AMERICAN POLITICS

ACL375

Course Code: ACL375
Semester: -
Theory+Practice: 3 + 0
ECTS: 4

Course Type

Elective Course

Course Level

Bachelor's Degree

Year of Study

Semester

ECTS

Name of Lecturer(s)

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, the students;

Explain the foundations and purposes of the American political system.
Distinguish the roles played by institutions, groups, and individuals in influencing government policies and actions.
Develop critical thinking skills through class discussions and written assignments.

Mode of Delivery

Face to face

Prerequisites

Recommended Optional Programme Components

Course Description

This course aims to introduce students to the American political system and covers topics such as the Constitution, American political culture, civil rights, the presidency, political parties, elections, public opinion, and interest groups.

Course Contents

WEEK	TOPICS
1^st Week	Course introduction - The importance of studying American politics - Basic concepts to study politics / Basic concepts of American politics
2^nd Week	Historical overview: New World / Colonial politics and American Revolution - The US Constitution and the Bill of Rights
3^rd Week	Key principles of the US Constitution: Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, Federalism - Assignment #1 (documentary review)
4^th Week	Historical overview: Major themes in US History
5^th Week	No class - Assignment #2 (documentary review)
6^th Week	No class - Republic Day - Assignment #3 (media review about the presidential elections in November)
7^th Week	The US Executive Branch - Who is who? Presidential powers, elections and electoral college - Midterm I (the exam will be held on Friday, 1-4pm)
8^th Week	The US Legislative Branch - Structure of the Congress / How a bill becomes law? - Political parties and elections (campaigns, lobbies, voting behavior, voter turnout)
9^th Week	The US Judicial Branch / The role of the US Supreme Court - Landmark US Supreme Court decisions
10^th Week	Current debates in American politics (1): Topics include welfare, healthcare, reproductive rights, climate change, immigration, social justice, gun control, technology and privacy, education and curriculum content, economy and foreign policy (with brief historical background).
11^th Week	Midterm II
12^th Week	Current debates in American politics (2) - Assignment #4 (review of the two week's topics)
13^th Week	Current debates in American politics (3)
14^th Week	Current debates in American politics (4) - Assignment #5 (review of the two week's topics)
15^th Week	Christmas in American politics - Revision

Recommended or Required Reading

Kollman, Ken. The American Political System. Norton, 2017.

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

Lecture
Discussion
Questions/Answers

Assessment Methods and Criteria

	Quantity	Percentage (%)
Mid-term	2	50
Assignment	5	10
Total(%)		60
Contribution of In-term Studies to Overall Grade(%)		60
Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade(%)		40
Total(%)		100

ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload

Activities	Quantity	Duration (Hour)	Total Workload (Hour)
Midterm exam	1	2	2
Preparation for Quiz
Individual or group work	14	3	42
Preparation for Final exam	1	12	12
Course hours	14	3	42
Preparation for Midterm exam	1	10	10
Laboratory (including preparation)
Final exam	1	2	2
Homework	1	8	8
Presentation (including preperation)	1	8	8
Total Work Load			126
Total Work Load / 30 (h)			4.2
ECTS Credit of the Course			4

Language of Instruction

English

Work Placement(s)

Programme Qualifications / Learning Outcomes

	LO1	LO2	LO3
K1	X	X	X
K2		X	X
K3	X	X	X
K4	X	X	X
K5	X	X	X
K6	X	X	X
K7
K8			X
K9	X	X	X
K10			X
K11
K12	X	X	X
K13
K14	X	X	X

	LO1	LO2	LO3
K1	X	X	X
K2		X	X
K3	X	X	X
K4	X	X	X
K5	X	X	X
K6	X	X	X
K7
K8			X
K9	X	X	X
K10			X
K11
K12	X	X	X
K13
K14	X	X	X

	LO1	LO2	LO3
K1	X	X	X
K2		X	X
K3	X	X	X
K4	X	X	X
K5	X	X	X
K6	X	X	X
K7
K8			X
K9	X	X	X
K10			X
K11
K12	X	X	X
K13
K14	X	X	X

	LO1	LO2	LO3
K1	X	X	X
K2		X	X
K3	X	X	X
K4	X	X	X
K5	X	X	X
K6	X	X	X
K7
K8			X
K9	X	X	X
K10			X
K11
K12	X	X	X
K13
K14	X	X	X