US Foreign Policy

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Total of 170 hours

Politics and International Studies at Undergraduate level

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/

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.

On completion of this subject students should:

• 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.

A 700 word group briefing paper (10%) due during the intensive teaching period, 2 x 700 word briefing papers (10% each) due after the intesive teaching period, and a 3000 word essay (70%) due at the beginning of September.

Hurdle Requirement: As this is an Intensively-taught subject, seminar attendance is compulsory on all 4 days. Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

A subject reader will be available.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students should:

• 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.