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AMERICAN POLITICS AND FOREIGN POLICY PROGRAMME COURSE DESCRIPTION

Code Name of the Course Unit Semester In-Class Hours (T+P) Credit ECTS Credit
POL329 AMERICAN POLITICS AND FOREIGN POLICY 5 3 3 5

GENERAL INFORMATION

Language of Instruction : English
Level of the Course Unit : BACHELOR'S DEGREE, TYY: + 6.Level, EQF-LLL: 6.Level, QF-EHEA: First Cycle
Type of the Course : Elective
Mode of Delivery of the Course Unit -
Coordinator of the Course Unit Assist.Prof. ÇAĞLA TUĞBERK ARIKER
Instructor(s) of the Course Unit
Course Prerequisite No

OBJECTIVES AND CONTENTS

Objectives of the Course Unit: The aim of the course attempts to understand the American foreign policy through different theoretical lenses, studying the impact of American foreign policy on regional and global level, discussing the US’ attempts to reorganizing international system historically.
Contents of the Course Unit: Content of the course covers, American foreign policy priorities historically especially during the foundation period of the country, World War I and II, the Cold War and the post Cold War as well as important doctrines and policy transitions during the times of different Presidents of USA.

KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THE COURSE UNIT (On successful completion of this course unit, students/learners will or will be able to)

Analyse American foreign policy towards different regions.
Interpret American foreign policy priorities for different periods (World War I and II, the Cold War and the post Cold War).
Evaluate basic issues that American Presidents dealt with.
Evaluate and interpret America’s relations with other important actors of the international system.

WEEKLY COURSE CONTENTS AND STUDY MATERIALS FOR PRELIMINARY & FURTHER STUDY

Week Preparatory Topics(Subjects) Method
1 Reading the related subject in the coursebook: James Lee Ray (2014) American Foreign Policy and Political Ambition,CQ Press.Chapter 1 Why should we study American Foreign Policy? The Impacts of American Foreign Policy. Lecture & Question and Answer & Discussion
2 Reading the related subject in the coursebook: James Lee Ray (2014) American Foreign Policy and Political Ambition,CQ Press.Chapter 2 Analyzing Modern American Foreign Policy: Competing Approaches: Realism, Liberalism, Neoconservatism. Lecture & Question and Answer & Discussion
3 Reading the related subject in the coursebook: James Lee Ray (2014) American Foreign Policy and Political Ambition,CQ Press.Chapter 2 Constructivism, Marxizm, Rational Political Ambition Theory Lecture & Question and Answer & Discussion
4 Reading the related subject in the coursebook: James Lee Ray (2014) American Foreign Policy and Political Ambition,CQ Press.Chapter 3 Short History of USA from foundation to the American Revolution through World War II: American Isolationism, The Proclamation of the Monroe Doctrine, U.S. Expansion in the Nineteenth Century. Lecture & Question and Answer & Discussion
5 Reading the related subject in the coursebook: James Lee Ray (2014) American Foreign Policy and Political Ambition,CQ Press.Chapter 4 The Cold War Strains in the World War II Coalition, Who would be accused for Cold War?, Cold War Milestones, The Korean War Lecture & Question and Answer & Discussion
6 Reading the related subject in the coursebook: James Lee Ray (2014) American Foreign Policy and Political Ambition,CQ Press.Chapter 4 he War in Vietnam (1955-1973): President Eisenhower (1953-1961), John F. Kennedy (1961-1963), Lyndon Johnson (1963-1969), Richard Nixon (1969-1974). Lecture & Question and Answer & Discussion
7 - Phase I (1944-1973) of postwar GSS: Cold War Bipolarity, Phase II (1974-1991) of Postwar GSS: Multipolarity, Detente and Neoliberalism: Nixon (1969-1974) and Kissenger’s Multipolarity and Detente, President Carter (1977-1981): Human rights emphasis shadowed by Oil crises, Afghanistan issue and Iranian revolution, Reagan (1981-1989) and the Cold War Redux, George H. W. Bush (1989-1993, Phase III (1992-Today) of Postwar GSS: Quasi Unipolarity, Globalisation, Increasing Nationalism: Clinton (1993-2001), George W Bush (2001-2009): American Unipolarity and Neoconservatives. Lecture & Question and Answer & Discussion
8 - MID-TERM EXAM -
9 - Important security issues of the last decade, Obama (2009-2017): Relations with Iran and Middle East, Russia, China, Donald J. Trump (2017-2021):Relations with North Korea, Russia, China and Middle East. Lecture & Question and Answer & Discussion
10 Reading the related subject in the coursebook: James Lee Ray (2014) American Foreign Policy and Political Ambition,CQ Press.Chapter 13 Afghanistan Issue: Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan and Afghanistan under Taliban, September 11 Lecture & Question and Answer & Discussion
11 Reading the related subject in the coursebook: James Lee Ray (2014) American Foreign Policy and Political Ambition,CQ Press.Chapter 13 US war against Afghanistan after 9/11, US Invasion of Iraq: Different Scenarios, The Legality of US’ War on Terror in Afghanistan and Iraq, 2002 National Security Document Lecture & Question and Answer & Discussion
12 Reading the related subject in the coursebook: James Lee Ray (2014) American Foreign Policy and Political Ambition,CQ Press.Chapter 11 US and Asia, Negative Scenario about Asian States Relations, Positive Scenarios about Asian States Relations, Negative Scenario about Relations between China and USA, US Enters Asia: Philippines War of Independence, Negative Scenario about Relations, US-Philippines War, US in China in the 19. Century Lecture & Question and Answer & Discussion
13 - USA, China and SSCB Relations during the Cold War Lecture & Question and Answer & Discussion
14 - Power Transition and Future of US-Chinese Relations, Clinton’s (1993-2001) China Policy, George W. Bush’s (2001-2009) China Policy, Obama’s China Policy. Lecture & Question and Answer & Discussion
15 Revision Preparation for the exam: General and comparative evaluation of former subjects. Revision of basic points Lecture & Question and Answer & Discussion
16 - FINAL EXAM -
17 - FINAL EXAM -

