Last modified: 20 Jun 2025 15:06
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.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | First Term | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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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.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Feedback on essay and report will be provided in a timely fashion, in line with the university's guidelines |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Feedback on essay and report will be provided in a timely fashion, in line with the university's guidelines |
Word Count | 3000 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 18,19 | Feedback Weeks | 21 | |
| 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). |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Critically analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the electoral college through an email exchange between students at Aberdeen and Drexel. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Create | Explain 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. |
| Conceptual | Analyse | Critically analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the electoral college through an email exchange between students at Aberdeen and Drexel. |
| Conceptual | Analyse | Reflect upon developments in American politics in the 21st century in an essay completed to a high standard. |
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