Introduction to American Politics

Institutions and the people who use them

The course gives a substantive overview of U.S. politics, starting with the institutional foundations that shape the system. It then looks at the activity of political elites, organisations and ordinary citizens within that structure.

Political science as a method

Beyond describing American institutions, the course brings political science ideas and analytic tools to specific episodes. That combination means the material works both as a survey of U.S. politics and as an introduction to how the discipline reasons.

Who it suits

Students who want a first course in political science, and readers who want a structured way to think about how American politics works. Its focus on concrete episodes makes it approachable for anyone who follows the news.

• The institutional foundations of U.S. government.
• The roles of elites, organisations and citizens.
• Applying political science frameworks to real events.