Short courses

Summary

After the upheaval of the Trump years, President Joe Biden and his team face extraordinary challenges in putting into place their domestic and international policy agenda. From addressing the stacked Supreme court, the invasion of the Capital building, continued denial of electoral legitimacy, changes to abortion rights, additional voting regulations, tension over migration, calls for racial justice in policing, climate change, a more emboldened China and the war in Ukraine, America has rarely been more divided or as challenged, internally and internationally. How will Biden face down the provocations of a MAGA republican party and hold his own increasingly fractured party together? How will federal and state government function? What kind of leader is Biden proving to be on the world stage? 

Join this unique course to gain up-to-the-minute insights into the Biden Presidency and the challenges faced by the United States.  

Whether you are interested in American history or politics, the balance of power in modern democracies, the presidential system of government, or current affairs in general, take this course to see the bigger picture of the dramatic events shaping the world’s largest democracy. 

Over a series of talks our expert tutor will explain: 

• the key current objectives of the Biden Administration 
• the advantages and obstacles facing Biden in the context of contemporary American domestic politics 
• key evidence from these events and historical perspectives and debates 

You will also have the chance to discuss and reflect on what you learn with other students and the tutor in seminars 

Choose this course if you want to learn: 

• More about the political landscape in which President Biden operates, and how this affects his ability to put his stated policies into practice  
• How the federal system, Congress and Senate interact with the white House to produce America’s domestic and international policy