Last modified: 31 May 2022 13:05
Donald Trump’s election to the Presidency in 2016 surprised many analysts, and appeared to symbolise a watershed moment in American politics. Yet how far did Trump’s brand of anti-establishment libertarianism and xenophobia actually represent something ‘new’ in US politics, and can we identify the historical roots of Trumpism? This module will explore these questions by examining political culture throughout modern American history.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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Throughout this module, you will explore the ideological and political history of modern America. We will use a range of political ideologies and movements, such as populism, conservatism, white supremacy, conspiracy theories, and fascism, to help us historicise the electoral success of Donald Trump. We will use a range of historical works which attempt to explain political phenomena through analysis of gender, class, race, and nationality, in addition to considering primary sources placing political leaders in their own words.
This module will provide both a chronological overview of political movements and leaders in American history, i.e. The Populist Party or George Wallace, as well as a conceptual understanding of the ideologies and identities underpinning them, such as the lasting impact of Populism and the emergence of the New Right. By the end of this course, you will have a strong knowledge of the constantly changing ideological currents that determine political culture in America. Moreover, you may be able to consider quite how the US ended up electing Trump, and what this tells us about America both past and present.
You will be assessed through an annotated bibliography, two ‘academic’ blog posts (information and examples to be provided), and an exam at the end of the course.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 33 | Feedback Weeks | 35 | |
| Feedback |
Students will produce 2 x 800 word blog posts, submitted at the same time. Examples and relevant support will be provided. Blogs will receive one overall mark. Feedback will be provided through standard feedback form delivered by e-mail and available on MyAberdeen, as well as one-to-one feedback sessions. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Draw comparisons, similarities, and differences between a broad range of popular political movements throughout US history. |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Understand and evaluate historiographical approaches to the political history of America and their significance. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Develop understanding of contested political ideologies, such as ‘populism’ or ‘conservatism’ and the debates surrounding them. |
| Reflection | Apply | Use effective writing skills to communicate complex historical and theoretical ideas in a clear and engaging way. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 60 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Students will complete a three-hour exam comprising of 12 questions, of which students will answer three from material throughout the course. Collective feedback will be provided to the class. Individual feedback will be provided on request. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Draw comparisons, similarities, and differences between a broad range of popular political movements throughout US history. |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Understand and evaluate historiographical approaches to the political history of America and their significance. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Develop understanding of contested political ideologies, such as ‘populism’ or ‘conservatism’ and the debates surrounding them. |
| Reflection | Apply | Use effective writing skills to communicate complex historical and theoretical ideas in a clear and engaging way. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 60 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
|
||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | Develop understanding of contested political ideologies, such as ‘populism’ or ‘conservatism’ and the debates surrounding them. |
| Conceptual | Analyse | Draw comparisons, similarities, and differences between a broad range of popular political movements throughout US history. |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Understand and evaluate historiographical approaches to the political history of America and their significance. |
| Reflection | Apply | Use effective writing skills to communicate complex historical and theoretical ideas in a clear and engaging way. |
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