AMS201H1

Myths and Realities of US Governance

This course examines how American government works in theory, practice, and public imagination. Students will develop foundational knowledge of institutional structures, including the branches of federal government, federalism, elections, and the role of non-state actors, while analyzing how these institutions function in contemporary political life. Cultural representations will serve as sources for exploring public perceptions of governance, including issues of power and corruption. Through this course, students will critically assess the relationship between constitutional design, popular understanding, and actual political practice.