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2011/2012 BA-IVK_APS3 Government, politics and policy-making in the Americas
| English Title | |
| Government, politics and policy-making in the Americas |
Course Information | |
| Language | English |
| Point | 10 ECTS (300 SAT) |
| Type | Mandatory |
| Level | Bachelor |
| Duration | One Semester |
| Course Period |
Autumn
3rd semester |
| Time Table | Please see course schedule at e-Campus |
| Study Board |
Study Board for BA in International Business Communication |
| Course Coordinator | |
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| Main Category of the Course | |
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| Last updated on 29 maj 2012 | |
| Learning Objectives | |||||||||||||||||
| The course helps students develop their knowledge and understanding of the most important political institutions and processes that play a role in the political decision-making process. The students also develop an understanding of the historical context in which the political institutions have developed, as well as a basic knowledge of the most essential political topics and the central elements in the political culture of both the USA and the Latin American countries. It is furthermore the aim of the course to strengthen the analytical skills of the students and their ability to condense information from various sources. The students will be able critically to analyse and assess political issues and thus to offer Danish and other European companies knowledge about political factors in the western hemisphere. | |||||||||||||||||
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| Examination | |||||||||||||||||
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a) In the paper, the student must be able to: • Identify the main characteristics of the political systems in the USA and the Latin American countries • Analyse and assess the nature of the political systems in the western hemisphere • Apply relevant concepts, models and theories in the discussion of the political systems and structures b) At the exam, the student must be able to: • Identify the defining characteristics of the political systems in the USA and the Latin American countries • Apply the concepts, models and theories which are used in the study of political systems and structures • Assess the meaning of major political events and developments in the western hemisphere • Compare and contrast the political systems in the USA and the Latin American countries • Discuss and assess the political debate and the nature of the political systems in the western hemisphere in a precise and efficient way. | |||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites for Attending the Exam | |||||||||||||||||
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In order to take the written exam (b), the student must have passed the mandatory paper (a) a) mandatory paper - progress test Individual home assignment. Deadline: See semester plan. The paper is handed in, in two copies, to the teacher. Length: A maximum of 6 standard pages. No censorship. Pass/Fail. | |||||||||||||||||
| Course Content | |||||||||||||||||
The course presents the political institutions and the different forms of decision-making processes. The Presidential office of the United States, Congress and the federal courts, as well as the various state governments are presented. The role of the political parties and interest organizations is discussed, as is the design of the election processes. The political structures and government systems in Central and South America are also discussed. Institutions and processes are examined critically throughout the course. Topics such as the distribution of power in the different countries, the effect of ‘checks and balances’, the extent to which the political process is characterized by consensus or the lack of it, and the possibilities of political activity are examined and discussed. In this context, the general role of the USA in the creation of Latin America’s political character is also considered, as well as, in general, the role of the world’s only superpower. | |||||||||||||||||
| Teaching Methods | |||||||||||||||||
| Class teaching with presentations by the teacher(s) and group work. Emphasis is placed on active participation in classes. Written assignments are part of the course. | |||||||||||||||||
| Student Workload | |||||||||||||||||
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| Literature | |||||||||||||||||
Robert J. McKeever and Philip John Davies, Brief Introduction to US Politics (Longman). From 2011 Edward Ashbee and Colleen Harris, US Politics Today- 3rd edition (Manchester UP). Blake, Charles. Politics in Latin America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2008. Carlos Scartascini, Ernesto Stein and Mariano Tommasi, eds. How Democracy Works: Institutions, and Actors in Latin American Policymaking (Washington, D.C.: Interamerican Development Bank, 2010) | |||||||||||||||||