Course summary
Warwick's MA in US Foreign Policy focuses on both the domestic and global contexts of national security as well as wider significance of US foreign policy for international affairs, including diplomacy, counterterrorism, conflict management and climate policy. Course overview The significance of United States foreign policy has grown in the two decades since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and the subsequent 'war on terror' in ways that have been reflected in the development of the academic literature and in the increased level of interest in the subject area. Recent events such as the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have raised significant questions about US power and its role globally. The climate change crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic have also stimulated debates about the extent to which transnational threats should become more central priorities in US foreign policy. This programme focuses on US foreign policy in the context of national security as well as wider aspects of the country’s foreign policy and its impact on international relations, the global economy and particularly security. Emphasis is given to critical debates over whether US power is declining and how well equipped the US is to deal effectively with the challenges of contemporary international affairs. Double Degrees Our Double Degree programmes enable you to combine the study of this MA programme in PAIS with a Master’s programme at any one of our partner universities:
- American University, Washington DC, USA
- University of Waterloo, Canada
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Modules
Core modules United States Foreign Policy and National Security This module is about the study of US foreign and national security and the critical analysis of the key global issues confronting the United States in the twenty first century. Some of the key questions informing this module are: What are the main sources of US foreign policy making? What is the balance between power and principle in US foreign policy? What are the main threats to US national security and how are they confronted? How is US foreign and security policy being transformed to deal with transnational threats such as climate change, pandemics and racial injustice? Dissertation The Dissertation is an opportunity to study a topic of your choosing, in autonomy and in-depth, under the guidance of an advisor selected among the many experts in the Department. The Dissertation topic should be related to your course. It is an original empirical and/or theoretical investigation, led over terms 2 and 3, that takes further the work done in regular seminars in terms 1 and 2. The Dissertation is the closest you will get to real research during your degree. It is a key experience if you have a PhD in view, or extra-academic research, or any future employment that will require the ability to lead investigations and write reports in autonomy. Optional modules Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:
- The CIA and Covert Action
- The Global Politics of Nuclear Weapons
Assessment method
Assessment methods include research essays and other (written) assignments throughout the year, culminating in a 10,000 word dissertation at the end.
Entry requirements
Minimum requirements 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a related subject. Visit our PAIS web pages for department-specific advice on applying to ensure your application has the best chance for success. English language requirements You can find out more about our English language requirements. This course requires the following: Band B IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above. International qualifications We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Additional fee information
Please visit the University of Warwick website for the tuition fees for postgraduate courses:
https://warwick.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/funding/fees
Sponsorship information
We offer a variety of postgraduate funding options for study at the University of Warwick, from postgraduate loans, university scholarships, fee awards, to academic department bursaries. It's important that you apply for your postgraduate course first before you apply for a University of Warwick scholarship.
Provider information
University of Warwick
Coventry
CV4 7AL