United States Foreign Policy 1880-1917 (VS1) (U03611)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : HCA-3-U03611

The period on which this course focuses has generally been described as the coming of age of U.S. foreign policy. Using a wide array of theories on imperialism, this course focuses on the question of whether U.S. foreign policy in this era, particularly around the Spanish-American War of 1898, can be rightfully described as imperialist or whether the United States ultimately adhered to its anti-colonial and anti-imperialist heritage. In addition to addressing this pointed question, the course will more generally provide a detailed overview of American foreign policy at a time when the country first appeared as a major player on the world stage until its entry into the First World War. Domestic debates on the direction American foreign policy should take will also form an important part of this course.

Entry Requirements

? This course is only available to part year visiting students.

? This course is a variant of the following course : U03606

? Pre-requisites : Visiting students should normally have three to four History courses at grade B or above. Before enrolling students on this course, Directors are asked to contact the History Honours Admissions Secretary to ensure that a place is available (tel. 503783).

Subject Areas

Home subject area

History, (School of History, Classics and Archaeology, Schedule E)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Thursday	11:10	13:00	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

This course will provide students with a general interest in American foreign policy with a sound basis of a very crucial period, when American power was mounting and when the nation arguably became more interested in the outside world. They will benefit from the pointed analytical focus of the course because, first, they get acquainted with the most important theories on imperialism, and because, second, this focus will enable them to critically assess and comprehend U.S. foreign policy at the time. Furthermore, they will familiarize themselves with the most important primary sources and the relevant secondary source controversies surrounding the contemporary changes. This will enable them to arrive at conclusions of their own and to present them, both orally and in written form, with logical coherence and clarity.