module specification

This module examines the structure and operation of the US government, including all its major institutions and actors. It examines the policy-making process, electoral politics and the roles of interest groups and the media. It also looks at some major areas of controvery within American politics, such as gun control, race and immigration, and welfare and health-care reform.

Please note: This module supersedes GI2032

This module aims to:

• examine and analyse the structure and operation of the American government
• develop awareness of the domestic and international context in which US government makes policy
• raise awareness of, and enable informed engagement with, contemporary controversial and ethical issues in American government and public policy making
• provide a supportive environment for the development of competence in discussion and oral presentation
• develop and encourage confidence in the use of appropriate analytical, written and oral skills, to enhance students’ transferable skills and employability. 

• Institutions of Government - The Constitution; the Presidency; the Congress; the Supreme Court; Federalism
• The Political Process - Interest groups; political parties; mass media; elections and voting behaviour
• Policymaking - Gun control; race and immigration; welfare and health-care reform; abortion policy
• Employability Enhancement – researching government-produced data/documents and presenting findings

• There is a one-hour weekly lecture and a one-hour weekly seminar.
• Lectures incorporate a mixture of speaking, video presentations and use of IT.
• Seminars are centred on a series of pre-prepared questions, student presentations and multimedia resources.
• Blended learning is encouraged in the classroom through the use of multimedia and internet resoures. This is complimented outside the classroom by the use of a module website containing a range of materials designed to enhance students’ learning, including lecture notes, guides to improving essay writing and seminar skills, and resources such as links to relevant websites, online articles, videos and podcasts.
• Reflective learning is encouraged through the use of self-reflection tasks accompanying seminar presentations and the written assignment.
• Employability Enhancement – developing transferable skills through a focus on researching government-produced data/documents and presenting findings
   

On successful completion of this module students will:

• be able to demonstrate an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of the US system of government, including the significance of principles such as the separation of powers, and checks and balances
• appreciate the interplay of a range of political actors and institutions in the policy-making process
• be able to assess and critically analyse domestic and international events that impact on the US, including their causes and implications
• show an awareness of, and more confidence in, using learning, academic and communication skills, including evaluating news reports and official statements about American government
• have developed a range of transferable employability skills, in oral, writing and research competencies 

Assessment is based on two elements:

1. Formative – students will deliver seminar presenations during the module on the topics dealt with in the course.

2. Summative – an essay, worth 100% of the final grade. It will be 2000-2500 words in length. This must be submitted by week 14.
 

Books:
R. Duncan and J. Goddard (2005) Contemporary America, 2nd ed. (London: Palgrave
  Macmillan)
D. McKay (2009) American Politics and Society,7th ed. (Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell)
D. Mckay, D. Houghton and A. Wroe (2002) Controversies in American Politics and
  Society (Oxford: Basil Blackwell)
R. McKeeverand P. Davies (2006) Politics USA, 2nd ed. (London: Pearson Longman)
G. Peele (ed.) (2010) Developments in American Politics 6 (London: Palgrave Macmillan)
R. Singh (ed.) (2003) Governing America: The Politics of a Divided Democracy (Oxford:
  Oxford University Press)
R. Singh (2003) Contemporary American Politics and Society: Issues and Controversies
  (London: Sage)
H. Sitkoff (ed.) (2001) Perspectives on Modern America (Oxford: Oxford University Press)
M. J. C. Vile (2007) Politics in the USA, 6th ed. (London: Routledge)

  Web Sites:
The US Government portal - http://www.usa.gov
The White House - http://www.whitehouse.gov
The National Archives - http://www.archives.gov
The Republican Party - http://www.gop.com
The Democratic Party - http://www.democrats.org