• 1. Content:
• Describe, analyze and discuss basic political, economic and social affairs – systems, structures and mindsets - in the United States and the UK against the backdrop of the literature reviewed and the particular foci developed throughout the course.
• Identify political, economic, and social issues of current importance in the US and the UK and analyze those against a contemporary historical development.
• 2. Language:
• Use correct oral and written English, including specialist vocabulary and concepts consistent with the topics dealt with in lectures and seminars.
• Present and discuss the topics and issues taught in a coherent, well-structured, academic English.
• Write English at a level which conform to generally accepted principles of academic composition, including consciousness of style and genre specific requirements (C1 level).

The course will give the students a chance to work with different types of texts relating to both the US and the UK within the fields of the state, civil society and the market. This implies looking at a number of issues that are of current interest in the two countries.

With respect to the UK, special emphasis will be given to the post war period’s Keynesian welfare state model’s transformation into a neoliberal model, and the ongoing discussions of how to modernize Britain’s systems of governance. This includes a critical look at the results and consequences of the financial and economic crisis in 2007/08 and its effects on discussions of ‘varieties of capitalism’. Another major theme is the ongoing discussion of multiculturalism in the UK. Finally, emphasis is placed on discussions of the nation state and British national identities, national culture and values, regionalism and subsidiarity vis-à-vis the European Union.

With respect to the US, the country’s size and federal construction provides the possibility of looking at how various cultures and subcultures encounter each other and interact. This will be looked at in relation to the political system and its different components: federal and local government, interest groups, and the media. In addition, the course will include a focus on the increasing polarization of US society in general and the increasing partisanship that characterizes the US political environment.

Language competence

As an integrated part of the course, there will be a focus on enhancing students’ oral and writing skills. Students will be expected to make one or more presentations in class, participate in class discussions and to submit two voluntary essays. Students are expected to achieve a language competence level which conforms to the requirements laid down in the Common European Framework for Languages (the Language Portfolio) at a minimum level C1.

Heffernan, Richard et al (2016) Developments in British Politics, Palgrave.

Russell Duncan and Joseph Goddard (2018) Contemporary United States, Palgrave.

Ole Helmersen (2018): Compendium: British and American Studies 1.

Hogue, Ann (2003) The Essentials of English: A Writer's Handbook. Longman.