Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Synopsis This subject has three objectives: to illuminate the nature of ideas and action in contemporary America; to illuminate the nature of America as a controversial modern presence and to give a sense, through the American case, of the interpretion of culture and the critique of ideology. The subject begins with an overview of American politics and culture. It then focuses on four developments which have progressively challenged the American `liberal dream: (1) poverty, racism, black revolt, and `multiculturalism'; (2) counter-culture, technoculture, `personal politics' 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, ideology, and politics - ideas and action, meaning and power. Political action - movements, mobilisation, participation, violence. Political ideas - liberalisms, conservatisms, radicalisms, `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 as hand-outs in the subject Reader.
Assessment Written (3000 words): 50% + Examinations (3 hours): 50%