This class introduces students to innovative as well as classic approaches to studying U.S. government. The writing assignments will help you explore, through a variety of lenses, statis and change in the American political system over the last three decades. In the end each student will have a solid grounding in our national political institutions and processes, sharper reading and writing skills, and insight into approaching politics critically and analytically.

This course examines Israeli identity using a broad array of materials, including popular music, film, documentaries, and art, in addition to academic historical writings. Topics include Israel’s political system and society, ethnic relations, settlement projects, and the Arab minorities in the Jewish state. Students also discuss whether there is a unique Israeli culture and the struggle for Israel’s identity.
Preference is given to students in the MISTI MIT-Israel program.

Explore the complex identity of Sammy Davis, Jr. and its impact on his career as a performer in this video from American Masters, Sammy Davis, Jr.: I've Gotta Be Me. As a black man in a predominantly white industry, Sammy struggled to be accepted by both groups. This resource explores how Sammy persevered in a society where race and culture posed many challenges. Support materials include discussion questions, vocabulary, and an identity map activity where students analyze the many factors that shape who we are as individuals and as members of different communities.

This course explores Japan’s role in world orders, past, present, and future. It focuses on Japanese conceptions of security; rearmament debates; the relationship of domestic politics to foreign policy; the impact of Japanese technological and economic transformation at home and abroad; alternative trade and security regimes; Japan’s response to 9/11; and relations with Asian neighbors, Russia, and the alliance with the United States.

On 11 December 2009, Nottingham University's Centre for British Politics held a conference at the British Academy that drew together politicians, writers and academics to explore the interaction of British politics and fiction.

In addition to the conference several video interviews were conducted with some of the speakers on the day.

In this interview taken at the Fiction and British Politics Conference in London, MP and author Chris Mullin talks about his own political fiction and explains why the line between political reality and fiction is much thinner than you'd think.

Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education

Chris Mullen, Former MP, Author and Journalist

Chris Mullen was a Member of Parliament for Sunderland South between 1987-2010. His books include political diaries "A View from the Foothills" and novels such as the classic political thriller "A Very British Coup" and "Error of Judgement - the truth about the Birmingham Bombings" both of which were adapted for TV.

The Centre for British Politics is based in the University's School of Politics and International Relations. www.nottingham.ac.uk/politics/cbp

On 11 December 2009, Nottingham University's Centre for British Politics held a conference at the British Academy that drew together politicians, writers and academics to explore the interaction of British politics and fiction.

In addition to the conference several video interviews were conducted with some of the speakers on the day.

In this interview taken at the Fiction and British Politics Conference in London, MP and author Chris Mullin talks about his own political fiction and explains why the line between political reality and fiction is much thinner than you'd think.

Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education

Chris Mullen, Former MP, Author and Journalist

Chris Mullen was a Member of Parliament for Sunderland South between 1987-2010. His books include political diaries "A View from the Foothills" and novels such as the classic political thriller "A Very British Coup" and "Error of Judgement - the truth about the Birmingham Bombings" both of which were adapted for TV.

The Centre for British Politics is based in the University's School of Politics and International Relations. www.nottingham.ac.uk/politics/cbp

On 11 December 2009, Nottingham University's Centre for British Politics held a conference at the British Academy that drew together politicians, writers and academics to explore the interaction of British politics and fiction.

In addition to the conference several video interviews were conducted with some of the speakers on the day.

In this interview taken at the Fiction and British Politics Conference in London, playwright James Graham (Toryboyz, Little Madam, Sons of York) talks about his approach to political fiction and what inspires him.

Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education

James Graham, Political Playwright

James Graham writes for theatre, radio, film and television. He won the Catherine Johnson Award for the Best Play 2007 for his play Eden's Empire and was awarded the Pearson Playwriting Bursary in 2006. He is Writer in Residence at the Finborough Theatre and a member of the Royal Court/BBC 50 scheme.

