confederation. Creating the Constitution. The Bill of Rights. Federalism.
• Select topic Week 3 (dd.mm.yyyy): The Presidency

  Week 3 (dd.mm.yyyy): The Presidency

  The leadership issue. Presidential character. Presidential formal and informal powers.
• Select topic Week 4 (dd.mm.yyyy): The Legislative Branch

  Week 4 (dd.mm.yyyy): The Legislative Branch

  Bicameral structure. The powers of the House of Representatives and Senate. How a bill becomes a law.
• Select topic Week 5 (dd.mm.yyyy): The Executive Branch

  Week 5 (dd.mm.yyyy): The Executive Branch

  The structure and development of the bureaucracy. Its organization, functioning, and staffing.
• Select topic Week 6 (dd.mm.yyyy): The Judicial Branch

  Week 6 (dd.mm.yyyy): The Judicial Branch

  The creation of the federal courts. The structure of the federal courts. The Supreme Court. Nominating the judges. 
• Select topic Week 7 (dd.mm.yyyy): Presidential Election

  Week 7 (dd.mm.yyyy): Presidential Election

  Selection and succession of the presidents. Nomination process. Electoral College politics. 
• Select topic Week 8 (dd.mm.yyyy): Congressional Election

  Week 8 (dd.mm.yyyy): Congressional Election

  Midterm election.  Election campaign, its strategies and tactics. 
• Select topic Week 9 (dd.mm.yyyy): Who can vote?

  Week 9 (dd.mm.yyyy): Who can vote?

  The structure of the U.S. electorate. Political behavior of the U.S. electorate. 
• Select topic Week 10 (dd.mm.yyyy): Political Parties and Interest Groups

  Week 10 (dd.mm.yyyy): Political Parties and Interest Groups

  Two-party system, party platform, national convention. Party dealignment and realignment. Interest groups and lobbying. Political action committees.
• Select topic Week 11 (dd.mm.yyyy): Policy-Making

  Week 11 (dd.mm.yyyy): Policy-Making

  Policy implementation. Agenda-setting. Social welfare policy and entitlement programs.
• Select topic Week 12 (dd.mm.yyyy): Conclusion of the Course

  Week 12 (dd.mm.yyyy): Conclusion of the Course