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AMST40310

Academic Year 2025/2026

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:
Spring
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 key challenges facing US foreign policy. First, we will study the complex relations existing between the United States and key players in the other regions of the world. Second, we will analyze the role of the environment and international terrorism in US foreign policy. Finally, we will conclude with a discussion on whether the United States remains the most powerful country in the world.

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 challenges to US foreign policy.

Indicative Module Content:

- the complex relations existing between the United States and other actors in key regions of the world.
- the role of the environment and international terrorism in US foreign policy.
- US decline vs US primacy.

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:
- Lectures
- In-class peer and group discussions
- Active/task-based learning;


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): Weekly short written analysis of the relevant readings. Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
10
 No
Exam (In-person): The exam consists of short answer questions covering the material discussed in the module. End of trimester
Duration:
1 hr(s)
 Graded No
90
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
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.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 16:00 - 17:50
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