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PI3080: US POLITICS (2024-2025)

Last modified: 23 Jul 2024 11:00


Course Overview

Arguably the world’s only superpower, and a cultural behemoth, what happens in the US influences and interests the world.  This course takes an in-depth look at the institutions, the actors and the issues that make American politics a fascinating subject for observers the world over.

This course is co-taught by Professor Richardson Dilworth at Drexel University and contains elements of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), combining live in-person and interactive online lectures and trans-continental group-work.




Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Term First Term Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Malcolm Edward Harvey

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

  • One of Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4 or Programme Level 5
  • Any Undergraduate Programme
  • Either International Relations (IR) or Politics (PI)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

Yes

One or more of these courses have a limited number of places. Priority access will be given to students for whom this course is compulsory. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for more details on this process.


Course Description

Arguably the world’s only superpower, and a cultural behemoth, what happens in the US influences and interests the world.  This course takes an in-depth look at the institutions, the actors and the issues that make American politics a fascinating subject for observers the world over.

This course is co-taught by Professor Richardson Dilworth at Drexel University and contains elements of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), combining live in-person and interactive online lectures and trans-continental group-work.


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

Group Briefing Document

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

Feedback on essay and report will be provided in a timely fashion, in line with the university's guidelines

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

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 50
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

Feedback on essay and report will be provided in a timely fashion, in line with the university's guidelines

Word Count 3000
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

E-mail Exchange

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks 18,19 Feedback Weeks 21

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Feedback

Email exchange: students from Drexel will write 500 words defending the US electoral system; Aberdeen students will then critique that email in 500 words. Aberdeen students are only assessed on their portion of the exercise (worth 20% overall).

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseCritically analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the electoral college through an email exchange between students at Aberdeen and Drexel.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualCreateExplain the roles of the different branches of government in the United States by preparing a briefing document at a level suitable for presenting to government officials.
ConceptualAnalyseCritically analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the electoral college through an email exchange between students at Aberdeen and Drexel.
ConceptualAnalyseReflect upon developments in American politics in the 21st century in an essay completed to a high standard.

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