American Politics and Government Certificate Program of the Ukrainian Catholic University

14 September - 9 November 2022, online (zoom)

Regiatration

Ukrainian

In the process of building democratic governance in Ukraine, it is always important to pay attention to and study the best world experience. Therefore, the experience of state-building, political development, and the functioning of the institutions of the United States are essential for us. The United States is one of the world’s oldest and most stable democracies. What has made it successful? What makes it different from other nations? Unlike most countries, the U.S. is built on an idea. America is unique for being a nation built not on blood or soil but on particular principles: equality and human rights, self-government, and the rule of law. These core principles are shared by Americans regardless of nationality, race, ethnicity, religion, and ideology. Although Americans have never perfectly embodied these ideals, a common commitment to these principles is the source of American stability and prosperity.

The primary goal of the certificate program is to explore principles, values, and the structure of the U.S. political system. Also in the process of discussions and debates, we will try to understand how Ukraine can best use the experience of one of the world's most successful democracies.

Course Objectives. In this course, you will gain essential knowledge about the foundational principles of the American government, the structure of its political system, and the current state of American politics. We will examine the three branches of the U.S. government: Congress, the Presidency, and the Judiciary. We will consider the U.S. elections, party system, the influence of interest groups and lobbying, American political ideologies and social divisions, and American media.

The lecturers of the program: Micah Watson of the Calvin University (Grand Rapids, Michigan) and Matthew Kuchem of the Bethel University (St. Paul, Minnesota).

Micah J. Watson is Paul Henry Professor of Christianity and Politics at Calvin University, where he also directs the Politics, Philosophy, and Economics program. He has written several chapters for edited volumes and is the co-author of C.S. Lewis on Politics and Natural Law (Cambridge). He teaches political theory, the American constitutional tradition, and the relationship between religion and politics. He received an M.A. and Ph.D. in Politics from Princeton University and an M.A. in Church-State Studies from Baylor University. He and his wife Julie are natives of California but make their home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with their five children.

Matthew Kuchem is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Bethel University in St. Paul, where he teaches courses on American politics and policy, Western political philosophy, and American political thought. His research focuses on social metaphysics, democratic theory, Christianity and politics, and liberalism and pluralism in the American political system. He received his M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Science at Indiana University, Bloomington, and a B.S. from Union University, a Christian liberal arts institution, where he studied political science and broadcast journalism. He and his wife Courtney reside in Minnesota and enjoy traveling to Texas and Tennessee to visit their families.

Journalists, politicians, analysts, scientists, public activists, students of different social and humanitarian programs of Ukrainian universities, as well as anyone interested in American politics are encouraged to participate in the certificate program.

The classes will be held every Wednesday (19:00-20:30) from September 14 to November 9, 2022, in an online format using the video conferencing program ZOOM. Participants will also join the UCU Open platform for learning additional materials and passing control tests. Each of the 10 webinars will consist of a lecture and Q&A session. Lectures will be provided in English with simultaneous translation into Ukrainian. No English proficiency is required for successful learning on the program, but mastering additional materials (for reading or watching videos) will require a certain level of English proficiency.

The program is part of the project "Building Democracy: Rule of Law, Human Rights and Political Institutions (American Experience)” that is conducted by the Department of Political Science of the Ukrainian Catholic University in the framework of the Public Diplomacy Small Grants - Education with the support of the United States Embassy in Ukraine. The views of students and professors do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Government.

The coordinator of the certificate program is Petro Baykovskyy, Associate Professor at the Department of Political Science at the Ukrainian Catholic University, lecturer on the bachelor's program "Ethics. Politics. Economics".

The tuition fee is covered by American taxpayers, therefore participation in the program is free. To apply, please fill out the registration form by February 15, 2022, inclusive, where briefly describe your motivation and expectations from participation in the program. Each application will be considered individually and the result of the selection will be informed.

As a result of successful completion of the program (participation in webinars, reading additional materials, and passing the tests), participants will receive a certificate from the Ukrainian Catholic University (2 ECTS).

Should you have any questions regarding the program, its content, or application process, please write an email: baykovskyy@ucu.edu.ua