Learning everywhere-have NTHU professor as your personal tutor. NTHU OCW is always here for the enthusiastic learners.
Course Description
This course aims at introducing students government and politics of America, including its major elected offices (president, senators, congressmen and state governors), nomination process (caucuses and primaries), political parties and candidates, campaign issues and financing, and the general election. In addition, there will be discussion on American foreign policy. We are going to use President Barack Obama’s major speeches and his book as the basis of our approach.
Textbook
Barack Obama
| ♠ | The Audacity of Hope. New York: Vintage Books, 2006. |
Domestic Politics
| ♠ | Commencement Speech, Notre Dame, Indiana, May 17, 2009 |
| ♠ | Inaugural Speech, Washington, D.C., January 20, 2009 |
| ♠ | Victory Speech, Chicago, November 4, 2008 |
| ♠ | Acceptance of Nomination Speech, Denver, August 28, 2008 |
| ♠ | Keynote Speech at Democratic National Convention, Boston, July 27, 2004 |
Foreign Policy
| ♠ | Speech in Beijing, November 2009 |
| ♠ | Speech at Cairo University, June 4, 2009 |
| ♠ | Speech to Turkish Parliament, April 6, 2009 |
| ♠ | Speech in Berlin, July 24, 2008 |
Teaching Method
This class is comprised of both lecture and discussion. Students are expected to participate in class discussion. This is considered to be an integral part of the learning process and will be weighed in the final grade. A student should try to finish the reading assignment before each class, take notes during the class, and review the materials after the class on his/her own. The medium of communication in this course is English. Texts, lecture, examinations, report, and class discussion will all be conducted in English. If you do not feel comfortable with this format, you should re-consider whether this course truly meets your needs.
