Conceptualizing the American Political Sphere 4219-SF054
The aim of this course is to provide student with the conceptual and theoretical tools to critically analyze American politics. Students will discuss historical as well as contemporary issues in order to achieve an advanced understanding of the forces and processes shaping American politics. The course will explore primary and secondary sources that illuminate American political developments. The course has three parts. In the Part 1. students will reflect on the origin and the founding of the US; in Part 2., students will explore the institutionalization of political power in the US; finally Part 3. explores the socio-political cleavages in contemporary US. After completing this class, students will have broad knowledge of American political developments and will be familiar with concepts and theories used to analyze, understand, and explain US politics.
Type of course
Mode
Remote learning
Blended learning
Prerequisites (description)
Learning outcomes
KNOWLEDGE
- advanced knowledge of selected terminology and theories used to describe political developments in the US
- analyses political developments in the US using selected terminology and selected theories
- advanced knowledge of selected American political developments
SKILLS:
- ability to discuss and understand texts regarding American developments
- ability to summarize in writing of written arguments
- ability to prepare various written assignments on American politics, using various sources and formulating a thesis
SOCIAL COMPETENCES:
- ability to discuss and argue in class, to cooperate with other students during in-class assignments
- Openness to various phenomena and ideas; recognition of and respect for cultural difference
Assessment criteria
Analysis of texts - in groups and individually
Attendance and class participation
Final essay
Bibliography
Obligatory and suggested readings are available in the for a given didactic cycle.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: