POL203Y1Y L5101
U.S. Government and Politics
Themes
Is the United States an exceptional nation—or merely unusual? What can account for the distinctive conflicts over race, culture, and the role of the state that constitute American politics?. In this course, we will try to answer these and other questions by analyzing the historical development of American political institutions, American political culture and American public policy. In the fall, we will focus on the constitutional foundations of American government, and we will investigate the roles of Congress, the federal courts and the Presidency in national policy-making. In the spring, we will study public opinion, elections, the activities of interest groups, the role of political parties, and various issues related to domestic and foreign policy.
Texts
TBA
Format and Requirements
One two-hour lecture per week; one tutorial session every week. Course requirements also include a research paper, end of term test, and a final exam.
Prerequisites
1.0 POL credit or 4.0 full course equivalents