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Election in the U.S.A. - JPM118

Title:	Výběrový seminář: Volby v USA
Guaranteed by:	Department of Political Science (23-KP)
Faculty:	Faculty of Social Sciences
Actual:	from 2016 to 2018
Semester:	winter
E-Credits:	5
Examination process:	winter s.:
Hours per week, examination:	winter s.:1/1, C [HT]
Capacity:	16 / 16 (16)
Min. number of students:	unlimited
4EU+:	no
Virtual mobility / capacity:	no
State of the course:	taught
Language:	Czech
Teaching methods:	full-time
Teaching methods:	full-time
Note:	course can be enrolled in outside the study plan enabled for web enrollment priority enrollment if the course is part of the study plan

Guarantor:	PhDr. Věra Kotábová
Teacher(s):	PhDr. Věra Kotábová

Examination dates Schedule Noticeboard

Annotation -

Last update: PhDr. Věra Kotábová (17.09.2022)

The course is focused on the analysis of the U.S. presidential and congressional election. Following the general specification of the election process in the U.S,, it sums up the historical development of the candidates´selection and gives the chacteristics of political environment. Nomination process, campaign rules, impact of media, and attitudes of the public including the public opinion polls phenomenon will be examined based on presentations of seminar papers. Attention will be paid to controversial aspects of the selection process. Language of instruction is Czech.

Aim of the course -

Last update: PhDr. Věra Kotábová (10.08.2021)

The aim of the course is to reach undestanding the system and specifics of the U.S. election, and to decipher both the nomination process and the election campaign, including the making of geographical coalitions and impact of media..

Literature -

Last update: PhDr. Věra Kotábová (10.08.2021)

Sources:

Ústava Spojených států.

Web adresses:

www.fec.gov; www.electoral-vote.com; www.archives.gov/federal_register/electoral_college; www.livingroomcandidates.org;

candidates´and political parties´web addresses

News agencies and daily press:

Associated Press, Reuters, New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, Fox News aj., dále pak internetové servery s politickým obsahem, např. www.realclearpolitcs.com; www.politico.com

Reccommended literature:

Barber, James David, The Presidential Character. Predicting Performance in the White House. Prentice Hall, 1992.

Green, Donald P. How to Increase the Voter Turnout. Brookings Institution Press, 2008.

Jacobson, Gary C. Politics of Congressional Election. Pearson, 2012.

Kamarck, Elaine C. Primary Politics. Everything you need to know about how America nominates its presidential candidates. Brookings Institution Press 2016

Wagner, Michael W.M, Flanigan William H. Political Behavior of the American Electorate. CQ Press 2014.

Wayne, Stephen J. (2019) The Road to the White House 2020. Cengage Learning

Dle možností použijte nejnovější vydání publikací. Bližší informace o literatuře bude poskytnuta na první hodině.

Periodical:
Presidential Studies Quarterly, Center for the Study of the Presidency, New York.

If possible, please use the most recent edition of the publications.

Requirements to the exam -

Last update: PhDr. Věra Kotábová (10.08.2021)

Analyses of the relevant features of the actual developments, news digests (2 pieces) on a weekly basis, and a seminar project presented personally in the class will be required. Seminar work is due January 31st. Regular attendance is a must.

Syllabus -

Last update: PhDr. Věra Kotábová (29.08.2021)

I. Introduction. Specifics of the electoral process in the USA.
II. Historical overview of the presidential selection. The creation of the electoral college and the development of the nomination systems.
III. The political environment. Turnout and influences on the turnout. The partisan basis of the process. Voting patterns. Social basis of election politics.
IV. Midterm election and their functions.
V. Nomination process. Delegate selection. Democratic Rules. Republican Rules. Basic strategic Guidelines.
VI. The convention. Rules and platforms. Presidential and vice presidential selection. Media politics. Traditional and nontraditional coverage. Television debates. Campaign advertising.
VII. The campaign. Organization, strategy a tactics.
VIII. Media coverage. TV debates. Campaign and the new media (social network). Campaign Advertising.
IX. Public opinion polls. Predicting presidential elections. Interpreting the election. Models of voting behavior.
X. Campaign finance. The costs of campaigning and the sources of support.Finance legislation.
XI. Candidates´personalities.Leadership issue. Psychological aspects.
XII. Conclusion. Reforming the electoral system?( Electoral College elimination. Party rules. Financing. Media coverage.)

The topics will be discuussed following the presented seminar papers.

Entry requirements -

Last update: PhDr. Věra Kotábová (29.08.2021)

The course requires the knowledge of election terminology and general factual orientation in the U.S. political development and political system. Working knowledge of English is a must.