藉由此課程，學生將會對美國政府與政治有基礎且扎實的認識，並在理論基礎上學習分析、進而批判美國社會重要議題。這是一門介紹美國政治及其重要議題的入門課程，對美國政治有興趣的同學，能在這門課學到基本(卻重要)的理論結構，並用這幾個架構審視美國當今重要議題，包括(但不限於)：出兵伊拉克、墮胎、胎盤研究，槍枝管制、教育改革、同性戀結婚、貧富差距、非法移民、仇恨性言論、弱勢族群政策等等。修習此課程的同學，應該開始注意美國方面新聞，收視CNN、紐約時報等網路免費英文媒介，同學對英文的理解能力不會是評分依據，但多多接觸美式英語有助於同學對美國政治產生｢在地性｣的理解(Insider’s perspective)。

Through this course, students will have a basic and solid understanding of American government and politics, and learn to analyze and then criticize important issues in American society on a theoretical basis. This is an introductory course that introduces American politics and its important issues. Students who are interested in American politics can learn basic (but important) theoretical structures in this course, and use these structures to examine important current issues in the United States, including (but not limited to): military deployment in Iraq, abortion, placenta research, gun control, education reform, gay marriage, wealth gap, illegal immigration, hate speech, policies for disadvantaged ethnic groups, etc. Students taking this course should start paying attention to American news and watch CNN, the New York Times and other free online English media. Students’ ability to understand English will not be the basis for grading, but more exposure to American English will help students develop an “local” understanding of American politics (Insider’s perspective).

前半段上美國立國精神、行政、立法、司法；後半段上當代美國議題。

The first half covers the founding spirit, administration, legislation, and judiciary of the United States; the second half covers contemporary American issues.

1.隨堂講義
2.美國政府與政治 唐士其著 李炳南主編

1. Lecture notes
2. American Government and Politics, written by Tang Shiqi and edited by Li Bingnan