James's play Tory Boyz for the National Youth Theatre caused a storm during its run at the
Soho Theatre for its portrayal of young, gay men in the modern Conservative Party and
received excellent reviews. His first film for television, Caught in a Trap, was broadcast on ITV1 on Boxing Day 2008 and was picked as one of the Broadcast Magazine Hotshots in the same year. He is under commission from a number of TV companies and his play The Whiskey Taster premieres at the Bush Theatre in early 2010.

The Centre for British Politics is based in the University's School of Politics and International Relations. www.nottingham.ac.uk/politics/cbp

On 11 December 2009, Nottingham University's Centre for British Politics held a conference at the British Academy that drew together politicians, writers and academics to explore the interaction of British politics and fiction.

In addition to the conference several video interviews were conducted with some of the speakers on the day.

In this interview taken at the Fiction and British Politics Conference in London, playwright James Graham (Toryboyz, Little Madam, Sons of York) talks about his approach to political fiction and what inspires him.

Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education

James Graham, Political Playwright

James Graham writes for theatre, radio, film and television. He won the Catherine Johnson Award for the Best Play 2007 for his play Eden's Empire and was awarded the Pearson Playwriting Bursary in 2006. He is Writer in Residence at the Finborough Theatre and a member of the Royal Court/BBC 50 scheme.

James's play Tory Boyz for the National Youth Theatre caused a storm during its run at the
Soho Theatre for its portrayal of young, gay men in the modern Conservative Party and
received excellent reviews. His first film for television, Caught in a Trap, was broadcast on ITV1 on Boxing Day 2008 and was picked as one of the Broadcast Magazine Hotshots in the same year. He is under commission from a number of TV companies and his play The Whiskey Taster premieres at the Bush Theatre in early 2010.

The Centre for British Politics is based in the University's School of Politics and International Relations. www.nottingham.ac.uk/politics/cbp

On 11 December 2009, Nottingham University's Centre for British Politics held a conference at the British Academy that drew together politicians, writers and academics to explore the interaction of British politics and fiction.

In addition to the conference several video interviews were conducted with some of the speakers on the day.

In this interview taken at the Fiction and British Politics Conference in London, former MP and writer Joe Ashton reveals how much truth there is in his writing and explains why politicians often turn to writing fiction in order to spill the beans on what goes on behind closed doors.

Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education

Joe Ashton, Former MP and Author (Grassroots, Majority of One)

The Centre for British Politics is based in the University's School of Politics and International Relations. www.nottingham.ac.uk/politics/cbp

On 11 December 2009, Nottingham University's Centre for British Politics held a conference at the British Academy that drew together politicians, writers and academics to explore the interaction of British politics and fiction.

In addition to the conference several video interviews were conducted with some of the speakers on the day.

In this interview taken at the Fiction and British Politics Conference in London, former MP and writer Joe Ashton reveals how much truth there is in his writing and explains why politicians often turn to writing fiction in order to spill the beans on what goes on behind closed doors.

Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education

Joe Ashton, Former MP and Author (Grassroots, Majority of One)

The Centre for British Politics is based in the University's School of Politics and International Relations. www.nottingham.ac.uk/politics/cbp

On 11 December 2009, Nottingham University's Centre for British Politics held a conference at the British Academy that drew together politicians, writers and academics to explore the interaction of British politics and fiction.

In addition to the conference several video interviews were conducted with some of the speakers on the day.

In this interview taken at the Fiction and British Politics Conference in London, writer Laurence Marks discusses his political screenwriting with Maurice Gran, and in particular, The New Statesman character Alan B'Stard and reveals how far from the truth this notorious screen character is compared to those in power.

Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education

Laurence Marks, Script Writer.

Laurence Marks is one half of writing duo Marks & Gran with whom he co-wrote the popular sitcoms, The New Statesman, Birds of a Feather and Goodnight Sweetheart. He also wrote Shine on Harvey moon and Mosley.

The Centre for British Politics is based in the University's School of Politics and International Relations. www.nottingham.ac.uk/politics/cbp

On 11 December 2009, Nottingham University's Centre for British Politics held a conference at the British Academy that drew together politicians, writers and academics to explore the interaction of British politics and fiction.

