America: decay of the liberal dream?
R L Nichols
8 points * 3 hours per week * Second semester * Clayton
This subject is about ideas and action in contemporary America. It explores America as a problematical presence, and as a key case for cultural interpretation and ideology critique. It begins with an overview of American politics and culture. It then focuses on four related developments which have challenged the American `liberal dream': (1) racism, poverty, and black revolt; (2) counter-culture, technoculture, women and `nature'; (3) Watergate, Iran-Contra, and presidential power; (4) the resurgence of the Right and the problem of `Right/Left'. It concludes by suggesting implications of the American case for other late modern cultures. Major themes are: culture and politics - ideas and action, meaning and power; political action - movements, participation, violence; political ideas - ideology, rights, democracy, `Americanism'; America and late modernity - ascendancy, crisis, and uncertainty. Readings include actors' views, official reports, sociological studies and theoretical suggestions; considerable material will be made available in hand-out form.
Assessment
Written (3000 words): 50% * Examinations (3 hours): 50%
Recommended texts
Arblaster A The rise and decline of Western liberalism Blackwell
Geuss R The idea of a critical theory CUP
Haley A (ed.) The autobiography of Malcolm X Ballantine
Miller J Democracy is in the streets Simon and Schuster