166-214 US Scandals from Watergate to Whitewater

Formerly available as 166-100. Students who have completed 166-100 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Usually 25 points of first-year politics or admission to the Bachelor of Public Policy and Management, see Entry requirements.

The subject examines recent events in the United States to consider issues such as campaign fraud, the misuse of funds, the peddling of influence and sexual harassment. Examples for discussion may include Watergate, the Savings and Loans scandal, the Iran Contra affair, the Clarence Thomas Confirmation, the Lewinski affair and the Whitewater investigation. We will ask how misconduct by government officials should be investigated and whether and to what extent the variety of regulations and codes dedicated to improving ethics that were introduced by Congress have proved effective. On completion of this subject students will be aware of recent ethical scandals in the United States and have knowledge about how they have been dealt with; gain skills that will be relevant in policy making in the ethics area; and understand various techniques for regulating ethics in government.

Written work totalling 4000 words.