American studies
American Political Culture
Module code: T7059EB
Level 4
15 credits in spring semester
Teaching method: Lecture
Assessment modes: Coursework
American political culture is rooted in a shared set of ideals, including:
- liberty
- equality
- social justice
- democracy
- individualism.
These are not always realised in practice, and this module will allow you to explore how electoral politics and the democratic process have been promoted and challenged in American culture.
Drawing on a wide range of American Studies methodologies and theories, and taking a cultural-historical approach, you’ll focus on the subjective side of American politics, examining debates around:
- memory
- militarism
- race
- gender
- religion
- nativism
- populism
- identity.
You’ll look at how they have been expressed in beliefs, attitudes and cultural practice from the 1750s to the age of Trump.
Module learning outcomes
- Identify the key cultural forms through which US politics has been debated and represented.
- Critically apply knowledge and understanding of the ‘political culture’ of the United States.
- Analyse and critically evaluate representations of American politics in a variety of cultural forms (film, autobiography, song, fiction, drama).
- Identify and research a key issue or question relating to the culture of US politics.