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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2018/2019

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Social and Political Science : Politics

Undergraduate Course: US Government (PLIT10027)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Social and Political Science CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis 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.
Course description Not entered
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements 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 **
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
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.
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
Special Arrangements This course has a quota. Preference will be given to Politics and IR students.
Additional Class Delivery Information Plus 1 hr tutorial per week
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserProf Elizabeth Bomberg
Tel: (0131 6)50 4248
Email: e.bomberg@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Lizzie Robertson
Tel: (0131 6)50 3079
Email: lizzie.robertson@ed.ac.uk
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