| Unit name | Democracy and US Government |
|---|---|
| Unit code | POLI21226 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Ross |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
This unit examines in some detail the institutions, politics and policy controversies that mark the American polity. The course revolves around the twin concepts of liberty and equality, probing the uneasy and often paradoxical application of these democratic principles. We pay particular attention to the linkages between the American people and elites and how these relationships coincide with the democratic claims of the system. Over the next weeks, we shall be evaluating the liberal/illiberal and egalitarian/inegalitarian strains that run throughout the US polity and challenging prevalent stereotypes that obscure our understanding of this highly complex political system. While each lecture and seminar will be devoted to a specific topic and illustrative policy area, such as the Constitution and the death penalty, interest groups and gun control, and the courts and abortion, students are expected to apply their accumulative knowledge to discuss considerably broader questions relating to the nature of US democracy.
Aims:
" To present an analysis of US government and politics and probe common assumptions and stereotypes about the American system. " To introduce the core issues confronting the US political system at the beginning of the 21st century. " To critically evaluate the performance of American government against its claims to be one of the worlds principal democracies.
10 lectures and 10 seminars over 10 weeks.
