The Politics of Transatlantic Relations (PO32003)
Module Convenor: Dr John MacDonald
Credit Rating: 30 SCQF credits
Level: Level 3 optional module
Module Content
The relationship between the USA and Europe is one of the dominant alliances in international politics. The so-called ‘transatlantic relationship’ provides the focus for this third year module. Focusing predominantly upon security issues, the module provides an introduction to transatlantic politics and explores questions such as: Is there a difference in how ‘Americans’ and ‘Europeans’ approach international politics? What constitutes the greatest contemporary threat to transatlantic security? What impact has 9/11 had on transatlantic relations? Does NATO have a future? .
The module provides students with an understanding of some of the key issues in contemporary transatlantic politics. It encourages an understanding of the similarities and differences in how American and European governments approach these issues. This focus will allow students to develop an understanding of some of the major topics in contemporary transatlantic relations, including the role of NATO, the so-called ‘War on Terror’, the Kyoto Treaty and the relationship between Russia and ‘the West’.
Module Aims
This module aims to:
- Introduce students to transatlantic relations
- Consider the nature of the contemporary transatlantic relationship
- Examine the major issues within contemporary transatlantic politics and the policies of the major members of the relationship towards these issues
- Further communication, team-working and IT skills of students
Intended Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
- Students will develop an appreciation of the dynamics of the contemporary transatlantic relationship
- Have an awareness of the major issues within the contemporary transatlantic relationship
- Have an understanding of the views and policies of the major members of the transatlantic relationship towards these issues
Skills
- Students will have developed their key skills
Teaching
There will be eleven one-hour lectures (one per week), and eleven one-hour tutorials (one per week).
Assessment
The assessed components on this module are:
- Coursework (50% of the total mark: project, 25%; essay, 25%)
- Unseen two-hour examination (50% of total mark)
Indicative Reading
- Roland Dannreuther & John Peterson, Security Strategy & Transatlantic Relations (Routledge, 2006)
- John Baylis & Jon Roper, The United States and Europe: Beyond the Ne-Conservative Divide? (London/New York: Routledge, 2006)
- Thomas Ilgen (ed.), Hard Power, Soft Power and the Future of Transatlantic Relations (Ashgate publishing, 2006). [This text is available electronically through the library and so it is readily available to students.]
- John Peterson and Mark A. Pollack (eds), Europe, America, Bush: Transatlantic relations in the twenty-first century (London/New York: Routledge, 2003)
- Robert Kagan, Paradise and Power: America and Europe in the New World Order (London, Atlantic Books, 2003)
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