Module POC3130 for 2022/3
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
POC3130: Controversies in American Politics
This module descriptor refers to the 2022/3 academic year.
Please note that this module is only delivered on the Penryn Campus.
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).
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Questions based on readings or topics to be submitted at the beginning of the week (emailed on Sunday before class) | 3-5 questions | 4, 5, 7-10 | Written feedback from module convenor and peer feedback other members of the class |
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | 0 | 30 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 70 | 3,000 words | 1-8,10 | Written |
| Group Project Presentation | 30 | 1 x 7.5 minute presentation of slides as part of pair (15 minute presentation total. Notes (all materials handed in via eBART) and evidence of contribution on Trello. | 4,5,7,8,9 | Written |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay (3,000 words) | 1-8,10 | August/September reassessment period |
| Group Project Presentation | 20 minute viva (7.5 min presentation + questions) | 4,5,7,8,9 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative Reading List
This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.
McKay, David. 2017 (9th edition). American Politics and Society. Chichester: Wiley Blackwell.
Edwards, George. 2004. Why The Electoral College is Bad for American. New Haven: Yale University Press. Issues for Debate in American Public Policy: Selections from CQ Researcher. Washington: CQ Press.
Levinson, Sanford. 2008. Our Undemocratic Constitution: Where the Constitution Goes Wrong (And How We the People Can Correct It). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
McCarty, Nolan, Keith Poole, and Howard Rosenthal. 2006. Polarized America: The Dance of Ideology and Unequal Riches. Cambridge: MIT Press.
