Undergraduate Course: US Government (PLIT10027)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Politics |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This course examines the primary actors, ideas, and institutions comprising United States (US) government. It begins with an introduction to core 'American' political values and beliefs shaping US government. It then analyses the role of the US Constitution and federalism before examining three major institutions of US government: the Congress, the Presidency and Judiciary, and debates surrounding their operation. Competing analytical approaches to understanding US government (including elite theory and pluralism and their modern variants) will be applied and critically evaluated throughout the course. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should have at least 3 Politics/International Relations courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses. |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course we would expect students to be able to:
- critically debate the existence and role of 'American' values and beliefs;
- exhibit a solid grasp of key institutions comprising US government: (including Congress, the Presidency, and Judiciary);
- evaluate alternative theoretical explanations for the operation of US government
- make their own assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the US system of government. |
Assessment Information
| Tutorial assessment (5%), coursework (35%) and examination (60%) |
Special Arrangements
Special Arrangements for Entry: A quota of 60* students, with preference given in the following order:
(1) Politics Single Honours 4th year;
(2) International Relations Single Honours 4th year;
(3) Politics Joint Honours 4th year;
(4) Politics Single Honours 3rd year;
(5) International Relations Single Honours 3rd year;
(6) Politics Joint Honours 3rd year;
(7) Other SSPS students;
(8) Non-SSPS students
Please note: because of the high numbers of students enrolled, this course will almost certainly not be able to admit students from outside the College of Humanities and Social Science.
*in 08/09
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Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Elizabeth Bomberg
Tel: (0131 6)50 4248
Email: e.bomberg@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Susan Orr
Tel: (0131 6)50 4253
Email: Susan.Orr@ed.ac.uk |
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