American Government and Politics
Undergraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 10
- Teaching semesters Autumn
- Course code
- SAMPOL270
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Teaching language
- English
- Resources
- Schedule
Course description
Objectives and Content
The course offers a theoretical and empirical introduction to the US political system with topics emphasizing the constitution, separation of powers, federalism, cleavages, party system, political participation, and economic policy. Students will acquire basic knowledge on and understanding of the organization and operations of the political system of the United States.
Learning Outcomes
A candidate who has completed his or her qualification should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:
Knowledge
- Define and explain important aspects of the constitution, federalism, political institutions, political behavior, interest groups, party systems, and public policies.
Skills
- Discuss the content of the Constitution.
- Demonstrate how the Constitution facilitates and constrains political behavior, how the constitution governs the interaction between the states and the federal government, and between the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary.
General competence
- Critically analyze and evaluate the complexity of the political world in United States, explain patterns of political behavior, and discuss political outcomes.
- Engage in a discussion of how policies are the result of individual goals, institutional rules and collective action.
- Reconstruct how decisions and actions in the past influence political actors and outcomes today.
Semester of Instruction
Autumn - irregular (not taught every year)
Required Previous Knowledge
None
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
Total credit reduction with SAMPOL112 and SAMPOL217
Access to the Course
The course is open for students at the University of Bergen who fulfill the general admission requirements.
Teaching and learning methods
Hours per week: 2
Number of weeks: minimum 10
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
None
Forms of Assessment
Take home exam, 10 hours
The exam will be given in the language in which the course is taught.
The exam can be submitted in English, Norwegian, Swedish or Danish.
Grading Scale
Grading A-F
Assessment Semester
Assessment in teaching semester.
A retake exam is arranged for students with valid absence according to UiBs study regulations ยง 5-5.If there is a retake exam for students valid absence, students with the following results/absences can register for the exam:
- Interruption during the exam
- Fail/failed
Students can register themselves in Studentweb after January 15th.
Course Evaluation
All courses are evaluated according to UiB's system for quality assurance of education.