166-214 US Scandals from Watergate

Usually a first-year politics subject.

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 Lewinsky 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.

• be able to research through the competent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays;

• be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations;

• be able to communicate knowledge ideologically and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion;

• be able to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision;

• be able to participate in team work through small group discussions.

An in-class test 25% (due 19 July), and a 2500 word essay 75% (due in examination period).

A subject reader will be available.