The Special Relationship - Anglo-American Security Relations
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| POLI3124 | Politics and International Relations | 3 | 20 | Autumn UK, Spring UK |
- Code
- POLI3124
- School
- Politics and International Relations
- Level
- 3
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn UK, Spring UK
Summary
The Anglo-American so-called 'Special Relationship' has provoked controversy since the term was coined after World War Two. To some commentators it has represented an attempt by the UK to hide its decline by lofty rhetoric and becoming the 'poodle' of a Superpower. To others, it has been a relationship that has served the interests of both countries and provided a foundation for Western cooperation. This module explores the salient aspects of a relationship that has been built around security, conventional and nuclear.
Target Students
Available to Final Year UG students in the School of Politics and International Relations on single and joint honours plans. Also available to Final Year UG students on the Philosophy, Politics and Economics plan, and incoming exchange students based in the School of Politics and International Relations.
Classes
This module is taught through a combination of lectures and seminars.
Assessment
- 25% Coursework 1: 1,000-word research paper
- 75% Coursework 2: 3,000-word coursework essay
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
The module aims to provide students with an understanding of the Anglo-American security relationship since the Second World War. It aims to acquaint them with the voluminous literature on this topic that contains a variety of views and interpretations on the substance of the so-called ‘Special Relationship’. The module aims to enable students to critically engage with debates about the significance of this inter-state relationship.Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding:
* Students will develop knowledge and understanding of the Anglo-American security relationship and contending debates about its significance.
Intellectual and transferrable skills:
* Students will develop the intellectual skill of weighing different arguments and drawing their own conclusions.
* Students will develop the intellectual skill of thinking critically about the connection between International Relations theories and a security case study.
* Students will develop independent research skills and written communication skills.
* Students will develop transferable skills such as verbal reasoning and group teamwork through participation in weekly seminars.
Digital competencies:
* Students will develop transferable information technology skills by the use of Moodle electronic resources for the module.
Conveners
- Professor Andrew Mumford
- Prof Gareth Wyn Rees