Module SGIA3211: CULTURE AND CONFLICT IN AMERICAN POLITICS

Department: Government and International Affairs

SGIA3211: CULTURE AND CONFLICT IN AMERICAN POLITICS

Prerequisites

• Any Level 2 SGIA module.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• The module aims to expose the roots and assess the present significance of important traditions of political thought and political culture in American politics. Its two parts focus respectively on the historical development of American political culture and on current political controversies.

Content

• The module consists of a series of 2-hour seminars preceded by three introductory lectures. The lectures provide some essential background concerning political institutions, historical development and social-demographic structure. Part 1 of the seminars deals with political-cultural and ideological traditions within the long-term political development of the United States. Part 2 of the seminars considers, and interprets in the light of the material introduced in part 1, various current political-cultural controversies, such as those relating to abortion, crime and scandal.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will acquire knowledge and understanding of:
• traditions of political argument and controversy in the history of American political culture;
• specific current political controversies in the United States;
• the stakes involved in political controversy and implications for the contested and dynamic nature of politics as both a field of human activity and an academic subject.

• Students will acquire the ability to:
• describe, interpret and evaluate political theories, concepts, institutions and processes in the American context, as they bear on current political controversies;
• place current American political controversies in an appropriate historical and interpretive context;
• effectively utilise diverse sources, including some primary sources in both political thought and current political controversy ;
• understand the significance of political culture in 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 three introductory lectures, an introductory seminar, and ten 2-hour substantive seminars falling into two parts;.
• The lectures will provide essential background information in relation to historical political development;
• The first set of seminars and their associated reading lists address conflicting interpretations of the long-term political-cultural development of the United States, showing why claims of consensus and continuity have been advanced and challenged and revealing the historical roots of controversies that are encountered today;
• The second set of seminars and their associated reading lists focus on current controversies, bringing in material and knowledge from part 1 as appropriate;
• The seminars enable students to present their findings orally and allow collective discussion and critique of the results;
• Formative assessment is by essays and seminar presentations, based on the seminar topics. Three topics altogether to be addressed by formative assignments: one as a presentation, one as an essay, and one as a presentation followed by an essay. Maximum length of essays: 2,000 words. One essay to be done from each part of the seminar programme. This will ensure adequate coverage in depth of the module content;
• Summative assessment is by 2-hour sectionalized examination, allowing 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 essays of 2,000 words maximum length.

■ 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