The course begins with the origins of American government in the late 18th century, the political ideas of America’s Founding Fathers, and the nature of American constitutionalism in order to provide a necessary foundation for the study of government institutions  and political processes in contemporary America. This will include the organisation of Congress, the nature of the presidency, the role of the Supreme Court, political parties, the electoral system, voting behaviour, campaign financing, the role of the media, interest group politics, the character of American federalism and politics at State and local government level. 

Having successfully completed this course, students should have

• acquired a good working knowledge of the major institutions of American government,
• become familiar with the major contributions to the scholarly literature on American government,
• developed their research. analytical and writing skills as applied to the study of American government and politics and,
• gained an appreciation of the principal arguments and debates about the current state of American government.

Assessment will be based on marks achieved for two essays (one in each semester) and on one written examination at the end of the year-long course. One component (either essays or the exam) will be weighted at 60% and the other component at 40% of the total assessment with the higher weighting being accorded to the component with the higher mark. Students will have an indication of their first semester performance by means of the first essay mark.

This is a full-year course spread over two semesters consisting of two lectures and one tutorial each week. Attendance at tutorials is a requirement for this course. Lectures will be recorded.

Prerequisites: Two first-year courses in Political Science or with the permission of the lecturer

 *Students who wish to take this course must enrol in POLS2013A (First Semester) and POLS2013B (Second Semester). The course continues over a full year and is not divisible into semesters. There is no formal assessment at the end of the first semester and the final grade is awarded on completion of POLS2013B at the end of the second semester. 

*N.B. Students who wish to take this course must enrol in both POLS2013A (First Semester) and POLS2013B (Second Semester). This course continues over a full-year and is not divisible into semesters. There is no formal assessment at the end of the first semester. You will not receive a final grade until you have completed Part B at the end of the year. If you drop Part A in first semester, you must also drop Part B.

McKay, D. American Politics and Society. (Seventh Edition) Wiley-Blackwell, 2009.