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PIR-10039 - Module Specification
School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

For academic year: 2024/25 Last Updated: 21 November 2024

PIR-10039 - Debates in American Politics
Coordinator: Jonathan Parker Room: CBB2.029 Tel: +44 1782 7 33547
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

American Politics is driven by debate over contested issues. Americans are divided over their foreign policy, over social issues such as race and abortion, and the U.S. has embarked upon debates so heated that they're sometimes referred to as the 'culture wars'. There are also ongoing contests over areas such as education and environmental policy. This module will introduce students to many of these debates. Each week, we look at a new policy area and get you to debate the rights and wrongs of current U.S. policy and where it should go next. The module also serves to introduce you to the subject of American Politics - it's all pitched at those new to the topic. The module depends on your presentations, advocating one side or the other of a debate in a key policy area. Over the semester, you should learn about a series of policy debates, who's advocating what and develop your skills in presentation and argument.

Aims
1. The module will introduce students to a number of high-profile public policy issues in American politics and the debates surrounding those issues.
2. The module will develop students ability to present, advocate, research an argument.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/pir-10039/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate knowledge of key debates in U.S. politics: 1,2
Demonstrate an ability to work in a team to produce a presentation: 1
Research a topic using online sources to advocate a specific argument: 1,2
Present material in a persuasive audio-visual presentation: 1,2
Discern between advocacy and academic debate: 1,2
Communicate ideas and arguments with clarity: 1,2

Study hours

Lectures: 11 hrs (11 x 1hr)
Seminars: 11hrs (11 x 1 hr)
Structured engagement with online resources in preparation for seminars: 66 hrs
Preparation of Group Presentation: 22 hours
Preparation of Individual Presentation: 40 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Group Presentation weighted 30%
Team of 3-5 presents for 15 mins arguing one side of debate


2: Presentation weighted 70%
Individual or pair of students presents 15 mins argument on one side of debate with rebuttal and questions from class


The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 21 November 2024