- UCAS course code
- N201
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
BSc Management
- Typical A-level offer: AAA
- Typical contextual A-level offer: ABB
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: BBB
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 36 points overall with 6,6,6 at HL
Fees and funding
Fees
Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £31,500 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.
Additional expenses
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
The Manchester Bursary is available to UK students registered on an undergraduate degree course at Alliance MBS who have had a full financial assessment carried out by Student Finance England.
In addition, Alliance MBS will award a range of Social Responsibility Scholarships to UK and international/EU students.
These awards are worth £2,000 per year across three years of study. You must achieve AAA at A-level (or equivalent qualification) and be able to demonstrate a significant contribution and commitment to social responsibility.
The School will also award a number of International Stellar Scholarships to international students achieving AAA at A-level (or equivalent qualification). Applicants who exceed AAA and/or have supplementary qualifications (such as EPQ) will receive additional consideration.
Additional eligibility criteria apply - please see our scholarship pages for full details.
Course unit details:
American Society and Economy
Unit code | BMAN20610 |
---|---|
Credit rating | 20 |
Unit level | Level 2 |
Teaching period(s) | Full year |
Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
Semester one covers the historical background to US economy and society, featuring issues such as: US political structure; history of the colonies; Civil War and slavery; the Civil Rights movement; gender relations in US; and the development of the modern US corporation. Semester two covers contemporary trends in US economy and society, including discussions of an increasingly partisan and dysfunctional Congress, labour market changes; the rise of inequality and urban poverty; the ‘War on Drugs’, organizational restructuring of the modern corporation; historical and contemporary foreign policy developments; the rise of ‘counter knowledge’, ‘post-truth’ and conspiracy theories; and current debate around ethics in business and ethics in business schools.
Pre/co-requisites
Core for IMABS. Option for Mgt/Mgt Specialism & IM.
Aims
The purpose of this course is twofold: Firstly it aims to introduce students to the historical fundamentals of American society, based on broad historical, cultural, political and economic perspectives. Secondly, the course aims to provide an overview of contemporary trends in US economy and society, taking a similarly broad approach.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students should be able to understand the roots and dimensions of American history, culture, and ‘way of life’, the fundaments of the US political and economic system, and be able to understand and interpret ongoing socio-economic developments. Students should be able to develop a critical and informed position on several important contemporary debates, such as equal opportunities and affirmative action, attempts to tackle poverty, crime and social deprivation, the contours of US foreign policy, the restructuring of US firms and employment, and debates around the ethical and moral value or US business school education.
Expected outcome
The course is designed to provide students with a very detailed overview of the political, economic, social, and organizational foundations of the USA. These details should be helpful for students in terms of building their understanding of the complexity and diversity of this vitally important nation and its arguably dominant role in the ‘global’ economy. In-depth historical and contemporary knowledge of this society should also prepare them well for overseas exchange study in North America (where relevant), and for future study and/or employment. The course should inspire students to continue to follow global debate about the role of US business and government and should help encourage them to become critically- and politically- informed about current events, particularly as they relate to how government and business interact, often in controversial ways (such as corporate lobbying, media framing, and campaign finance).
Syllabus
Semester 1
Course introduction and familiarizing with course aims and learning objectives and how the course studies the US. An outline of course assessment will be given.
The Presidency: Constructing ‘power’, ‘weakness’, ‘success’ and ‘failure’
Further exploration of US history from native Americans, European colonisation, slavery, creation of the USA, US exceptionalism, the civil war through to the emancipation of the slaves.
‘A More Perfect Union?’ The basis of the U.S. Political System- some emphasis on Black Civil rights movement
Whose United States? Independence, Civil War & Emancipation.
Exploring the US political system and its history.
Considering the evolution of the presidency and presidents and their effectiveness.
The American Century in retrospect: What can the military, business and political issues
Economic growth, Depression and the New Deal
The development of the US as a major industrial power and mass industrialism across the second half of 19th and early part of 20th century.
Foundations of the US Business and Health
Including Robber barons + early industrial relations at Ford
‘Pay any Price, Bear any Burden?’: Exploring the Cold War Mentality
The Great Depression and the New Deal
Considering Eleanor Roosevelt as a servant leader.
Economic Growth and Health reform
Civil Rights in America (2): Ethnic minority rights
World War Two and the Cold War
Oppression, civil rights, struggle and liberation
Civil Rights in America (3): The Women’s movement and rights plus LGBT plus rights
Semester 2
Public disaffection with the US political system and the rise of populism
Race and ethnicity in the US: Recent development and controversies
Rethinking business ethics: Can US business be made more ethical?
Contemporary US Foreign Policy: Soft power, hard power and blowback
Review of Doctor Strange love- prep for assessment
Structural shifts in US labour markets - Wealth generation, hourglass economy, good jobs and inequality
Classic and contemporary US management theory
Exploring Troupe and other forms of analysis or American persona- exploring PEST
Teaching and learning methods
Methods of delivery - 2 hour lecture slot which includes one hour lecture followed by a multi-format workshop structure containing discussion questions, workshop tasks, and film viewings.
