NORAM4582 – America in the World

Course content

This course examines the relation between ideology, politics, power and foreign policy. We consider both mainstream and alternative perspectives on the rise of American power by examining its historical circumstances, strategic considerations and ideological justifications. In particular we will fairly represent, but also critically examine reigning theories of international relations, both as applied by defenders of American global hegemony and from the perspective of globalism and related internationalisms. Examining the rise of American power with its enormous impact on the world, we will also consider the prospects for its future role in light of its declining economic and political circumstances.

Learning outcome

After completing this course you will have:

  • gained a thorough introduction to U.S. foreign policy history, with an emphasis on the period from the 1890s to the present;
  • learned about the relationships between American foreign policy and international relations models and tenets more generally;
  • practice in studying the country's foreign relations in an interdisciplinary framework that includes domestic history, as well as American politics and culture;
  • gained oral and written practice in formulating and defending a clear analytical argument on topics in the course;
  • gained a deeper and more extensive understanding of the whole of US foreign policy history with additional readings, some of them from internet sources;
  • learned how to search for a project for an MA thesis if foreign affairs is your area of greatest interest

Admission

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Admission to the North America Area studies MA program, LP or other relevant MA program.

Teaching

Seminar, two hour per week, for 10 weeks, 20 hours in all.

Attendance is an obligatory class requirement (80%).

In order to qualify for taking the exam, students must submit an acceptable five page essay.

Examination

The final exam cosists of a 3-day take-home examination on which the course grade is based.

Previous exams: http://www.uio.no/studier/emner/hf/ilos/NORAM4582/Eksamensoppgaver/Eksamensoppgaver

Examination support material

No examination support material is allowed.

Language of examination

English

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Results will be found on the StudentWeb within three weeks after the exam is completed.

Explanations and appeals

Resit an examination

Withdrawal from an examination

It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.

Special examination arrangements

Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.

Evaluation

The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.

Facts about this course

Credits
10
Level
Master
Teaching
Autumn 2014
Examination
Autumn 2014
Teaching language
English