-
AM-120
Forging a Nation: US History and Politics
Want to understand how the United States became the nation it is today, shaping global events and wrestling with complex internal issue s? This module explores the intertwined story of US history, society, and politics, tracing its dramatic journey from British colonies fighting for independence and building a new government, through the epic transformations of the nineteenth century--including civil war and expansion--to its rise as a global superpower. You'll explore how core US ideals were formed and contested, examine the forces that created a multicultural society shaped by race, class, and immigration, and understand the transformative impact of movements like Civil Rights. By connecting past struggles and foundational ideas to today's major political challenges and debates--from current elections to ongoing quests for equality--this module offers an essential, interdisciplinary perspective on the forces that built and continue to define the modern US.
-
AM-336
American Studies Dissertation
The American Studies dissertation is a free-standing, 40-credit module for American Studies students only, which runs across both semesters of Level Three. Candidates conduct research upon a subject of their choice, devised in consultation with a member of staff teaching on the American Studies degree. The topic must fall within staff research and teaching interests.
-
PO-258
America in Crisis: From the Tet Offensive to Trump
1968 is often characterised as the annus horribilis of modern American history. Jules Witcover referred to 1968 as `The Year the Dream Died¿ and soon critics of the 1970s were writing in terms of America undergoing `Anxious Years¿ (McQuaid), as having `Uncertain Greatness¿ (Morris), and talking in terms of a `Retreat from Empire¿ (Osgood). This module will critically examine the reasons behind, and impact of, America¿s crisis of confidence. Such an analysis will consider the importance of issues such as the end of the Vietnam War, the Black Power movement, the Watergate Crisis, the pardon of Richard Nixon, the reopening of the Kennedy assassination, the so called `political malaise¿ and the Iranian Hostage crisis. The course then examines the legacy of events that lead to a surge in support for the Moral Majority and the New Right in America. As such, the course will look at the resurgence of religion as a powerful force in American domestic and foreign policy, a force that retains considerable sway in current American elections. The course will look at how Ronald Reagan focussed on bringing back pride, power and prestige to the presidency through a focus on new economics, tax cuts and heavy military spending. Despite this, the connection of the New Right to Reagan is a complex one. The legacy of this period will also be assessed in terms of the polarisation of American politics during the 1990s and beyond, the formation of the Tea Party, and the continuing decline in the trust in American government and political representatives.
-
PO-281
British Politics and Public Policy
This module examines British political debates on public policy as they have developed from the New Liberals to the Labour Government of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. It looks at five key periods and controversies. Firstly, the purpose and achievements of the so-called 'New Liberalism' of the turn of the century and beyond. Secondly public policy during the crises of the inter-war years. Thirdly, we will examine the question of the post-war 'consensus' over public policy. The fourth topic is the origins and nature of Thatcherism while the fifth is the origins and development of the Labour Government since 1997. Students following this module will thus develop a sound knowledge and appreciation of the ongoing debates about the nature and purpose of public policy as well as arguments over the means of implementation. They will also find themselves able to place contemporary debate into its vital historical perspective'
-
PO-281A
British Politics and Public Policy
This module examines British political debates on public policy as they have developed from the New Liberals to the Labour Government of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. It looks at five key periods and controversies. Firstly, the purpose and achievements of the so-called 'New Liberalism' of the turn of the century and beyond. Secondly public policy during the crises of the inter-war years. Thirdly, we will examine the question of the post-war 'consensus' over public policy. The fourth topic is the origins and nature of Thatcherism while the fifth is the origins and development of the Labour Government since 1997. Students following this module will thus develop a sound knowledge and appreciation of the ongoing debates about the nature and purpose of public policy as well as arguments over the means of implementation. They will also find themselves able to place contemporary debate into its vital historical perspective'
-
PO-3333
Clear and Present Danger: America and Terrorism
This module will provide an in-depth study of America¿s complex relationship with terrorism. Terrorist acts against America are as old as the Republic itself. Following consideration of what actions can meaningfully be considered acts of terrorism, this module will scrutinize, assess and explain terrorist threats against the US since 1776. It will offer both context and analysis of these threats and demonstrate that there are important historical connections and trends to be identified, not least in America¿s response to them. The module will seek to compare and contrast important periods in American history in which terrorist threats were prevalent, from the 1886 Haymarket Bombing to the attack on Wall Street in 1920 through the rise of terrorist threats during the 1950s when Congress was attacked and an attempt was made on the life of President Harry S. Truman. The module will then move to assess the escalation of terrorist threats from both terrorist groups and rogue states during the late 1960s when Nixon declared the problem a clear danger to the US through the 1980s when Reagan declared a `war on terror¿. The module culminates with the attacks of 9/11. The module will encourage students to make use of a wide variety of primary sources that will enable to them investigate, analyse and understand the origins and responses of the US to terrorist threats both historically and contemporarily. The module will also offer a multi-disciplinary approach to its subject by considering the impact of terrorism on American popular culture and demonstrate that as presidential interest in the terrorism threat began to rise from 1968, so too did interest from media sources and movie makers.
