Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POC3130: Controversies in American Politics

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Please note that this module is only delivered on the Penryn Campus.

Module Aims

This module provides a survey of the major contemporary controversies in American politics, from constitutional reform, through polarization in public opinion, to areas of public policy. We will use theories and findings from the study of US Politics to understand and analyze each of the controversies we study. We will examine classic and contemporary work in these fields.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills	1. demonstrate knowledge of the arguments major theories of the influences on debates in the various controversies we examine in oral and written work 2. discuss the strengths and weaknesses of different theories and research in oral and written work; 3. apply major theories about US Politics to historical and contemporary issues in oral and written work
Discipline-Specific Skills	4. demonstrate comprehension and the ability to use key concepts pertaining to US Politics in oral and written work; 5. synthesize and critique a variety of theories and arguments in the field in your written work; 6. demonstrate a deep understanding of the implications of new evidence for a given theory in your oral and written work; 7. demonstrate that you understand different methods of research in the field and their implications for findings in your oral and written work;
Personal and Key Skills	8. work independently in spontaneous discussion and defence of arguments 9. demonstrate oral and written analytical and organizational skills in essays, presentations and discussion; and 10. write essays to a deadline.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics and debates:

1. The Constitution and constitutional reform

2. Culture wars in public opinion

3. The electoral system

4. Voting and voting rights

5. Political communication (campaign advertising, fake news, social media)

6. The two-party system

7. Reforming Congress

8. Changing the Supreme Court

9. America’s place in the world

10. Public policy controversies

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
22	128	0

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity	22	The module will be taught through 11 weekly 2 hours of lectures and seminars (starting week 1) over one term, in which we discuss the topics and materials.
Guided Independent study	128	Private study reading and preparing (around 4 hours of reading and note-taking per week = 44 hours); researching and writing essay (around 56 hours researching, planning and writing the essay). Around 28 hours researching (20 hours) planning (4 hours) and writing (4 hours) presentation.

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).