Understanding the US Government

By: Jennifer Nicoll Victor, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Professor Jennifer Nicoll Victor

Whether we participate or not, government plays a deeply fundamental role in how we live. By gaining a clear grasp of political institutions, we’re better equipped to engage with government and politics; to be discerning consumers of news, media, and public opinion; and to grasp the deeper content and meaning of the legislation and policies we live with.

In these 24 refreshingly balanced lectures, Professor Victor presents a comprehensive examination of American politics in which she demystifies its many puzzles and offers a nonpartisan look at the outcomes it produces. You’ll delve into essential topics such as:

• How the federal bureaucracy is organized. Learn how our bureaucracy breaks down into the 15 cabinet departments, the many independent governmental agencies, and the government corporations;
• Intricacies of Congress and the legislature. Across three lectures, study how the House and Senate function and interact, how congressional bills are passed, and how congressional elections operate;
• The politics of the Supreme Court. Investigate outside influences on the Court’s rulings, take account of judicial ideology within the Court, and witness the political and policy effects of the Court’s actions;
• The challenge of campaign finance. Observe how organized interests maneuver around campaign finance laws, ensuring that a small group of people finance most of what happens during our elections;
• Politics and the media. Track the phenomenon of political media as both information and entertainment, and grasp how our media environment is ripe for misinformation and conspiracy theories;
• America’s deep political polarization. Take a rigorous look at how the United States has become more politically polarized than at any time in the past 140 years.

In Understanding the US Government, you’ll gain valuable insights for assessing the policies coming out of Washington, the news, the media, and the ongoing political dialogue that moves our democracy and shapes the actions of the United States on the world stage.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2020 The Great Courses (P)2020 The Teaching Company, LLC

Essential

This is for everyone that lives in the United States or wants to understand the U.S.

Could be better.

A lot of good information plagued with opinions and skewed facts. Less bias would do wonders for the course.

Good info overall but biased in places

Overall, this was a great program. At times, I sensed a less than objective viewpoint. this was especially apparent at the end. That bias would be the primary disappointment in the program. But the information was very well done and incredibly valuable.

excellent

this course was fantastic. it was amazing how little I knew about America's government practices and policies. the course answered many of my questions along with providing more information that I never realized.

Worth the purchase at expensive of ideology

For the most part this course was informative. Reading other reviews I was also torn because of how much her opinion was mixed in with the facts. I wish the great courses or even Jennifer would’ve reevaluated the material and taken more of a non bias point of view. We all have our opinions and it’s almost impossible to keep them out but this course was more than usual. The course was worth the credit just know some of it is her opinion and not just the facts.

Great information on us government

Engaging info about the United States as a nation and its history. Fast paced and sometimes complicated but still easy to digest.

Great lectures and insight!

Professor was very astute and presented material in a way that one could easily understand.

Lives up to title.

Not only was the information great, it was presented and conveyed very well. Thank you.

Tactful Progressive Bias

Yes, this book is from an individual who has a degree in Political Science, which usually has a progressive bias, but there were plenty of elements left out or had a personal platform included into the story. This book addresses the Internment Camps the U.S. had for the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor. There was the emphasis on how the U.S. judged all Japanese citizens for their ties to Japan. It was just easier to throw them in Internment Camps. However, the book doesn't address how the U.S. also had the Internment Camps for the Germans. It illuded that it was all about a race based biased. Towards the end it discusses how it's the right-wing media that spreads the conspiracy theories and how ring wingers have a narrow gap to get their information. There needs to be some sort of 'it's my opinion' v. here's some speculation. I've listened to a decent amount of The Great Courses, and this is the first where there's a stronger focus on her opinion compared to presenting the full picture. I was hoping for more insight of each department of the government, not a tactful political jab here and there.

This book covers:
The U.S. Government framework
Civil Liberties
Bills turning into Laws
Congressional Elections
Presidency Power
Government Bureaucracy
The Supreme Court
Elections and Voting
Government Affecting Economy
Financial Safety Nets
Foreign Policies
American Democracy

The writer/speaker was quite articulate and had a notable understanding of the topic. Just disappointed in her politics getting involved.

Good Attempt to Appear Unbiased

Overall informative. I do believe that most college studies on political science, including this one, have a demonstrable bias that tends to lean to the left, mainly when they make the assertions that they claim as unbiased facts and on some "study" that was conducted (keep in mind that most of those conducting these studies are most likely Democrat). Examples are claims that the media remains mostly ethical and unbiased, or that the Republican Party contains more extremists in its ranks. I think it is blatantly obvious based on recent history that assertion is absolutely absurd. That being said, omitting those types of assertions, the lecture was nonetheless informative. One just has to discern the differences.