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 4 Politics/International Relations courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses.
** as numbers are limited, visiting students should contact the Visiting Student Office directly for admission to this course ** |
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 (10%), coursework (35%) and examination (55%) |
Special Arrangements
This course has a quota. Preference will be given to Politics and IR students. |
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 Lizzie Robertson
Tel: (0131 6)51 5852
Email: lizzie.robertson@ed.ac.uk |
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