U.S. Foreign Policy
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| INTS4109 | School of International Studies | 4 | 20 | Autumn China |
- Code
- INTS4109
- School
- School of International Studies
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn China
Summary
This module is structured as a series of ten lectures, accompanied by five workshops during which the lecturer will guide groups in their independent work for the assessed group presentation.
• The module will introduce students to the debates concerning the Priorities, institutions, historical evolution of, ideologies, and constraints present upon the foreign policy of the United States of America.
• It will then systematically introduce and critically discuss key doctrines of US foreign policy, with focus on how the changing material capabilities and ideational conceptions of the role of foreign policy in US politics has shaped its foreign policy agenda, especially post 1945.
• The module will critically analyse the relationship between the core institutions of US politics executive, legislature and Supreme Court in the making of foreign policy, and their relative weight and efficacy in deciding the foci and trajectory of US foreign policy.
• The module will move from here to allow Postgraduate students to work independently beyond contact hour, expanding their knowledge, for instance, concerning the key agencies responsible for the enactment of US foreign policy, particularly the Department of State, USAID, the military and intelligence services.
Please note: This module is assessed at the end of Autumn semester. First sit/ Re-sit exams are scheduled normally in the summer and can take the same form as the missing/ failed component of the assessment (exam, essay etc.) or other form, as decided by the School.
Target Students
PG students enrolled in the IRIB MA and the IRWH MA at the School International Studies.
Classes
- One 1-hour seminar each week for 5 weeks
- One 1-hour lecture each week for 10 weeks
Assessment
- 60% coursework: 3000-word essay
- 40% presentation: group presentation
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
On completion of this module, students should have acquired:• A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the key doctrines of US foreign policy and their historical context, with a focus on the composition and changing priorities of US foreign policy over time.• A well-developed understanding of the process and institutions involved in the making and oversight of US foreign policy, and their relative strengths and weaknesses.• A thorough knowledge of the parallel and mutually-influential developments of economic and political components of US foreign policy thinking• of the ability to reflect originally and independently on the history of thought in US foreign policy• The capacity to use complex debates surrounding what US foreign policy should comprise and what its objectives ought to be.A comprehensive grounding in the Complexities of US foreign policy in an age when it faces increasing political and economic competition from a number of rising powers.Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:
• A detailed knowledge of the institutions, processes, idea, priorities, and interests that help to determine the agenda of US foreign policy and influence how that policy is made.
• A critical appreciation of how each of the above has changed over time.
• Knowledge of the main issues relating to US participation in the global political economy
• Apply conceptual tools to assess the ways in which US foreign policy has been made and the impacts it has had on the evolution of world order.
• Knowledge of the manner in which US foreign policy is challenged and resisted by those who reject the US’s hegemonic position in world politics, or consider themselves its ‘victims’.
Academic skills:
At the conclusion of this module, students should:
• Be able to critically evaluate core theoretical approaches to the study of US Foreign Policy.
• Understand the specific role of political dynamics that shape US Foreign Policy and its discourses;
• Be able to effectively combine empirical knowledge with theoretical insights in the analysis of US Foreign Policy;
• Feel confident to further research or work in a related field.
Transferable skills:
• Research: Capability for independent and self-initiated study; composition of coherent and analytical papers based on secondary and primary sources
• Presentation: Ability to work as team members and ability to deliver a group presentation that articulates complex ideas and arguments
• Analytical: Competence to understand and analyse complex processes, ideas and theories
• Subject-specific: Basic understanding of international development work and ability to criticise its discourses
Conveners
- Dr David KIWUWA