SOURCE MATERIALS & RECOMMENDED READING

James Lee Ray (2014) American Foreign Policy and Political Ambition,CQ Press.
Paterson, Thomas G., J. Garry Clifford, Robert Brigham, et al. American Foreign Relations: A History, Volume 2: Since 1895. 8th edition. Wadsworth Publishing, 2014. ISBN: 9781285433332.
Herring, George C. America’s Longest War: The United States and Vietnam, 1950–1975. 5th edition. McGraw-Hill, 2013. ISBN: 9780073513256. [
Gaddis, John Lewis. Strategies of Containment: A Critical Appraisal of American National Security Policy during the Cold War. Oxford University Press, 2005. ISBN: 9780195174472.

ASSESSMENT

Assessment & Grading of In-Term Activities Number of Activities Degree of Contribution (%) Description
Level of Contribution
0 1 2 3 4 5

CONTRIBUTION OF THE COURSE UNIT TO THE PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES

KNOWLEDGE

Theoretical

Programme Learning Outcomes Level of Contribution
0 1 2 3 4 5
1
Define the theories, concepts and principles of the basic and sub-fields of business.
2
Explain business functions and processes based on current scientific sources.

KNOWLEDGE

Factual

Programme Learning Outcomes Level of Contribution
0 1 2 3 4 5
1
Relate internationally valid business cases with the theories and concepts of other social sciences.

SKILLS

Cognitive

Programme Learning Outcomes Level of Contribution
0 1 2 3 4 5
1
Explain the current events and facts in his / her field analytically and systematically based on advanced knowledge and skills he / she has.

SKILLS

Practical

Programme Learning Outcomes Level of Contribution
0 1 2 3 4 5
1
Use the theoretical and factual knowledge in business for occupational practices.
2
Solve individual and organizational problems in business life.
3
Use computer programs (SPSS, R, Excel, Stata) efficiently against the complex business problems.

OCCUPATIONAL

Autonomy & Responsibility

Programme Learning Outcomes Level of Contribution
0 1 2 3 4 5
1
Plan research and work using knowledge and skills gained in the field of business.
2
Organize the activities for organizational goals and purposes independently.

OCCUPATIONAL

Learning to Learn

Programme Learning Outcomes Level of Contribution
0 1 2 3 4 5
1
Criticize advanced knowledge and skills in the field with a critical approach.
2
Develop the existing knowledge and skills with a critical point of view under the impact of scientific, technological and current developments.

OCCUPATIONAL

Communication & Social

Programme Learning Outcomes Level of Contribution
0 1 2 3 4 5
1
Express his/her knowledge, thoughts and solutions on business to related stakeholders in written and verbal ways.
2
Use the information and communication technology software and equipment required for business.

OCCUPATIONAL

Occupational and/or Vocational

Programme Learning Outcomes Level of Contribution
0 1 2 3 4 5
1
Apply the social, scientific, cultural and ethical values at the stages of collection of data, their implementation, interpretation and announcement of results in the field of business.
2
Relate the concepts of social rights, occupational safety, employee health, quality management and sustainability with the cases in business life.

WORKLOAD & ECTS CREDITS OF THE COURSE UNIT

Workload for Learning & Teaching Activities

Type of the Learning Activites Learning Activities (# of week) Duration (hours, h) Workload (h)
Lecture & In-Class Activities 14 3 42
Preliminary & Further Study 12 4 48
Land Surveying 0 0 0
Group Work 0 0 0
Laboratory 0 0 0
Reading 13 1 13
Assignment (Homework) 0 0 0
Project Work 0 0 0
Seminar 0 0 0
Internship 0 0 0
Technical Visit 0 0 0
Web Based Learning 0 0 0
Implementation/Application/Practice 0 0 0
Practice at a workplace 0 0 0
Occupational Activity 0 0 0
Social Activity 0 0 0
Thesis Work 0 0 0
Field Study 0 0 0
Report Writing 0 0 0
Final Exam 1 1 1
Preparation for the Final Exam 1 15 15
Mid-Term Exam 1 1 1
Preparation for the Mid-Term Exam 1 10 10
Short Exam 0 0 0
Preparation for the Short Exam 0 0 0
TOTAL 43 0 130
Total Workload of the Course Unit 130
Workload (h) / 25.5 5,1
ECTS Credits allocated for the Course Unit 5,0