Module POLI3211: CULTURE AND CONFLICT IN AMERICAN POLITICS

Department: GOVERNMENT AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (POLITICS)

POLI3211: CULTURE AND CONFLICT IN AMERICAN POLITICS

Prerequisites

• (POLI 2041) Democratic Government and (POLI 2171) Foundations of Western Political Thought

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• The module aims to build upon knowledge of democratic politics and of political thought acquired at level 2 in order to expose the roots and present significance of important traditions of political thought and political culture in American politics. Its two parts focus respectively on American political thought and culture and on current political controversies.

Content

• The module consists of a series of 2-hour seminars, divided into two parts, political culture and political issues. The first part discusses ideological traditions as they relate to the long-term political development of the United States, and the role of consensus and cultural conflict in that development. The latter part considers various current controversies, including abortion, crime, gun control, corruption and scandal. Initial seminars in each of the two parts are in lecture format and provide overview and historical background.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will acquire knowledge and understanding of:
• Elements of political philosophy and the history of political thought relevant to the origins and development of American politics
• Methods of cultural interpretation and normative political critique used in the analysis of American politics and political development
• The interaction of political institutions, political ideas and social groups in the evolution of political contestation.
• Important elements of the political analysis of specific political controversies and events in America.
• The stakes involved in political controversy and their implications of the contested and dynamic nature of politics as both a significant field of human activity and as an academic subject.

• Students will acquire the ability to:
• Accurately and effectively describe political theories, concepts, institutions and processes in the American context
• Place the American political system and current political argument in an appropriate historical context.
• Effectively utilise diverse sources, including some primary sources in both political thought and current political controversy
• Understand the significance of political ideas and ideals to the conduct of politics in America

• Students will further develop their ability to:
• Assess the suitability and quality of resources for research purposes
• Flexibly adjust and adapt their use of knowledge and the application of intellectual skills to different forms of study: philosophical-cultural analysis and policy debate
• Utilise C&IT with discrimination in the investigation of current political issues
• Review, reinforce and integrate their knowledge independently in preparation for an examination
• Demonstrate these and the above acquisitions in written form under pressure of time and without supporting materials

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Teaching is by a combination of two ???overview??? lectures, one for each half of the module, and ten 2-hour seminars, five in each half, followed by a revision seminar. The lectures provide orientation and necessary historical background.
• The seminars enable students??? presentation of findings orally and allow collective discussion and critique of the results.
• Formative assessment is by two essays (maximum length 2,500 words), testing the student???s engagement with and performance in the module as it proceeds Summative Assessment is by 2-hour sectionalized examination, obliging students to demonstrate acquisition of knowledge and analytical capacity over the range of the module and to show the ability to organize recalled material under pressure of time.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Two presentations. Two 3000 word essays.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University