America: decay of the liberal dream?
Ray Nichols
8 points
* 3 hours per week
* Second semester
* Clayton
Objectives On successful completion of this subject students should have an understanding of contemporary America; have an understanding of the nature and interplay of political action and ideas in America; have a sense, through the American case, of the practical interpretation of culture.
Synopsis This subject is about ideas and action in contemporary America. It 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, and black revolt; (2) counter-culture, technoculture, `personal politics'; (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 cultures. Major themes are (a) culture and politics - ideas and action, meaning and power; (b) political action - innovation, participation, movements, violence; (c) political ideology - `Americanism' liberalisms, radicalism, reaction. America and late modernity - ascendancy, crisis, and the decline of the public.
Assessment second year Essay (3000 words): 50%
* Examination (3
hours, 3 questions): 50%
Assessment third year Essay (3000 words): 50%
* Examination (3
hours, 3 questions): 50%
* Third-year students are expected to show greater
breadth and depth of reading and more conceptual grasp of the subject.
Recommended texts
Arblaster A The rise and decline of Western liberalism Blackwell
Dionn E J Why Americans hate politics Touchstone
Evans S Personal politics: The origins of feminism in the civil rights movement and the new left Random House/Vintage
Haley A (ed.) The autobiography of Malcolm X Ballantine
Lasch C The true and only heaven: Progress and its critics Norton
Miller J Democracy is in the streets Simon and Schuster
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