PO3USF-US Foreign and Defence Policy since 1950

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Graham O'Dwyer
Email: g.m.odwyer@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

American foreign policy matters. As the most powerful, wealthiest, and influential state in the contemporary international system what Washington thinks and does is important to understand. But how did the US come to be in such a dominant position? This module explores this question and a set of integrated ones that flow from this concerning the American foreign policy tradition, the growth of presidential power in foreign policy making since 1945, and a number of case studies that explore key events and policies across time. By exploring historical and contemporary cases, students will analyse how foreign policy decisions are made, who influences them, and how this has evolved overtime. Drawing on primary and secondary sources students will gain an understanding of crucial events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, US foreign policy in Latin America, and the response to 9/11. Finally, the course will explore salient challenges faced by US foreign policymakers today.

Aims:

• To advance students' knowledge of US foreign and defence policymaking processes and history since the end of the Second World War;

• To enable students to understand, analyse, and assess the domestic and international determinants of US foreign and defence policy making;

• To enable students to arrive at informed and critical assessments of the material and objectives of US foreign and defence policy;

• To facilitate student understanding of change and continuity in US foreign and defence policy;

• To enable students to evaluate the outcomes of US foreign policy;

• To enhance students' critical and analytical skills through engaging with diverse and challenging literature and to demonstrate these in policy simulations, discussions, debates, and written work

Assessable learning outcomes:

• To provide a solid foundation of the history and practice of US foreign and defence policy, which will be assessed through written work;


• To demonstrate an understanding of the policymaking process, substantive issues, and forms of policy writing through the drafting of position papers, issue briefings, and policy recommendations.

Additional outcomes:

• Effective oral presentation and collaboration in a simulated policymaking environment;


• Effective understanding of finding and analysing primary documents related to the making of US foreign policy;


• Knowledge of different approaches to understanding and explaining US foreign and defence policy, which can provide a point of departure for further research;


• Informed and critical approach to using primary and secondary sources through preparation of all coursework;


• Enhanced confidence in, and effectiveness of, oral and written communication through seminar discussions, presentations and written analysis;


• Improved time management through meeting deadlines and regular seminar preparation;


• Independent and team work through individual and group preparation of coursework.

Outline content:

Week One – Introduction: American Power and the Foreign Policy Tradition

Week Two – The Making of Foreign Policy: Congressional-Presidential Power since 1945

Week Three – 1940s: The Intellectual Foundations of Post-War Foreign Policy

Week Four – 1950s: The Korean War the Space Race

Week Five – 1960s Part I: The Cuban Missile Crisis

Week Six – 1960s Part II: The Vietnam War

Week Seven – 1970s: the ABM Treaty and Triangular Diplomacy

Week Eight – 1980s: the War on Drugs and the Latin American Pivot

Week Nine – 1990s Part I: the End of History and The New World Order

Week Ten – 1990s Part II: the Search for a Purpose in the post-Cold War World

Week Eleven – 2000s: 9/11 and Simulation Part I: overview and introductions

Week Twelve – 2000s: 9/11 and Simulation Part II: debate and decision

Week Thirteen – 2010s: Simulation Debrief and the waning of the Pax American?

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module is taught via thirteen two-hour seminars requiring preparatory reading and research. Students will be required to participate in a policy simulation and structured group discussions 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	20	6
Guided independent study:	84	90
Total hours by term	104	96	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	50
Report	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:
There is no examination.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One 3,000 word essay analysing US foreign policy in a specific historical or contemporary case, employing research in both primary and secondary sources.  This essay is worth 50% of the overall module mark.



One 3,000 word simulation report that explores one particular case study from the perspective of a particular institution – such as the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and the Department of State.  This report is worth 50% of the overall module mark.

Visiting students who wish to gain full credit will follow the same assessment. Visiting students who are only studying for half credits in Autumn and/or Spring terms will submit half of the work, in consultation with the module convenor.

Formative assessment methods:
Students will actively participate in the class simulation. All students are expected to contribute extensively to class debate.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
40%

Reassessment arrangements:

Candidates who fail their final year normally have the right to be re-examined on one further occasion at the next opportunity. These candidates will not normally be eligible for Honours (ie., only a ‘Pass’ classification would be attainable). Students who are eligible for re-assessment have the right to re-assessment in all elements even if they have previously passed one of those elements. It is expected, however, that the majority of students would probably elect not to repeat an element in which they had already passed, in which case the confirmed marks would be carried forward.

Coursework: Failed or missing coursework should be re-submitted on Blackboard within the published re-submission period.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: all readings offered as e-books or articles via the university library website or as a PDF on BlackBoard.

2) Specialist equipment or materials:

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:

4) Printing and binding: There may be optional costs associated with photocopying or printing sources listed on the reading list relating to this module. Please note that the Library charges approximately 5p per photocopy.

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 22 September 2022