32501

WiSe 20/21: Citizen-State Relations in the US

Guido Rohmann

Comments

ONLINE COURSE. Although being the latest and arguably the most impactful national crisis in United States history, the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic was not the first and will not be the last time that a well-functioning state has shown itself to be an instrumental element in determining the outcome of a national crisis. The initially triggering and still ongoing health crisis rapidly became only part of the problem as large economic and political crises simultaneously unfolded in the country. Despite the importance of a functioning state, many US citizens have a skeptical, at times even hostile stance towards it, even in non-crisis times. This course examines the roots and the consequences of the relationships between US citizens and their state by 1) studying the institutional structure and historical development of the US state, 2) analyzing how citizen-state relations manifest themselves, and 3) examining the role of these relations in regard to US politics. Where possible, the course will incorporate current examples to show how citizen-state relations are especially important and can be extremely influential under pressure. Along the way, the course will also incorporate sections on how to access and engage with academic texts, and how to organize literature and acquired knowledge. To obtain participatory credit, regular attendance at discussion-based seminars is required. Course participants will be expected to closely familiarize themselves with the required reading material and to demonstrate their knowledge of the texts through regular active participation in class discussions and regular written assignments. To obtain full credit, participants will need to meet all requirements for participatory credit and additionally pass an oral exam, for which they will need to prepare an additional written assignment. The oral exam will be held digitally in the early weeks of the semester break. close

15 Class schedule

Regular appointments

Mon, 14:00 - 16:00 15 Class schedule

Mon, 2020-11-02 14:00 - 16:00

Lecturers:
Guido Rohmann