2018/19 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

HIST2866 The End of the Cold War to the Age of Terror: US Foreign Policy in a Changing World

20 creditsClass Size: 32

Module manager: Dr Rachel Utley
Email: r.e.utley@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2018/19

Module replaces

HIST2865

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Since the late 1970s, international relations in the contemporary era have been characterized by two developments of immense significance: the end of the Cold War, and the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001. In both of these, the central role of the USA has loomed large - variously as the victorious Cold War superpower, the principal international power of the post-Cold War world; and the main target / major protagonist in the 'war on terror'. However, this should not suggest that US leadership was inevitable, or unchallenged. This module therefore investigates relations between states in the period from the late 1970s towards the present, within a complex and changing international context. It considers the nature and scope of developments in international relations over this time frame. It examines them in relation to priorities and perspectives in US foreign policy, and analyses the US' role in world affairs under successive Administrations. Questioning aspirations to leadership, and impediments to that role, it additionally evaluates the perspectives of other major international actors, both state and non-state, and assesses whether the changing character of international politics since the end of the Cold War has militated against the maintenance of a preponderant American role. Asking searching questions about major international themes - including power and conflict; peace and war; states and non-state actors; unilateral, bilateral and multilateral interactions; proliferation, globalisation, terrorism and more - this module offers contemporary historical perspectives on some of the most important international problems of the time.

Objectives

The objectives of this module are:

a) To develop skills of historical enquiry, interpretation and synthesis
b) To develop knowledge and understanding of structures, processes and state strategies in international politics during the period from 1976 to the present
c) To assess impacts and influence of US foreign policy on wider international considerations, and on developments in specific regions of the world
d) To examine the evolution and achievements of international organisations in the same period
e) To develop an understanding of key conceptual issues involved in the study of international politics (including power, its nature and limits; peace and conflict; the international system, and 'polarity' within it; alliances and alignments; aspects of globalization; terrorism; and the increasing breadth of international actors and forms of interaction in world affairs.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will have knowledge and understanding of:
1) relations between states in the period from the late 1970s (the onset of the 'Second Cold War' to the present)
2) transformations in international politics which characterized this period (eg the end of the Cold War, or the onset of the 'war on terror')
3) US foreign policy priorities and constraints; international relations in specific regions of the world; nature, scope and limits of international organisation and interdependent endeavour; the significance of the 'war on terror'
4) empirical and conceptual explanations of the historical interpretation of contemporary international relations, and the interplay between them; allowing them to
5) use this knowledge and understanding to demonstrate their ability to reflect on the study and substance of the international relations of the recent past,, individually and collaboratively, orally and in writing

Syllabus

The module will adopt a combination of chronological and case study approaches to address
i. the nature of the international system in the period since the late 1970s, the prevalent actors and relationships within that system, and the significance of continuity and change over time
ii. the course of US foreign policy since the late 1970s;
iii. its differing priorities and perspectives in the face of an international situation in flux (end of the Cold War, onset of the war on terror etc); and
iv. the consequences of these factors for the nature, scope and influence of US power in the contemporary world in relation to state, multilateral and non-state actors on the international stage

This will entail consideration of the foreign policies of completed Administrations to date (at the time of writing, particularly those of Reagan, G. H. Bush; Clinton, G. W. Bush, and Obama). It will additionally incorporate case studies of power and conflict in contemporary international history to examine US power and influence in context. Possible areas of investigation may include arms races, arms control and questions of proliferation; trade, globalisation and multilateralism; the reach and limits of international organisations and changing international norms; peace and war in regional contexts; challengers to US hegemony, both state and non-state; international implications of the course of events from 9/11 to the rise of IS; and assertions of a 'new Cold War' between the US its former Cold War adversaries.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Seminar	10	2.00	20.00
Private study hours			180.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

To include
-the completion of recommended reading and self-directed reading in preparation for seminars;
-the preparation and completion of a group presentation exercise;
-research and writing of a 2,000-word essay;
-exam preparation and revision.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

To include:
Contributions to seminar discussions
1 x 2,000-word optional non-assessed essay with feedback
Discussion of preliminary ideas for assessed essay
Additional advice from module tutor as requested and/or appropriate

In addition, to develop skills and competence in advance of examination:
Feedback on 1 x assessed group presentation exercise
Feedback on 1 x 2,000-word assessed essay

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1x 2,000 word essay due by 12 noon Monday of week 9, semester 2	40.00
Presentation	Contribution to group presentation, various weeks across semester 2 as directed by tutor	10.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

Where a student is unable to contribute to their group presentation at the specified time, subject to confirmation by appropriate and credible evidence, an alternative exercise will be set by the tutor. This will take the form of a written paper of 900-1000 words, with correctly presented bibliography (in addition to the specified world length), on a topic relevant to the original presentation.

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 30/04/2018

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