Registry
Module Specifications
Archived Version 2003 - 2004
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Module Title |
American Political System
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Module Code |
LG113
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School |
School of Law & Government
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Online Module Resources
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| Module Co-ordinator | Professor Robert Elgie | Office Number | C219 |
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Level |
1
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Credit Rating |
5
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Pre-requisite |
None
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Co-requisite |
None
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Module Aims
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To introduce students to the political system of the United States of America.
To highlight the differences between the US system of governance and typical European models.
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Learning Outcomes
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Students should acquire an insight into the complex politics of the USA and how the system of checks and balances at the heart of its system of governance operates.
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Indicative Time Allowances
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Hours
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Lectures |
24
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Tutorials |
0
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Laboratories |
0
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Seminars |
0
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Independent Learning Time |
51
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Total |
75
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Placements |
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Assignments |
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NOTE
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Assume that a 5 credit module load represents approximately 75 hours' work, which includes all teaching, in-course assignments, laboratory work or other specialised training and an estimated private learning time associated with the module.
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Indicative Syllabus
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1. Constitution Building the Historic Context
the 'Founding Fathers'
the Federalist Papers
the Compromises
2. The US Constitution Separation of Powers
Federalism
the Bill of Rights
The Rigid Amendment procedure
3. The Presidency
4. The Congress
5. Judicial Review
6. The Political Parties
7. The Electoral System and voting behaviour
8. Federalism
9. Interest Group Politics
10. American Exceptionalism
11. Election 2004
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| Assessment | | Continuous Assessment | 0% | Examination Weight | 100% |
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Indicative Reading List
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Bowles, Nigel (1993) The Government and Politics of the United States. Macmillan.
McKay, David (1993). American Politics and Society. Blackwell.
Maidment, Richard, Robert McKeever and John Zvesper (1998). Politics USA. Hemel Hempstead: Prentice Hall.
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Programme or List of Programmes
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| BS | Bachelor of Business Studies |
| CA | BSc in Computer Applications |
| EBT | BA in European Business (Trans.Studies) |
| Archives: | |
