ENG4534 ¨C American Politics

Course content

This course focuses on contemporary national politics, including ideological conflicts and political ideas within the institutional framework and practices of the American system including - the federal structure, the presidency, election procedure, political parties, Congress and the courts. .

The course is topical in character, but regardless of the specific topic, broader institutional patterns as well as moments of fracture, dislocation and change will be considered. Explanatory paradigms include the role of ideas and ideologies, the influences of the media sphere, changing or clashing definitions of American identity(ies), the politics of symbolism, as well as the impact of geographical divergence (regionalism), social change and economic stress.

Learning outcome

After completing this course, you:

• have insight into the institutional arrangements of the American political system;
• can analyze the content of contemporary American ideologies;
• can identify the changing character of media coverage;
• can analyze politics from the standpoints of ideology and policy.
• can assess, analyze and synthesize the current academic debate over identity politics and political systems

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Recommended previous knowledge

Students are expected to be familiar with American political institutions - the presidency, elections, political parties, Congress, and the courts - or to acquire such knowledge during the course of the semester through background reading.

Good reading skills in English and a foundation in one or more of the following disciplines: history, political science, sociology or history of ideas.

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with ENG2534 ¨C American Politics.
• 10 credits overlap with NORAM2580 ¨C American Intellectual and Political History (discontinued).

Teaching

Seminars, 2 hours per week for 10 weeks. 20 hours in all.

Obligatory activities:

• Students will be required to contribute 1-2 in-class "performances" which may be tackled individually, in pairs and/or in small groups.
• Students will submit one preliminary written assignment¡ªthe first draft of their term paper¡ªin the course of the teaching semester by stated deadlines. Read more here about rules concerning valid excuses and how to apply for postponements. Information about guidelines for obligatory activities.
• It is obligatory to show up for a minimum of 60% of the teaching. In this course you have to attend 6 of 10 seminars. The requirement is absolute.

The allowed absence limit will cover all absences, including illness. You will not be granted valid absences with documentation, even when the absence is due to something beyond your control.

If the course has in-person teaching, and you are signed up for an in-person seminar group, you are to attend the teaching in the location found in the schedule.

If the course has digital teaching, and you are signed up for a digital seminar group, you must attend via Zoom with your camera on.

In certain circumstances, i.e. serious or chronic illness, you could apply for special needs accommodations.

All obligatory activities must be approved for you to sit the exam. Approved obligatory activities are only valid the semester you attend the course.

Examination

The exam form is a term paper of 15 pages (+/- 10%; note: a standard page consists of 2,300 characters). References and bibliography come in addition.

You choose the topic of the term paper from a list provided by the lecturer.

The term paper should demonstrate an understanding of the relation between the specific issue discussed in the paper and one or more of the course¡¯s themes (synthesis). It should consider opposing perspectives on the issue. Ideally, analysis of both the emotional force and strategic significance of the issue should be considered.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Resit an examination

A term paper or equivalent that is passed may not be resubmitted in revised form.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.