Total study hours: 200 hours split between lectures, classes, self study and preparation for classes, coursework and examinations.
Informal Contact Methods
1. Office Hours
2. Online Learning Activities (discussion area on blackboard)
3. E-mail contact.
Knowledge and understanding
Initiative:
Analyse key social and economic developments within the context of American society, applying independent research and critical thinking to assess historical and contemporary trends.
Self-awareness:
Reflect critically on personal perspectives and biases in relation to American social and economic structures, recognising their impact on interpretations of historical and contemporary issues.
Independence:
Develop independent analytical perspectives on American social and economic issues, using research and critical reasoning to form well-supported arguments.
Ethical Appreciation:
Assess the ethical implications of social and economic policies in the context of American society, considering their impact on diverse communities and historical justice.
Intellectual skills
Critical thinking:
Critically analyse key social and economic structures within American society, evaluating their historical development and contemporary impact through evidence-based reasoning.
Problem Solving:
Apply analytical and research skills to address social and economic challenges in American society, proposing evidence-based solutions grounded in historical and contemporary contexts.
Critical reflection and evaluation:
Evaluate social and economic theories in the context of American society, reflecting on their implications through historical and contemporary perspectives.
Practical skills
Planning and executing independent research:
Plan and execute independent research on social and economic policies in American society
Using reporting skills:
Communicate social and economic analyses effectively using appropriate reporting skills.
Transferable skills and personal qualities
Information retrieval:
Retrieve and analyse relevant social and economic data from credible sources, applying them to discussions on historical and contemporary American society.
Literacy:
Interpret and analyse texts, data, and policies relevant to American society, demonstrating literacy in social and economic concepts.
Research:
Conduct independent research on social and economic issues in American society, using appropriate methodologies and credible sources to support analysis.
Applying Subject Knowledge:
Apply subject-specific knowledge to analyse social and economic structures, evaluating their development and impact within American society.
Assessment methods
40% Song Analysis
60% Film Analysis
Feedback methods
Generic feedback will be given on second semester exam performance. Detailed individual feedback on the first semester essays will be given to each student. Informal feedback about contribution in class will be ongoing, and informal feedback will also briefly be provided after each group presentation in the seminars.
Students can arrange individual meetings with Dr Benson if they wish to further discuss any element of the course, including feedback.
Recommended reading
Core Text: Foner, E. (2020) Give me Liberty! New York, 6th edition: WW Norton.
Foner is excellent but expensive, however there are several copies in the library.
Supplementary texts including general textbooks
The texts below are handy to consult on a general basis throughout the course. This short list below ranges in chronological order from historical to contemporary periods of US history. There are several copies in the library, but it may also be a good idea to purchase one or two of these if possible. There are lots of 2nd hand copies available through Amazon or similar websites.
Rosenblum and Brinkley is an excellent reference guide. Breidlid is a unique anthology of famous writings, and is similarly useful for reference. Zinn is great for a critical/ radical edge on these debates. The PBS digital series Crash Course (US History and US Government and Politics) are also quite helpful as basic resources and are freely available on the internet for viewing.
Zinn, H., (2005) A People’s History of the United States: 1492-Present, New York: Harper Perennial
Brogan, H., (2001) The Penguin History of the United States, London: Penguin
[prior editions are The Longman History of the United States, 1985, 1999]
Rosenbaum, R.A., and Brinkley, D., eds., (2003) The Penguin Encyclopaedia of American History, London: Penguin
Breidlid, A, et al, eds,(2008) American Culture: An Anthology of Civilization Texts, 2ND edition, London: Routledge
Mauk, D., and Oakland, J., (2014) American Civilization: An Introduction, 6th Edition ,Abingdon: Routledge
Hodgson, G, (2005) America in Our Time, from World War II to Nixon, New York: Vintage
Hodgson, G, (2004) More Equal than Others: America from Nixon to the New Century, Princeton University Press
Sitkoff, H., ed, (2001) Perspectives on Modern America, Oxford: Oxford University Press
Langran R and Schnitzer M, (2007) Government, Business and the American Economy, 2nd edition,Prentice Hall, New Jersey.
Singh, R., (2003) Governing America: The Politics of a Divided Democracy, Oxford: Oxford University Press
Perrucci, R., and Perrucci, C.C., (2009) America at Risk: The Collapse of Hope, Trust, and Caring, London: Rowman and Littlefield
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
---|---|
Assessment written exam | 2 |
Lectures | 22 |
Seminars | 22 |
Independent study hours | |
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Independent study | 154 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
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Anita Greenhill | Unit coordinator |
Additional notes
Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: None
Dependent courses: N/A
Programme Restrictions: core for IMABS. Option for IM and Management.
For Academic Year 2025/26
Updated: March 2025
Approved by: March UG Committee