Undergraduate - UnitATS2706 - Washington and world politics

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2012 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

print version

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Arts
Offered	Clayton First semester 2012 (Day)
Coordinator(s)	Dr Andy Butfoy

Notes

Previously coded PLT2960

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'.

Outcomes

This subject has the following objectives:

to introduce students to contemporary US foreign policy - including its context, formulation, substance and consequences; and
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.