In addition to the conference several video interviews were conducted with some of the speakers on the day.

In this interview taken at the Fiction and British Politics Conference in London, writer Laurence Marks discusses his political screenwriting with Maurice Gran, and in particular, The New Statesman character Alan B'Stard and reveals how far from the truth this notorious screen character is compared to those in power.

Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education

Laurence Marks, Script Writer.

Laurence Marks is one half of writing duo Marks & Gran with whom he co-wrote the popular sitcoms, The New Statesman, Birds of a Feather and Goodnight Sweetheart. He also wrote Shine on Harvey moon and Mosley.

The Centre for British Politics is based in the University's School of Politics and International Relations. www.nottingham.ac.uk/politics/cbp

On 11 December 2009, Nottingham University's Centre for British Politics held a conference at the British Academy that drew together politicians, writers and academics to explore the interaction of British politics and fiction.

In addition to the conference several video interviews were conducted with some of the speakers on the day.

In this interview taken at the Fiction and British Politics Conference in London, Research Fellow - Matthew Bailey - answers a question posed by Hazel Blears. Could a West Wing-styled drama improve the standing of British politicians?

Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education

Dr Matthew Bailey, Research Fellow, The Centre for British Politics, The University of Nottingham

Dr Matthew Bailey has published work on a variety of topics regarding British politics, in particular the Conservative Party and Margaret Thatcher’s election as party leader. Between 2005 and 2008 Matthew has also been working on the frontline of British politics – managing the constituency office of one of Hull’s MPs. With that experience behind him he has become poacher turned gamekeeper, assessing the representation of our political masters across a variety of fictional forms.

Recent papers on this subject include: ‘Sympathy for the Devil: must fictional portraits of politicians be so negative?’ (delivered at the 2007 Political Studies Association Conference) and ‘Stranded on the middle ground: reflections on consensus in post-war political film and fiction’ (presented to the 2009 PSA Conference).

The Centre for British Politics is based in the University's School of Politics and International Relations. www.nottingham.ac.uk/politics/cbp

On 11 December 2009, Nottingham University's Centre for British Politics held a conference at the British Academy that drew together politicians, writers and academics to explore the interaction of British politics and fiction.

In addition to the conference several video interviews were conducted with some of the speakers on the day.

In this interview taken at the Fiction and British Politics Conference in London, academic and director of the Centre for British Politics, Professor Steven Fielding, talks about the fascination with politics by writers and filmmakers.

Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education

Professor Steven Fielding, School of Politics and International Relations

Professor Steven Fielding is Professor of Political History and Director of the Centre for British Politics: CBP at The University of Nottingham and is an expert on The Labour Party. He is currently working on a commissioned documentary for BBC Radio 4 on the media portrayal of the Labour Party under Tony Blair.

Professor Fielding is particularly focused on the fraught relationship between politicians and the society they represent in Parliament. He is also researching the fictional representation of politics in Britain and the US, focusing in part on novels, film and television from Anthony Trollope to ’The West Wing’ and ’The Thick Of It’.

The Centre for British Politics is based in the University's School of Politics and International Relations. www.nottingham.ac.uk/politics/cbp

On 11 December 2009, Nottingham University's Centre for British Politics held a conference at the British Academy that drew together politicians, writers and academics to explore the interaction of British politics and fiction.

In addition to the conference several video interviews were conducted with some of the speakers on the day.

In this interview taken at the Fiction and British Politics Conference in London, academic and director of the Centre for British Politics, Professor Steven Fielding, talks about the fascination with politics by writers and filmmakers.

Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education

Professor Steven Fielding, School of Politics and International Relations

Professor Steven Fielding is Professor of Political History and Director of the Centre for British Politics: CBP at The University of Nottingham and is an expert on The Labour Party. He is currently working on a commissioned documentary for BBC Radio 4 on the media portrayal of the Labour Party under Tony Blair.

