POLSC507

Students will gain from a more detailed understanding of the US political system, and the advanced political science literature dedicated to exploring the US and its people. That is, political science students benefit from learning the politics and institutions of a country that commands the primary focus of political science literature. Students with more global or domestic interests (e.g. international relations, New Zealand politics), learn the context for more accurately evaluating US behaviour and intentions abroad; develop a more accurate foundation for comparison with other countries (e.g. comparative politics & policy); and strengthen their theoretical and methodological understanding of various external influences on governance (e.g. media, public opinion, and political behaviour). Even a more general audience gains from better understanding the world’s major economic, political, and cultural force. Ultimately, in this course, students will gain insights in these areas while developing a command of the US political science field.