NYU Wagner

Governance

If you have not taken an American Government course in several years and need to brush up on your knowledge of the basic design and functions of the governmental units in the United States, you are strongly encouraged to take Introduction to Governance (P11.1789) prior to taking Introduction to Public Policy (P11.1022).  

Introduction to Governance (P11.1789):

This module is taught in three sessions during Pre-Term, the week of workshops prior to the start of the semester. The primary text is American Government: Institutions and Policies, James Q. Wilson, John J. DiIulio, Jr. 8th edition (or later editions). Lexington, MA: D.C. Heath and Company. 2000. Copies are available at the NYU Library, at the NYU Professional Bookstore (530 LaGuardia Place, 998-4680) or through online bookstores such as www.Amazon.com.

The goal of the Introduction to Governance module is to provide Wagner students without academic or work experience in government or politics with a basic knowledge of the structure and workings of the American governmental system, primarily at the national level. Specifically, we review the:

• History and development of the American political state (including its British roots);
• Other governance models as comparisons;
• Major systems of the United States government
  • Legislative - Congress: House of Representatives and Senate
  • Executive - President and Executive Agencies
  • Judicial - Supreme and Circuit Courts;
• Federal/state government relations;
• Role of power and politics in governance;
• Elections and interest groups; and
• Dominant political ideologies in American politics.

 

* Note: Introduction to Governance requires registration on Albert.