GI5067 - Contemporary US Politics (2023/24)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2023/24 | ||||||||||||
| Module title | Contemporary US Politics | ||||||||||||
| Module level | Intermediate (05) | ||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||||
| School | School of Social Sciences and Professions | ||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2023/24(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
This module examines the structure, values and operation of the US government, including all its principles of exceptionalism, the major institutions and key 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 controversy within American politics, such as political ethics, gun control, healthcare (Obamacare), and race and immigration. In the wake of the election of the property-tycoon and celebrity Donald Trump as the President in 2016, it considers the impact of the celebrity politician, social media and cyber-activity in US political life. Trump’s refusal to countenance electoral defeat to Joe Biden in 2020 saw the 6 January attack on the Capitol building and an attempted to coup that has rocked the US political system with the rise of the rump of MAGA supporters and divisions in the Republican Party.
In particular, you will be able to:
1. Examine and analyse the structure and operation of the American government
2. Develop awareness of the domestic and international context in which US government makes policy
3. Raise awareness of, and enable informed engagement with, contemporary controversial and ethical issues in American government and public policy making
Prior learning requirements
None. Available for Study Abroad students.
Syllabus
1. Institutions of Government - The Constitution; the Presidency; the Congress; the Supreme Court; Federalism. Constitutional and political crisis.
2. The Political Process - Interest groups; Trump, MAGA and the dealignment of the political parties; mass media; elections and voting behaviour; celebrity politics; cyber-activity and the use of the social media.
3. Policymaking - Gun control; race and immigration; welfare and health-care reform; abortion policy.
All Learning Outcomes will be covered.
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Reflective and independent learning will be encouraged through reflective report planning, practical activities and the regular interactive lectures and seminar discussions.
Students will be required to attend all classes, to engage in the set activities, to prepare in advance by attempting assigned readings, to complete coursework ahead of deadlines and to act on the feedback they receive.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will:
1. Be able to assess and critically analyse domestic and international events that impact on the US, including their causes and implications for syllabus knowledge.
2. Show an awareness of, and more confidence in, using learning, academic and communication skills, including evaluating news reports and official statements about American government.
3. Apply their resulting analytical expertise to write and comment with authority on the subject of Contemporary American Politics for assessment purposes.
4. Have developed a range of transferable employability skills, in oral, writing and research competencies for degree progression.
Assessment strategy
Assessment is based on two elements:
1. A seminar presentation, worth 20% of the final grade, based on the topics dealt with in the course.
2. An essay, worth 80% of the final grade. It will be 2,500 words in length.
Essay: Writing and presentation skills for academic practices
Weekly Seminar Presentation/Assessment (continuous performance): Reflection in class debates for subject and educational scholarship.
Formative Feedback: Essay Workshop (Week 9) and submission of essay abstract via Turnitin to supplied with feedback commentary within a week of submission. Dialogue is promoted for a shared understanding of academic judgements and marking criteria is provided for students to develop skills for good practice. This feedback is timely, constructive and developmental.
Summative Feedback: Submission of essay and returned with marks comments via Turniitin within two weeks of submission. Deadlines, marking and moderating processes are communicated via weblearn and within lectures/classes.