GV163-4-AU-CO:
Introduction to United States
PLEASE NOTE: This module is inactive. Visit the Module Directory to view modules and variants offered during the current academic year.
2024/25
Government
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 4
Inactive
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 13 December 2024
15
16 February 2022
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
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This course is designed to explore the structures and dynamics of American government, providing a broad introduction into the history, ideas, and institutions that shape contemporary politics in the United States.
We will focus on three major areas: foundations of Democracy and the American system, American political institutions, and the role informal political institutions and actors in shaping American politics (e.g., interests groups and parties, political participation). Our analysis will draw on documents from America's formative period and on insights from modern political science, law experts, and journalists, allowing us to examine important political phenomena from a variety of perspectives. Throughout the course we will visit the often conflicting values of order, liberty, and equality.
Ultimately, the goal of this course is to help each member of the class arrive at a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of the forces that shape American government and politics. Upon completion of this course that students will not only have a solid understanding of the institutions and processes of American government and politics, but an appreciation of the important role that we, the people, play in maintaining modern democratic institutions. Along these lines, the course is designed with the follow aims in mind:
a) To provide students with a basic introduction to the American political system and explain how the American citizens interacting with institutional rules and norms to create policy outcomes;
b) To provide students with an understanding of how the American political system has evolved over time;
c) To encourage students to absorb information about U.S. Politics through an informed and analytic lens.
By the end of the module, students will:
1. have a basic knowledge of the structure of the political system and its institutions;
2. have knowledge of how those institutions interact and work together;
3. understand the link between society and government;
4. have some understanding of how public-policy outcomes are reached.
Compulsory for 1st Yr BA American (United States) Studies.
This module will be taught over 2 hours per week
- Janda, Kenneth; Berry, Jeffrey M.; Goldman, Jerry; Schildkraut, Deborah J.; Manna, Paul. (2018) The challenge of democracy: American government in global politics, Boston, Massachusetts: Cengage Learning.
- Lowi, Theodore J.; Ginsberg, Benjamin; Shepsle, Kenneth A.; Ansolabehere, Stephen. (2019) American government: power and purpose, New York: W.W. Norton.
- Breyer, Stephen. (2002) 'Our Democratic Constitution', in New York University Law Review. vol. 77 (2) , pp.245-272
- Antonin Scalia. (March 14, 2005) Constitutional Interpretation the Old Fashioned Way.
- Levinson, Sanford. (2006) 'The Ratification Referendum: Sending the Constitution to a New Convention for Repair', in Our undemocratic constitution: where the constitution goes wrong (and how we the people can correct it), Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- (November 3rd, 2018) 'Are the Democrats a serious threat to Donald Trump, or not?', in The Economist, Chesterfield, VA.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course. The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students. Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof Lawrence Ezrow, email: ezrow@essex.ac.uk.
Prof. Lawrence Ezrow
Module Supervisor: Prof. Lawrence Ezrow - Ezrow@essex.ac.uk / Module Administrator: Nicola Rowley, govquery@essex.ac.uk
Yes
Yes
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
Of 59 hours, 54 (91.5%) hours available to students:
5 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
Government
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