Undergraduate MAQ-POIX3920-2020

United States Politics: Money, Culture, Power

Previously MAQ-POIX392-2020

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.

Duration

18 weeks

Study method

100% online

Available loans

HECS-HELP
FEE-HELP

Assessments

100% online

Prior study

Not required

Study terms

27 Jul 2020

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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Times Higher Education Ranking 2020

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
MAQ-POIX392-United States Politics: Money, Culture, Power

Others

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

Special requirements

OtherDetails -
Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy are not permitted to enrol in OUA units offered by Macquarie University. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.

Description

This subject was previously known as PLTX392 American Politics, POIX392 United States Politics: Money, Culture, Power.

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 unit explores the relationship between money, culture and power in contemporary US politics, paying particular attention to the 2016 Presidential election and its subsequent repercussions. Topics covered include elections, campaigns and campaign financing; political parties in US politics; social inequalities of race, class, gender and sexual preference; political emotions, the media and post-truth politics; religion and the formulation of dominant political ideas; and the politics of the Alt-Right.

Assessments

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

Textbooks

Current study term (26 Jul 20 to 27 Nov 20)

Check the learning management system (LMS) of your university for textbook details.

Related degrees

Undergraduate MAQ-ART-DEG-2020

Bachelor of Arts

9 available majors

Major in English
Major in Ancient History
Major in Modern History
Major in Philosophy
Major in Politics
Major in Sociology
Major in Creative Writing
Major in Indigenous Studies
Major in International Relations