ENG4534 – American Politics
Course description
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:
- know 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 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 – American Politics.
- 10 credits overlap with NORAM2580 – American Intellectual and Political History (discontinued).
Teaching
Seminars, 2 hours per week for 10 weeks. 20 hours in all.
- Students will submit two preliminary assignments in the course of the teaching semester, one of which is a first draft of their term paper, by stated deadlines. Read more about rules concerning valid excuses and how to apply for approved postponements here.
The obligatory activity must be approved for you to sit the exam. Approved obligatory attendance is only valid the semester you attend the course.
Examination
The form of assessment is a term paper of 15 standard pages (a standard page consists of 2,300 characters) in which you consider and analyze the current academic debate on the politics of identity and inclusion.
The term paper should demonstrate an understanding of the relation between the specific issue discussed and the readings specific to the course as well as sources the candidate locates on her/his own. The term paper must demonstrate an ability to include several different perspectives and analyze the central issues. Students are expected to consult academic journals in area(s) relevant to their topic and cite at least three academic articles in their final paper.
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
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.