This course will examine the key ideas, state and societal factors that currently shape U.S. policy postures toward Asia - arguably the world’s most dynamic region - and measure relative U.S. strategic influence there. The main objectives of the course are to: (1) strengthen students’ understanding of ideas that shape fundamental U.S. foreign policy outlooks, particularly as they apply to American policies directed toward the Asia-Pacific region; (2) enable them to apply and evaluate these influences in historical and contemporary settings; and (3) develop their own case studies of explanations for U.S. policy formulation and implementation in the region. While U.S. regional hegemony may be increasingly contested, U.S. power remains an integral part of the increasingly complex geopolitics underwriting Asia-Pacific relations. Understanding its continuing significance and how it functions in that environment is a critical requirement for building one’s knowledge of regional and international security politics.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Identify enduring ideas and institutional contexts that shape US foreign policy interests , as well as basic theoretical terms and concepts
- Identify enduring International Relations theoretical perspectives regarding the sources of US state and societal interests.
- Apply specific theoretical and policy concepts to historical and contemporary cases, emphasizing the context of foreign policy crises
- Evaluate varied theoretical and policy concepts as they help explain historical and contemporary cases, emphasizing the context of foreign policy crises
- Design tests of theoretical and policy concepts to show how they help explain historical and contemporary cases, emphasizing the context of foreign policy crises
Other Information
The course is conducted through seminars with an emphasis on interactive teaching aimed at engaging all students in active participation.
Indicative Assessment
- Course Participation (10) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Quiz (10) [LO 1,2,3]
- Exam (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Essay (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
Approximately 130 hours comprising seminars as well as associated preparation, independent study, and assessment time.
Please note this is a general guide, averaged over the semester and the final hours ultimately depend on the individual's ability in reading and writing.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable.
Prescribed Texts
To be advised.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $4440 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $6360 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
