AMST1002 America and the World: The United States in a Global Context

Dr Luis da Vinha

2016

4.5

2 x 50-minute lectures weekly
1 x 50-minute tutorial weekly

Associated majors: American Studies; International Relations; History; Bachelor of International Relations; Bachelor of Government and Public Management

Examination 35%, assignment(s), test(s), tutorial participation, tutorial presentation

This topic begins with a broad background to contemporary American foreign policy, focusing on isolationism, the emergence of the United States as a major world power, the Cold War and the uncertain world of post Cold War US foreign policy. The second half of the topic emphasises the influence of the US in shaping a global economy built upon free trade and looks carefully at the debates over current American foreign policy. The topic concludes with an examination of the September 11 terrorist attacks and subsequent changes in US foreign policy.

To understand the broad development of US foreign policy, different views on that policy and the process by which that policy is sustained or changed
Introduce students to different types of sources and encourage them to critically analyse and assess these sources
Introduce students to academic styles of communicating in both written and oral form

An appreciation of the evolution of US foreign policy from 1945 to the present
An understanding of the way US foreign policies are created
An understanding of how Australian-US foreign policy issues fit into the broader context of US foreign policy
An ability to work within primary and secondary sources on US foreign policy
Critically analyse and assess a range of sources relevant to the topic
Be able to work both collaboratively and independently and to apply their knowledge in a range of situations
Communicate effectively by constructing and developing a coherent argument in written assessment

Key dates and timetable

Timetable details for 2016 are no longer published.

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