This course examines the development, implementation, and consequences of American foreign policy. It analyzes the actors who make American foreign policy, concentrating both on government sources such as the president, Congress, and the foreign policy bureaucracy, as well as external sources such as public opinion, interest groups, and the media. The course examines key events in U.S. foreign policy history through the lens of 'policy choice.' What choices did U.S. foreign policy makers confront? What policy did they choose to implement and why? What were the consequences of that policy? Utilizing the lessons from these historical case studies, the course then examines the current challenges and dilemmas that confront the United States. Some of these include U.S. relations with China, Russia, and the European Union, energy politics, the Arab-Israeli crisis, weapons of mass destruction and rogue states, terrorism, democracy promotion, and the global response to US foreign policy. In exploring each of these current challenges and dilemmas, this course attempts to understand the policies and strategies the U.S. utilizes to secure its interests and achieve its objectives.
Lessons
40 @ 55 min (2.500 Att/wk)
Labs
0 @ 0 min
Special requirements
3,500-word case study of American foreign policy, with graded bibliography and outline; compensatory time provided.
