School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Gods, Guns and Gridlock: Why is American Politics Different?
  • Unit Code

    POL3142
  • Year

    2018
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Genevieve Ruth HOHNEN

Description

American politics both fascinates and disturbs much of the rest of the world. This unit examines America's distinctive political system: the emphasis on individualism and rights, the reverence for the Constitution, the influence of evangelical religion, the polarisation of political parties, the intensely fought presidential campaigns and the gridlock that envelops the system of government. This understanding will be applied to examining the debate over contentious contemporary American political issues such as inequality, abortion, gun ownership, immigration, the war on terror and race relations.

Equivalent Rule

Replaces POL3122

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse the role of key institutions of American democracy.
  2. Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of these institutions.
  3. Evaluate the distinctive features of American political culture.
  4. Apply aspects of American democracy to contemporary political and policy issues.

Unit Content

  1. America's constitutional arrangements and institutions.
  2. American political culture.
  3. America's party and electoral systems.
  4. Strengths and weaknesses of the American model of government.
  5. Key issues in American political and policy debates.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, discussion, video documentary analysis

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioPortfolio (written work and exercises)50%
ExaminationEnd of semester exam50%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioPortfolio (written work and exercises)50%
ExaminationEnd of semester exam50%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

POL3142|1|1

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Gods, Guns and Gridlock: Why is American Politics Different?
  • Unit Code

    POL3142
  • Year

    2018
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Genevieve Ruth HOHNEN

Description

American politics both fascinates and disturbs much of the rest of the world. This unit examines America's distinctive political system: the emphasis on individualism and rights, the reverence for the Constitution, the influence of evangelical religion, the polarisation of political parties, the intensely fought presidential campaigns and the gridlock that envelops the system of government. This understanding will be applied to examining the debate over contentious contemporary American political issues such as inequality, abortion, gun ownership, immigration, the war on terror and race relations.

Equivalent Rule

Replaces POL3122

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse the role of key institutions of American democracy.
  2. Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of these institutions.
  3. Evaluate the distinctive features of American political culture.
  4. Apply aspects of American democracy to contemporary political and policy issues.

Unit Content

  1. America's constitutional arrangements and institutions.
  2. American political culture.
  3. America's party and electoral systems.
  4. Strengths and weaknesses of the American model of government.
  5. Key issues in American political and policy debates.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, discussion, video documentary analysis

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioPortfolio (written work and exercises)50%
ExaminationEnd of semester exam50%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
PortfolioPortfolio (written work and exercises)50%
ExaminationEnd of semester exam50%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

POL3142|1|2