Undergraduate MAQ-POIX392-2018

United States Politics: Money, Culture, Power

Currently MAQ-POIX3920-2020

Take stock of how money and culture feeds into the American political system. Explain the power of the Constitution in US politics. Monitor the influence of special interest groups. See how race, faith and the economy intertwine with policy.

Study method

100% online

Available loans

HECS-HELP
FEE-HELP

Assessments

100% online

Prior study

Not required

This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 30,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.

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Subject details

What you'll learn

At the completion of this subject, students will be able to:

find, analyse and interpret primary and secondary US political sources and present the information in a written form
distinguish between competing interpretations of key US political issues, and succinctly express the strengths and weaknesses of these interpretation in written and oral form
explain the main features of US political institutions such as the Constitution, Federalism, Congress and the Presidency
articulate their knowledge of US politics in group discussions.

Topics covered

- Introduction: US political culture, beliefs and values
- The American Constitution
- Political Parties
- Political Participation and Elections
- Congress
- The Presidency
- Research for Essay
- Interest groups
- Religion and Politics
- Race and Politics
- Social Policy and Welfare
- The Economy and Politics
- Examination Week

Entry requirements

Equivalent subjects

You cannot enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:

MAQ-PLTX392

Others

Students should have studied some politics at 200 level prior to undertaking this subject.

Special requirements

No special requirements

Description

This subject was previously known as PLTX392 American Politics.

US politics is today, as in much of its past, dominated by money and the power that money can buy. US cultural life is also preoccupied with money, in ways that profoundly affect the distribution of political power. Proceeding from these premises, this subject explores the relationship between money, culture and power in contemporary US politics. Topics covered include campaign financing, interest groups and the media; the impact of social inequalities of class, race, gender and sexual preference on US politics; the role of religion and political parties in the formulation of dominant political ideas; and the politics surrounding the global financial crisis and its aftermath.

Assessments

Essay 1 (20%)
Essay 2 (40%)
Non-Invigilated Exam (30%)
Participation (10%)

Textbooks