UNSW Handbook Course - Exceptional Empire? US Foreign Relations in the 'American' Century

Exceptional Empire? US Foreign Relations in the 'American' Century - POLS5157


	Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
	School: School of Social Sciences and International Studies
	Course Outline: http://www.arts.unsw.edu.au/politics/
	Campus: Kensington Campus
	Career: Postgraduate
	Units of Credit: 8
	EFTSL: 0.167 (more info)
	Contact Hours per Week: 2
	Fee Band: 1 (more info)
	Further Information: See Class Timetable

Description

Explores the rise of American power and influence from the end of continental expansion in the 1890s to the 'War on Terror' after September 11, 2001. Major crises in US foreign relations are considered in the light of changing historiography and international relations paradigms, notably those centred on: American 'exceptionalism'; Open Door imperialism; realist and national interest perspectives; isolationism and intervention; containment and bi-polar Cold War theories; decolonisation, post-colonialism and 'new imperialism'; globalisation and 'soft power'; Americanisation and anti-Americanism; debate over American empire and hegemony in the post-Cold War world; and the implications of the war on terror for the exercise of American power in the 21st century.

Learning Outcomes

To foster skills in research and evaluation of published arguments and public sources which inform the study of international relations
To gain an understanding of key theories and conceptual approaches to the study of the US and the wider world
To explore and contextualise the changing interpretations which have characterized historical and contemporary writing on US foreign relations in the 'American Century'
To foster critical thinking, advanced skills in analysis and evaluation, and the ability to express coherent arguments in clear and concise prose.

Assessment

Short bibliographical project (1000 words) - 10%
Class presentations and participation - 20%
Class test - 20%
Research essay (4000 words) - 50%

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