POLI 3004 American Foreign Policy Since 1945

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 100985

Coordinator James Trapani Opens in new window

Description This subject will analyse both the major international issues and crises which America confronted after 1945 and how successive American presidents and their policy makers responded to these problems

School Humanities & Comm Arts

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

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Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject

Equivalent Subjects LGYB 4964 - American Foreign Policy LGYA 0954 - American Foreign Policy Since 1945

Restrictions

Successful completion of 60 credit points of study in currently enrolled program.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate skills in oral expression developed by discussing and debating key issues, episodes and themes related to American foreign policy since 1945
  2. Develop and expound an argument in written form
  3. Conduct research and demonstrate a depth of knowledge and analysis of particular themes, issues or aspects of American foreign policy from 1945
  4. Discuss and critically analyse primary texts and other literature related to the subject
  5. Explain and evaluate the themes and issues examined in American foreign policy since 1945
  6. Demonstrate a familiarity with a range of theoretical approaches to explorations of American foreign policy
  7. Understand and interpret the crucial importance of the Presidency in making US foreign policy

Subject Content

The Presidency and American Foreign Policy
The Truman Doctrine
The Marshall Plan
NATO
The Occupation of Japan
The Korean War
Eisenhower, Dulles and American hegemony
Kennedy's New Frontier
The Cuban Missile Crisis
Nixon and the end of the Vietnam War
Sino-US rapprochement
Israel, Oil and Real Politik
Reagan and the Evil Empire
Bush and the New World Order
Clinton, Human Rights, Democracy, World Markets and Dirty LIttle Wars
The US and the United Nations
George W. Bush - new departures and new problems

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Type Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task Mandatory
Essay 2,000 words 40 N Individual
Short Essay 1000 words 20 N Individual
Take Home Exam 72 hour period to submit short essay responses to Turnitin 40 N Individual

Prescribed Texts

  • Jerald A.Combs,The History of American Foreign Policy from 1895, Routledge, 4th edition, 2013.

Teaching Periods

Autumn (2025)

Bankstown City

On-site

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Penrith (Kingswood)

On-site

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Online

Online

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Parramatta - Victoria Rd

On-site

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