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Last update: Mgr. Jana Sehnálková, Ph.D. (12.09.2021)
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Last update: Mgr. Jana Sehnálková, Ph.D. (12.09.2021)
Upon successful completion of this course the student will be familiar with the structure of the U.S. government and the basic mechanisms of its operation. They will also identify the key players and institutions and their mutual overlap. |
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Last update: Mgr. Jana Sehnálková, Ph.D. (12.09.2021)
Ø Declaration of Independence
Ø The U.S. Constitution
Ø 1789 Judicial Act
Ø James Q. Wilson, John J. DiIulio, American Government: Institutions and Policies (Houghton Mifflin Company, 2005).
Ø Lowi, Theodore, Ginsberg, Benjamin & Shepsle, Kenneth. American Government: Power and Purpose, New York: W.W. Norton & Co.,
Ø Selected articles on various aspects of U.S. government (will be provided throughout the class) |
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Last update: Mgr. Jana Sehnálková, Ph.D. (12.09.2021)
Since this class is partly a lecture and partly a seminar, lecture will provide main guidance by means of two-way communication; The participants are expected to read assigned material, raise questions about the claims in the article, and discuss their findings in the class. |
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Last update: Mgr. Jana Sehnálková, Ph.D. (12.09.2021)
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Last update: Mgr. Jana Sehnálková, Ph.D. (12.09.2021)
Outline of topics that will be covered in the class:
Historical background: Evolution of the Constitution and its basic principles: federalism, checks and balances, division of powers, legitimacy of the government, political culture, flexible/inflexible constitution?, civil liberties, constitutionalism
3. Outline of the Structure of the Government – Key players
- basic structure, who does what, basic requirements for elections into the office. - explain structure of departments, White House Office
4. Elections
5. The Executive Branch
6. Midterm
7. Congress I
8. Congress II: How a Bill Becomes a Law - process in the HoR and S
9. The Judiciary (27.11.) • the structure of the judicial system • the powers and role of the Supreme Court • the framework within which the Supreme Court operates • getting a case in front of the Supreme Court • jury trials • famous cases • where to search for cases.
10. Role of the Parties (4.12.)
11. Frames of Reference
12. Foreign policy and defense policy making |
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Last update: SEHNALKO (18.09.2011)
Sufficient knowledge of English language, interest in the subject matter. |