AIP208 - Government and Politics of the United States
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 1: Zim Nwokora |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 1-hour on-campus lecture per week 1 x 1-hour on-campus seminar per week |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 1-hour online lecture per week (recordings provided) 1 x 1-hour online seminar per week |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Content
This unit aims to provide a rigorous introduction to the government and politics of the United States. Students will be introduced to influential political theories that explain how institutions such as Congress and the presidency work, and why policy-making in America is complex and often challenging. Historical material will be studied to explore change and continuity in American institutions, from independence to the controversies of the Donald Trump presidency and beyond. Students will read media commentary to understand such topics as the politics of gun control and election campaign strategies, but they will also be encouraged to think critically about this commentary, drawing on their theoretical and historical knowledge. The course will be structured around key political institutions and policy areas as it considers the turbulent struggles for power in American politics. Students will gain a rich understanding of American democracy and the challenges it faces in the twenty-first century.
Learning Outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Review and analyse major theoretical, conceptual, and policy debates about the American political system | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Effectively communicate the findings and analyses of research on American politics, while deploying political concepts, theories and technical knowledge in different written formats | GLO2: Communication |
| ULO3 | Analyse and critically evaluate different interpretations of American politics | GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO4 | Generate and evaluate solutions to complex problems of about American government and politics | GLO5: Problem solving |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Report | 1500 words or equivalent | 40% | Week 6 |
| Assessment 2: Essay | 2500 words or equivalent | 60% | Week 11 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for AIP208 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.