The course examines the history of United States foreign policy from the early national period of the late eighteenth century to the post‑9/11 world. Without limiting itself to diplomacy and international treaties, the course also offers an overview of the evolution of American political thought and its influence on the country’s actions on the global stage throughout different historical phases. Particular attention is devoted to the impact that domestic political dynamics have traditionally had on U.S. foreign‑policy decisions.
The course focuses especially on the implications of the transition from a regional power to a global hegemon, a process that unfolded over the course of the twentieth century. The final sessions are devoted to discussing the still highly relevant debate on the alleged “crisis of empire” and the decline of American power. In class, selected historical documents and significant international treaties are presented and discussed.
By the end of the course, students are able to identify the key turning points in U.S. foreign policy and to understand the stages that marked the country’s transformation from a regional actor into a continental, and eventually global, power.
The course focuses especially on the implications of the transition from a regional power to a global hegemon, a process that unfolded over the course of the twentieth century. The final sessions are devoted to discussing the still highly relevant debate on the alleged “crisis of empire” and the decline of American power. In class, selected historical documents and significant international treaties are presented and discussed.
By the end of the course, students are able to identify the key turning points in U.S. foreign policy and to understand the stages that marked the country’s transformation from a regional actor into a continental, and eventually global, power.
Curriculum
scheda docente
materiale didattico
Stefano Luconi, Matteo Pretelli, “Nazione di immigrati” o “fortezza America”? Gli Stati Uniti e le minoranze etniche nel XXI secolo, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2024.
The Constitution of the USA: at the beginning of classes, the instructor will provide the indications of an online copy
Mutuazione: 21810403 GLI STATI UNITI E IL MONDO in Relazioni internazionali LM-52 A - Z FIORENTINO DANIELE
Programma
The course aims at providing students with a critical thinking on the United States in the last hundred years and of the contemporary world as seen from the American perspective. International studies today entail a good understanding of American culture and history: both because of the nation’s role worldwide and because the new methodologies in cultural and transnational studies developed in the United States, especially in the second half of the 20th century. Therefore, by the end of the course, students will be knowledgeable about the major aspects of U.S. history in the last 150 years both at the domestic and international level. Moreover, they will acquire an understanding of the major methodologies used by American scholars to study their country in transnational and international perspective.Testi Adottati
Mario Del Pero, Libertà e Impero. Gli Stati Uniti e il Mondo, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2017, da pag. 159.Stefano Luconi, Matteo Pretelli, “Nazione di immigrati” o “fortezza America”? Gli Stati Uniti e le minoranze etniche nel XXI secolo, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2024.
The Constitution of the USA: at the beginning of classes, the instructor will provide the indications of an online copy
Modalità Frequenza
Attendance is not mandatory but is taken regularly by the instructor. Attendance is acknowledged for a total of 70% of the classesModalità Valutazione
The final evaluation is based on two oral tests: an in class group presentation and an individual colloquium during the final exams
scheda docente
materiale didattico
Stefano Luconi, Matteo Pretelli, “Nazione di immigrati” o “fortezza America”? Gli Stati Uniti e le minoranze etniche nel XXI secolo, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2024.
The Constitution of the USA: at the beginning of classes, the instructor will provide the indications of an online copy
Mutuazione: 21810403 GLI STATI UNITI E IL MONDO in Relazioni internazionali LM-52 A - Z FIORENTINO DANIELE
Programma
The course aims at providing students with a critical thinking on the United States in the last hundred years and of the contemporary world as seen from the American perspective. International studies today entail a good understanding of American culture and history: both because of the nation’s role worldwide and because the new methodologies in cultural and transnational studies developed in the United States, especially in the second half of the 20th century. Therefore, by the end of the course, students will be knowledgeable about the major aspects of U.S. history in the last 150 years both at the domestic and international level. Moreover, they will acquire an understanding of the major methodologies used by American scholars to study their country in transnational and international perspective.Testi Adottati
Mario Del Pero, Libertà e Impero. Gli Stati Uniti e il Mondo, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2017, da pag. 159.Stefano Luconi, Matteo Pretelli, “Nazione di immigrati” o “fortezza America”? Gli Stati Uniti e le minoranze etniche nel XXI secolo, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2024.
The Constitution of the USA: at the beginning of classes, the instructor will provide the indications of an online copy
Modalità Frequenza
Attendance is not mandatory but is taken regularly by the instructor. Attendance is acknowledged for a total of 70% of the classesModalità Valutazione
The final evaluation is based on two oral tests: an in class group presentation and an individual colloquium during the final exams