American Politics, Economy, and Society

1Grade

2.00Credits

semester not specified

Endoh Toake

英語　English

Kioicho Campus

1. To understand the organization and functioning of American political systems at the local, state, and national levels by exams, class discussions on the assigned readings, and short essays.

2. To critically analyze particular political issues and events by conduct-ing research, group discussion, and oral presentations.

3. To clearly and logically communicate ideas and opinions about key political issues by class discussion, oral presentations, and final paper.

4. To research a topic related to American politics by writing a research proposal, giving an oral presentation, and writing a term paper.  The research project involves data and information collection, critical reading and analysis of research materials, defining a thesis statement, and supporting the thesis with reasoning and evidence.

In this course, students will learn the historical development of the political sys-tem of the United States, the constitution and its philosophy, state structures, political cultures, state-society relationships, and foreign affairs. The course also addresses contemporary issues such as inequality and social divisions along with globalization and the rise and legacy of Trump-era populism. Students should enhance their knowledge on American political, economic, and social issues, and hone their critical analysis skill by means of lectures, class discussion, presentations, and individual research. Each student will conduct a research pro-ject based on his/her topic, which involve planning, data-collection and analy-sis, and hypothesis testing.

Instructional Methods
The course combines lectures, discussions, and student presentations.  While the instructor highlights major issues, questions, and relevant theories on the histori-cal development of the American political system as well as on current issues, students must take an initiative in exploring the nature of the problems, contest-ing different perspectives, and elaborating a possible solution(s).  Therefore, stu-dents’ active participation in class discussion is strongly encouraged.  Documen-tary films will be used to supplement written texts.  A field trip or special lecture may be included.

Introduction

Read the syllabus

Review the class

Nation-building and philosophy

Reading: Ginsberg, Chps. 1, 2

Review the class

Constitution and Political Institutions

Reading: Ginsberg, Chps. 1, 2

Review the class

Federalism (Case: Sanctuary City)

Reading: Ginsberg, Ch. 3

Review the class

Orientation for research project

List up your research topic.

Plan your research project.

(1) Interest Groups

(2) Political parties and election

(1) Interest Groups
Reading: Ginsberg, Ch. 8

(2) Political parties and election
Reading: Ginsberg, Ch. 7, 8

Review the class

Presidency

Reading: Ginsberg, Ch. 13

Review the class

Civil liberty

Reading: Ginsberg, Ch. 4

Wehle, “Yes, a National Quarantine Is Constitutional … and Necessary,” Politico (2020/5/15)

Review the class

Civil rights: Pluralism and Minorities (Case: BLM movement and identity politics)

Reading: Ginsberg, Ch.5

Review the class

Foreign Policy

Reading: Ginsberg, Ch.18

Review the class

Student Presentation

Prepare for your presentation.

Complete the final paper.

Student Presentation

Prepare for your presentation.

Complete the final paper.

Tentative Conclusion and paper submission

Complete the final paper.

Research Paper         50%
Oral presentation      30%
Class engagement     20%

Feedback will be provided in writing or in person.

We the People

Benjamin Ginsberg

Norton

‎ 978-0393538885

2021, 13th edition

TBA

4406

S1
M 15:30-17:00
T 15:30-17:00
S2
T 15:30-17:00
R 15:30-17:00
F1
M 15:30-17:00
T 17:30-19:00
F2
T 17:30-19:00
F 15:30-17:00