The American Century and the Making of a Superpower

Course goals

After completing this course students will:

• have survey knowledge of the emergence of the United States as superpower and global hegemon. This includes knowledge of key historical events, ideological/cultural movements, and societal developments that shaped the trajectory of the US in the world.
• be able to place key moments in US history in a global perspective.
• be able to recognize how perceptions, (cultural) diplomacy, (soft) power, and acknowledgement of a common past have affected the relations between America, Europe and the world.
• be able to understand how cultural factors shape diplomatic interactions and international relations.
• be able to understand contemporary challenges and developments in the international relations of the United States. Students will be able to analyze current events through a lens informed by historical and cultural knowledge.
• be acquainted with the most important conceptual approaches and research traditions in the study of American foreign relations and how to apply these to concrete cases.
• have practiced and applied skills such as academic writing and research. This includes synthesizing information into policy papers.

Content

This course offers an in-depth exploration of the history of U.S. foreign relations, tracing the nation’s trajectory from its emergence as an imperial power in the late 19th century to its contemporary role on the global stage. Beginning with the concept of the "end of the Frontier" and the ideology of American Exceptionalism, the course examines the evolving role of the United States in the world, analyzing how it has shaped—and been shaped by—key political, geopolitical, cultural and economic transformations of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Key themes include the increasing projection of American hard and soft power, the interplay between domestic politics and foreign policy, and the ideological and discursive practices underpinning U.S. global engagement. Special attention is given to how internal political changes, from evolving partisan dynamics to shifting public opinion and economic priorities, have influenced America’s global strategies. The course critically investigates pivotal moments such as the two World Wars, the Cold War, and the post-9/11 "War on Terror," providing a nuanced understanding of how a former colony transitioned from a regional actor to a superpower—and, for some, a global hegemon.
Through lectures, discussions, and primary source analysis, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the forces that have shaped U.S. foreign relations and their implications for the broader international order.

 

Additional information

This course is part of the minor America and Russia (previously the minor Transatlantic Studies).