2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PIED2463 United States Politics

20 creditsClass Size: 123

Module manager: Dr Christine Margerum Harlen
Email: C.M.Harlen@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

Module replaces

PIED 2460 United States Government

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

Because the United States is the world's only superpower and exerts a great deal of influence on Britain, not least as a potential model, it is important to understand how it functions politically. Do you wonder why Americans seem to consider themselves different from other people? Do you find it puzzling that the U.S. seems to pick such inadequate presidents? Do you wonder why U.S. politics seems so different from British politics? If you are interested in any of these questions, U.S. Politics would interest you. The module starts with the origins of American political culture and the constitution and then looks at how the President, members of the legislatur, and Supreme Court are selected and how they wield their power. The role of the political parties, media and interest groups and their role in the divisiveness of U.S. politics is also examined. Finally, the module looks a how the various elements of U.S. domestic politics help determine U.S. foreign policy.The module is taught with lectures and seminars throughout semester 2. It is suitable for both those students who have studied A-level U.S. politics and those who have not.For further information see the School of Politics and International Studies website. If you cannot find the answer to your question then email C.M.Harlen@leeds.ac.uk

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to explain the workings of the political institutions of the United States of America and their social, theoretical and historical contexts. They will be able to appraise concepts and theories about US politics. They will learn to communicate ideas more accurately and use academic styles and conventions.

Syllabus

This module will cover some of the more important and enduring issues in US politics, including whether the US is politically unique; the tension between constitutionalism and pure democracy; issues surrounding elections and voting behaviour; the stresses facing the Congress, the Presidency, and the Supreme Court; partisan politics; the 'Culture War'; the controversies surround the roles played by interest groups and the media; and, the struggle to control US foreign policy. Students should consider taking this module if they intend to take PIED3402 American Foreign Policy.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Consultation	1	1.00	1.00
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			179.00
Total Contact hours			21.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

10 hours preparation per seminar: 100 hours;
Writing up and preparing for course work and the examination: 79 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students receive feedback on presentatin within two weeks. Students also submit outline or section up to 1,000 words on essay by 3 March 2008 to receive feedback by term break.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Presentation	1 x seminar presentation	10.00
Essay	1 x 2,400 word essay	40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 03/04/2009

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