Department of Government & International Studies
POLS 2180
Government and Politics of the United States
Prerequisites:
POLS 1510 Foundations of Political Science
Duration/Frequency:
3 hours/week
Language of Tuition:
English
Individual Study Time Required:
42 hours (3 X 14 weeks)
Credits/Units:
3
Number of Contact Hours:
42 (3 X 14 weeks)
Total Assumed Work Load:
6 hours/week
Course Description/Aims and Objectives:
This course aims to introduce students to American politics and government by
examining the foundational principles and ideas, institutional structures, political
processes, and policy-making patterns of the American political system.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) / Competencies:
Knowledge
By the end of this course, students will be able to
1. Describe the origins and development of the American political system;
2. Explain the major principles of the US constitution;
3. Identify the three branches of the US government, their respective
functions, and the features of the federal system; and
4. Recognize the political process and policy-making in the U.S.
Skills
By the end of this course, students will be able to
5. Summarize the founding process of the US national government;
6. Illustrate key characteristics of the American political system, such as
checks and balances, limited government, federalism, judicial review,
political pluralism, etc;
7. Critically assess American democracy; and
8. Contrast the form of the US government with that of other western
democracies.
Attitudes
By the end of this course, students will be able to
9. Interpret American democracy as an evolutionary process;
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10. Appraise social and historical impacts on the formation of the US national
government;
11. Reflect on the pros and cons of the American political system; and
12. Question and reflect on the political philosophy on which the US
government was founded.
Course Content:
1. Foundations, Ideas, and Principles
1) The Founding
2) The Making of the Constitution
3) Constitutional Principles (separation of powers and checks and
balances, federalism, limited government, and judicial review)
2) Political Institutions
1) Congress
2) Presidency
3) Judiciary
4) Bureaucracy
3) Political Process
1) Political Parties and Interest Groups
2) Public Opinion
3) Participation, Voting, and Election
4) Public Policy
1) Economic and Regulatory Policy
2) Social Policy
3) Foreign Policy
Teaching & Learning Activities (TLAs):
TLAs
1. Lectures
The lectures will examine the foundational principles and ideas,
institutional structures, political processes, and policy-making
2
ILOs
addressed
1 to 12
patterns of the American political system.
2. Tutorial discussions/ Presentations
Tutorial sessions will be held to discuss the pros and cons of the
American political system.
5 to 12
Assessment Methods (AMs):
AMs
Weighting
Active participation
in tutorial
discussions
throughout the
semester
30%
ILOs
addressed
1 to 12
Term paper
20%
1 to 11
Final examination
50%
1 to 11
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Description of
Assessment Tasks
Students must attend all
tutorials and try to be
punctual. All students are
expected to read the
relevant readings before the
tutorials. They should ask
questions, give comments
to the presenters, and
participate in the discussion.
Students have to submit a
term paper to identify and
summarize main aspects of
the political ideologies
involved in the American
politics.
The questions will be essaytype questions testing
students’ understanding of
the foundational principles
and ideas, institutional
structures, political
processes, and policymaking patterns of the
American political system.
References:
L. Berman & B. Murphy, Approaching Democracy.
Katznelson, Ira., The Politics of Power: a critical introduction to American
Government. Belmont, Calif: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning. 2002.
Bishop, Donald M, ed., Living Documents of American History. Hong Kong: 今日世
界出版社. 1987.
Dupuis, Martin. and Boeckelman, Keith., Barack Obama, the New Face of
American Politics, Westport, Conn: Praeger. 2008.
*More readings will be assigned during the class
Syllabus prepared by: Prof. Feng CHEN / September 2010
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