PO207-15 Politics of the U.S.A.
Introductory description
This module provides a comprehensive introduction to the political system of the United States of America and to the rival theoretical accounts explaining the political outcomes this system generates. It focuses on the ideas that influence US politics, and the key actors that participate in the American political system. These actors include the President, Congress, the Supreme Court, political parties, and the electorate. It also assesses the power and influence of informal actors that affect US politics such as the media and special interest groups, as well as considering the impact of race, ethnicity, gender and religion on political participation and representation. Finally, the module explores the political formulation of foreign policy.
Module aims
The module aims to:
- Provide students with a comprehensive overview of how government and politics are organised in the United States, focusing on the federal level;
- Introduce students to the complex and distinct nature of American political institutions, along with their historical and ideational basis;
- Locate contemporary US politics within the context of the theoretical debates on the nature of the US political system, and its relation with the rest of the world.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
TBC
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- To be familiar with the main foundations of the US political structure
- To understand the format, functions and powers of the major institutions of US government at the federal level
- To have an awareness of the major policy debates in contemporary US politics
- To be familiar with a wide range of contemporary academic literature on US government and politics
- To be able to critically analyse complex ideas, both orally and in writing, with relation to contemporary US politics
Indicative reading list
TBC
Subject specific skills
TBC
Transferable skills
TBC
Study time
Type | Required |
---|---|
Lectures | 9 sessions of 1 hour (6%) |
Seminars | 9 sessions of 1 hour (6%) |
Private study | 132 hours (88%) |
Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
TBC
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group C
Weighting | Study time | |
---|---|---|
Essay (3000 words) | 50% | |
3,000 word essay |
||
Online Examination | 50% | |
1.5 hour examination
|
Feedback on assessment
Exams and essays are marked according to criteria set out in the Undergraduate Handbook
There is currently no information about the courses for which this module is core or optional.