-
PO-3334
America and the Bomb
This module looks at the history and development of America¿s role in creating and utilising the atomic bomb as well as the development of `nuclear diplomacy¿ and subsequently America¿s attempts at nuclear control and non-proliferation. The course traces America¿s path to becoming the first nuclear power and focuses on the impact that this had both on international relations (notably the cold war, Korean War, the Cuban Missile Crisis and the development of concepts like `Mutually Assured Destruction¿) as well as the impact on America internally (the Rosenberg Case, McCarthyism and the rise of public fear). The course looks at how nuclear agreements were attained in the altered environment of the late 1980s and what caused this change, before looking at current controversies regarding America¿s attempts to counter perceived growing nuclear threats in such countries as Iran and North Korea. As an inter-disciplinary course there will be a utilisation of relevant films and media sources which reflect the prevailing attitudes of the time.
-
POL1001
Politics and the People
Democracy is under threat. Many countries in the world are becoming increasingly less democratic, including the United Kingdom and the USA according to international monitoring agencies such as Freedom House. This module looks at the reasons behind democratic retreat as well as analyzing the changes in the relationship between citizens and governments within contemporary liberal democracies. The emphasis will be on investigating political actions including voting, engaging in political activism, interacting with politicians, and ways in which citizens protest. The course contrasts both conventional and unconventional participation to allow an appreciation of the diversity of factors that can be included in an assessment of what constitutes democratic citizen participation. The course considers the fundamental aspects of democracy and looks at the reasons why some states are more `democratic¿ than others, offering a contrast to authoritarian states (who themselves often hold elections). The course will look at ways in which politics could engage more citizens - especially younger citizens - and invites your views and opinions as we seek to address the rising challenges to democratic values.
-
POLM17
Dissertation
Throughout your MA course, you¿ve been developing towards this point ¿ the dissertation. You are emerging scholars with fresh insights and depths of knowledge, and this is the time to put these to work and produce an original contribution to the field that you can be proud of.
Over the late spring and Summer, with the extensive support of a supervisor expert in your area (and building on your existing methodology modules), you¿ll scope out, design, and conduct an independent project of study on a topic of your choosing, pursuing the questions that motivate your interest in the subject. You might be poring over declassified intelligence agency archives looking for evidence of complicity in mass violence, charting the everyday politics of energy and logistics that (quite literally) keeps the lights on, or answering the big questions about where we¿re going in an increasingly precarious twenty-first century ¿ this is a chance for you to truly spread your wings and research what interests you.
Between this extended project, and the accompanying presentation of your findings, this represents the culmination of your studies, building on all the modules you¿ve studied and skills you¿ve gathered. This is a great opportunity to develop detailed knowledge of a particular field, hone competencies that will make you a skilled researcher and policy advocate in the real world, give you skills managing a major research project.
