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AMST40310

Academic Year 2024/2025

Challenges in US Foreign Policy (AMST40310)

Subject:
American Studies
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Centre For American Studies
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Eugenio Lilli
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The United States plays a powerful role in contemporary global politics. Therefore understanding its place in the international system and how its foreign policy is made are of crucial importance for every student interested in global affairs and international relations. This module focuses on the challenges facing US foreign policy in the 21st century. First, we will discuss the topical debates about US relative decline and the future of US Grand Strategy. Second, we will study the complex relations existing between the United States and key players in the other regions of the world. Third, we will conclude by analyzing US foreign policies in especially important areas such as the global economy, the environment, and international terrorism.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the module you will be able to present in detail and critically analyze key issues in international relations and the role that the United States plays in them. You will also develop the ability to offer policy recommendations to address current real-world foreign crises.

Indicative Module Content:

- the debates on US relative decline and the future of US Grand Strategy
- the complex relations existing between the United States and the other regions of the world
- US foreign policies in especially important areas such as the global economy, the environment, and international terrorism

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

24
Autonomous Student Learning

176
Total

200

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Key teaching and learning approaches used in the module include:
active/task-based learning;
peer and group work;
debates;
student presentations.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

US Foreign Policy (2018 or newer), edited by Michael Cox and Doug Stokes, Oxford University Press. Or any similar manual on US foreign policy.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Students are required to write an assignment of 2,500 words containing analysis and policy recommendations to the US president on a real-world current issue of US foreign policy. Week 12, Week 14, Week 15 Graded No

70

 No
Participation in Learning Activities: Presentations and participation in in-class/online activities. Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Graded No

30

 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will receive individual and group feedback on their in-class activities throughout the duration of the module. Feedback on end-of-term coursework will instead be provided individually if requested.

The complete reading list will be presented at the beginning of the module and published on Brightspace.
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