US Foreign Policy

Subject POLS90007 (2013)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2013.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2013.

Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 2-hour seminar per week. Repeat seminars will be scheduled subject to enrolments.
Total Time Commitment:

10

Prerequisites:

None

Corequisites:

None

Recommended Background Knowledge:

Politics and International Studies at Undergraduate level

Non Allowed Subjects:

166-511 US Foreign Policy

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

Dr. Timothy Lynch: tlynch@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject examines the formation and conduct of US foreign policy.It explores the actors, ideas, interests and institutions that shape US foreign policy, including the role of the President, the Executive branch, Congress, interest groups, lobbies, and political culture, including debates about American exceptionalism. It also examines competing theories of US foreign policy making and explores a range of case studies in the areas of security, interventionism, and democracy promotion.

Objectives:
  • have a critical understanding of the actors, ideas, interests and institutions that shape US foreign policy
  • have a critical understanding of competing theories of US foreign policy making
  • have a critical understanding of key areas of US foreign policy
  • have a critical understanding of debates about US power and the US's changing role in the world
Assessment:

3 x 750 word briefing papers (10% each) due early, mid and end-semester, and a 3000 word essay (70%) due during the examination period.

Hurdle Requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment that is submitted after the due date and up to 10 working days late without an approved extension will be marked on a pass/fail basis only. Assessment that is submitted later than 10 working days will not be accepted or marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available for purchase from the University Bookshop.

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • be able to apply research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry.
  • be ablet o develop persuasive arguments on a given topic.
  • be able to communicate oral and written arguments and ideas effectively and articulately.
Related Course(s): Postgraduate Diploma in Islamic Studies
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: 100 Point Master of International Relations
100 Point Master of Islamic Studies
150 Point Master of Islamic Studies
200 Point Master of International Relations
200 Point Master of Islamic Studies

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