Professor Fielding is particularly focused on the fraught relationship between politicians and the society they represent in Parliament. He is also researching the fictional representation of politics in Britain and the US, focusing in part on novels, film and television from Anthony Trollope to ’The West Wing’ and ’The Thick Of It’.

The Centre for British Politics is based in the University's School of Politics and International Relations. www.nottingham.ac.uk/politics/cbp

On 11 December 2009, Nottingham University's Centre for British Politics held a conference at the British Academy that drew together politicians, writers and academics to explore the interaction of British politics and fiction.

In addition to the conference several video interviews were conducted with some of the speakers on the day.

In this interview taken at the Fiction and British Politics Conference in London, screenwriter Tony Saint talks about an upcoming BBC drama based on the MPs expenses scandal.

Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education

Tony Saint, Screenwriter

Tony Saint is a screen-writer and novelist. Tony's television film Thatcher: The Long Walk to Finchley was broadcast in June 2008 to great critical acclaim. It has been nominated for Best Single Drama at the Broadcast and Royal Television Society Awards.

His three novels, Refusal Shoes, Blag and The ASBO Show have been published by Serpent's Tail to great acclaim.

The Centre for British Politics is based in the University's School of Politics and International Relations. www.nottingham.ac.uk/politics/cbp

On 11 December 2009, Nottingham University's Centre for British Politics held a conference at the British Academy that drew together politicians, writers and academics to explore the interaction of British politics and fiction.

In addition to the conference several video interviews were conducted with some of the speakers on the day.

In this interview taken at the Fiction and British Politics Conference in London, screenwriter Tony Saint talks about an upcoming BBC drama based on the MPs expenses scandal.

Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education

Tony Saint, Screenwriter

Tony Saint is a screen-writer and novelist. Tony's television film Thatcher: The Long Walk to Finchley was broadcast in June 2008 to great critical acclaim. It has been noinated for Best Single Drama at the Broadcast and Royal Television Society Awards.

His three novels, Refusal Shoes, Blag and The ASBO Show have been published by Serpent's Tail to great acclaim.

The Centre for British Politics is based in the University's School of Politics and International Relations. www.nottingham.ac.uk/politics/cbp

In this podcast, Professor Philip Cowley, from the School of Politics and International Relations, discusses the announcement of former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s decision to stand down as leader of the Labour Party and British Prime Minister on 27th June 2007. Professor Cowley discusses the reasons behind Tony Blair’s announcement and the pressure he has faced from within his own party.

Professor Cowley goes on to discuss why Gordon Brown succeeded Tony Blair uncontested and the potential problems this could present for the new Prime Minister. Finally, Professor Cowley discusses the contest for the deputy leadership, why the candidates are standing and the challenges they will face in winning.

Through lectures, discussions, and class exercises, 15.322 analyzes the human processes underlying organizational behavior and change. The class makes students aware of the challenge of organizational change and equips them to better handle it. There are many psychological and sociological phenomena that regularly occur in organizations, though many of these forces are difficult to see. The aim is to increase the students’ understanding of these forces – in themselves and in others – so they become more visible and manageable. The prerequisite for this course is 15.321 Leading Organizations I.

This inquiry takes students through an analysis and evaluation of the Compelling Question “Is protest important in a democracy?” using the Vietnam War as a lens to approach the topic. To accomplish this, students will become more media literate through evaluating sources, biases, perspectives, and the goals of creating media. Throughout the inquiry, students will engage in activities designed to promote and develop media literacy while analzying the Compelling Question and learning about the historical protests of the Vietnam Era.This inquiry is expected to take two weeks (10 periods) to complete: one 45-minute class period to stage the question, introduce the inquiry, and to review media literacy; two 45-minute class periods for each of the three supporting questions; and then three 45-minute class periods for students to write and research their argumentative thesis. If students are as of yet less familiar with media literacy, the instructor should add at least another class period, or more, introducing them more fully to this.The full unit, along with all materials and resources, is available as a PDF attachment.