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HI355U: MAKING TRUMP: POPULISM AND CONSERVATISM IN US HISTORY (2021-2022)

Last modified: 31 May 2022 13:05


Course Overview

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.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Term Second Term Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr George Francis-Kelly

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Undergraduate Programme
  • Either Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

  • HI305U Making Trump: Populism and Conservatism in us History (Studied)

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

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.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Blog Posts

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 40
Assessment Weeks 33 Feedback Weeks 35

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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.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseDraw comparisons, similarities, and differences between a broad range of popular political movements throughout US history.
ConceptualEvaluateUnderstand and evaluate historiographical approaches to the political history of America and their significance.
ConceptualUnderstandDevelop understanding of contested political ideologies, such as ‘populism’ or ‘conservatism’ and the debates surrounding them.
ReflectionApplyUse effective writing skills to communicate complex historical and theoretical ideas in a clear and engaging way.

Exam

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 60
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

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.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseDraw comparisons, similarities, and differences between a broad range of popular political movements throughout US history.
ConceptualEvaluateUnderstand and evaluate historiographical approaches to the political history of America and their significance.
ConceptualUnderstandDevelop understanding of contested political ideologies, such as ‘populism’ or ‘conservatism’ and the debates surrounding them.
ReflectionApplyUse effective writing skills to communicate complex historical and theoretical ideas in a clear and engaging way.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Exam

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 60
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Blog Posts

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 40
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandDevelop understanding of contested political ideologies, such as ‘populism’ or ‘conservatism’ and the debates surrounding them.
ConceptualAnalyseDraw comparisons, similarities, and differences between a broad range of popular political movements throughout US history.
ConceptualEvaluateUnderstand and evaluate historiographical approaches to the political history of America and their significance.
ReflectionApplyUse effective writing skills to communicate complex historical and theoretical ideas in a clear and engaging way.

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