• A knowledge of the electoral mechanisms used in the US system and of their significance.

• An awareness of the factors that explain the outcomes of recent presidential and congressional elections, including voting behaviour in recent elections and campaign finance.

• A knowledge of the ideologies, theories and traditions of theDemocrats and Republicans, of conflicts and tendencies within each party, and of their coalitions of supporters.

• A knowledge of the US party system, of the distribution of power within parties, and of the changing significance of parties as a means of organising the electorate and as channels of political access.

• A knowledge of minor parties, their impact and obstacles to participation.

• A knowledge of the different categories of groups within the US system and of how they operate.

• A knowledge of the policy significance of organised groups and interests, of their resources and tactics, and of debates  about their impact upon democracy.

• A knowledge of how they operate to influence specified branches of federal government as well as exploiting the electoral process to enhance their influence.

civil rights

multiculturalism/

multiracialism

black nationalism

ethnic coalitions and

conflicts

• A knowledge of racial and ethnic diversity in the USA, of key issues in minority politics, including forms of minority political activism, the extent of minority representation and an evaluation of the policies to diminish racial division.