PLT3960 - Seeking A New World Order? Washington and World Politics

Leader: Andy Butfoy

Offered

Caulfield First semester 2007 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit is an exploration of the foreign policy of the world's only superpower. The major issues looked at include the way in which the US is responding to the challenges of globalisation and interdependence; US policy regarding international order; and the factors which help shape decision making in Washington. A central theme is the playing out of the relationship between the 'politics of principle' and the 'politics of power'.

Objectives

This subject has the following objectives:

1. to introduce students to contemporary US foreign policy - including its context, formulation, substance and consequences; and
2. to enhance the ability of students to engage in critical reflection and produce reasoned, soundly structured and well presented debate on the role of Washington in the contemporary international system.

Assessment

Essay (2500 words): 50%
Examination (2 hours): 50%
Compared with second year students, third year students will be invited to demonstrate wider reading and a deeper knowledge of the unit.

Contact hours

2 hours (1 x 1 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial) per week

Prerequisites

A first-year sequence in Politics or permission.

Prohibitions

PLT2960