Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Institutions and Foreign Policy of the United States of America
Course Code
PZK_076
Branch of Science
-
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Political Science
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Edijs Bošs
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
The objective of the course is to provide an overview of the institutional landscape of U.S. politics and to introduce students to the main ideas and actors that have defined the U.S. role in the international system.
Preliminary Knowledge
Fluent English.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.We will review the U.S.’s federal structure, the functioning of the main political parties and interest groups, the constitutional prerogatives of the Congress and the Presidency. We will also outline U.S. regional roles in Europe, the Middle East and East Asia.
Skills
1.Students will develop analytical tools necessary for the analysis of U.S. foreign policy.
Competences
1.Develop a more acute perception of developments in foreign policy and international relations.
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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|---|---|---|
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1.
Individual work |
-
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-
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Final paper, review papers.
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Examination
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Title
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% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
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1.
Examination |
-
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-
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|
At the end of the course students will receive a mark on a 10-mark scale. The final result will be made up of five components:
(1) informed participation in the four seminars (4x5%=20%);
(2) four review papers (4x5%=20%);
(3) final paper (15%);
(2) ten pop-quizzes (10x1%=10%);
(5) exam (35%).
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||
Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Introduction to the course and concepts. The political setup of the United States. Democracy and Federalism. Dominant political ideologies.
|
-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
The main American political parties and their ideological characterisation. Functions and prerogatives of the U.S. Congress.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Public opinion and political socialization. Socio-economic determinants of political choices. Interest groups and their influence on American politics.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Presidential power and leadership in American domestic policy and foreign affairs. Management of the bureaucracy; foreign policy role of the National Security Council.
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-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
The Department of State, the Department of Defense, the Intelligence Community, the Congress and their respective roles in the making of American foreign policy.
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-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Inter-agency process in U.S. foreign-policy making.
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-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Donald Trump: the persona and his foreign policy doctrine.
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-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
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Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Donald Trump: the persona and his foreign policy doctrine.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
The United States as a global power: policies and role in Europe.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
The United States as a global power: policies and role in the Middle East.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
The United States as a global power: policies and role in East Asia.
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-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Overview of American regional roles in Europe, the Middle East and East Asia.
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Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
24 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Mack C. Shelley, Barbara A. Bardes, Steffen W. Schmidt, American Government and Politics Today: The Essentials 2013-2014 Edition (Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2014)
2.
Jarel A. Rosati, James M. Scott, The Politics of the United States Foreign Policy (Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2011).