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