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Titel
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American Democracy
Building on our knowledge of American values, ideals, and fault lines, we explore the political system and the election in more detail with a focus on democracy, voting rights, and democratic principles, as well as the role of the US as a democratic role model, at least until Jan. 6, 2021. In terms of political communication, we examine key target voter groups, the gender gap, and the messaging of the two campaigns.
The political system, the political parties, the electoral system, campaigning and the role of the media, campaign finance, faultlines and polarization. American national identity and understanding of itself as a nation, including core ideas such as individual freedom, self-reliance, hard work, The American Dream, etc.
The elections for Congress, the Presidency and State elections, how elections work, electoral votes and the composition of congress. Central ideas about the American nation; checks and balances, how legislation works, the role of the media, lobbying, religion, and federalism.
Political communication, political fault lines and divisions, states and federalism, race and social class. Production and analysis of political campaign videos + SRO on social inequality in the US.
3a texts:
• KK: lecture and test covering ideals, values, the founding of America and the American Revolution, ideologies, the parties, the political system today, the role of the Supreme Court, culture wars, voting rights, challenges to democracy.
• Lotte Genefke, et al: “How The System Works” (from “Election Year”, textbook, 2024)
• Vox: “The Electoral College Explained” (video)
• USA Today: “Gerrymandering Explained” (video)
• Lotte Genefke, et al: “Democracy Under Pressure” (from “Election Year”, textbook, 2024)
• Harris vs. Trump: “Presidential Debate: On Jan. 6 and the Peaceful Transfer of Power” (video, clip from debate, September 2024)
• MSNBC: “The Day As It Happened” (video, on the anniversary of Jan 6, 2022)
• Kamala Harris: “Acceptance Speech at the DNC” (speech, 2024)
• Donald Trump: “Announcement Speech” (short excerpt from speech, 2015)
• Amanda Gorman: “The Hill We Climb” (poem, 2021)
• ”The Declaration of Independence”, the Constitution + central amendments
• Abraham Lincoln: “The Gettysburg Address” (speech, 1863)
• Joe Biden: “West Point Commencement Address” (excerpt from speech, 2024)
• Marjorie Greene: “Save America, Stop Socialism” (video, 2022)
• Kid Rock: “We the People” (song/lyrics, video, 2022)
• Linda Paulson: “Utah Senate Rap” (video, 2022)
• Ammon Bundy: “Woke Cult” (video, 2022)
• Kiara Alfonseca: "Culture wars: How identity became the center of politics in America" (article, ABC, 2023)
• Mark Moore: “Traditional values like patriotism, religion and community have plunged dramatically among Americans: poll” (NY Post, article, 2023)
• Bernard Goldberg: “If America is so bad, why do so many people want to come here?” (commentary, 2021) - written assignment
• Barack Obama: "The American Promise" (short excerpt from speech, 2008)
• Jason Aldean: “Try That (In a Small Town” (song/lyrics, video, 2023) + social media posts
• Lyndsay Rush: “A Republican in Sheep’s Clothing” (poem, 2024)
3d texts:
Maryanne Kearny Datesman: “The American ways: an introduction to American culture” (textbook, 2005) pp. 28-34, 54-55, 73-78
Mette Holm: "Presidential Elections" (from ”Being American”, textbook)
Lotte Genefke et. al.: "The Impact of Trump’s rhetoric" (in "Election Year", textbook, 2024)
Ron Elving: "Reps or Dems: Competing Myths" (article, NPR, 2024)
PBS NewsHour: "America at a Crossroads" (video, 2024)
60 Minutes: "Social media and political polarization in America" (video, 2022)
Donald Trump: “Speech at the Jan 6 Ellipse Rally / Stop the Steal” (speech, 2021)
Kamala Harris: “Acceptance Speech at the Democratic National Convention” (speech, 2024)
Cadillac: “Poolside” (video ad)
General Motors: “Will Ferrell Super Bowl Ad (video ad, 2021)
Budweiser: “Born the Hard Way” (video ad)
Budweiser: “Old School Delivery” (video ad, 2024)
Coca-Cola: “#AmericaIsBeautiful” (2014 Olympics)
3e texts:
Anders Daugaard: ”Introductory questions on right and left” ("Angles", textbook, p. 275-279)
"The US History Quiz": “Worlds of English”: p 98-99
Mette Holm: “Election system….” (from “Being American”, textbook, 2020 p. 38-58)
Emma Lazarus: “The New Colossus” (poem, 1883)
“The Declaration of Independence” (text, 1776 + painting)
3f texts:
Lotte Genefke, et al: “How The System Works” (from “Election Year”, textbook, 2024)
Maryanne Kearny Datesman: “The American ways: an introduction to American culture” (textbook, 2005) pp. 28-34, 54-55, 73-78
Jorunn Bentzen et al.:“The American People” and “Understanding Americans” (from “Targets”, textbook, 2001)
Harris, Kamala: “Harris accepts the nomination for President of the United States” (video and speech, 2024)
Joe Biden “Options” (video, 2024)
Joe Biden 'Willow's Box' Ad” (video, 2024)
Pro-Trump: ”Painfull” (video, 2024)
Donald Trump: “Border Czar” (video, 2024)
Donald Trump 'Chaotic Mess” (video, 2024)
Alexander Stockton, “If You Think Biden and Harris Were Weak on the Border, Think Again” (video, NYT 2024)
General Knowledge: “The 11 Nations Inside The USA” (video)
Oliver Anthony: “Rich Men North Of Richmond” (song, 2023)
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