AIP208 - Government and Politics of the United States

Unit details

Note: You are seeing the 2019 view of this unit information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]
Year:2019 unit information
Enrolment modes:Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Trimester 1 Unit Chair:

Zim Nwokora

Prerequisite:

Nil

Corequisite:

Nil

Incompatible with:

Nil

Scheduled learning activities - campus:

1 x 2 hour Class per week

Scheduled learning activities - cloud (online):

1 x 2 hour Class per week (recordings provided)

Content

This unit aims to provide students with a broad and rigorous introduction to government and politics in the United States. The unit will draw on three approaches to this subject matter. First, students will be introduced to influential theories developed by political scientists to explain observations about American politics. Second, students will be introduced to historical material to illustrate change and continuity in the operations of American government and politics. Third, students will be encouraged to read contemporary commentary (usually by journalists) about American politics. An important purpose of the unit, however, is to enable students to think critically about such commentary, drawing on their theoretical and historical knowledge. The course will be structured around the study of key American political institutions and policy areas, and devote significant attention to the turbulent struggles for power in American politics.

Assessment

Assessment 1 - Report (1500 words) - 40%

Assessment 2 - Essay (2500 words) - 60%

Unit Fee Information

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