Origins of U.S. Foreign Policy
POLS 429
Jocelyn Parkhurst, Ph.D.
Course Description and Objectives
U.S. foreign policy has moved through times of isolationism to eras of intervention. Currently, the U.S. holds the position of being the world’s only superpower economically and militarily and is using this power to spread western democracy and capitalism. This course explores the development of U.S. foreign policy from the early years of WWII, through the Cold War era, into the 21st century and the new dilemmas that face the U.S.. Both the relationship between the U.S. and international organizations and domestic influences on foreign policy are considered. The role of nuclear weapons as a deterrent structure is explored as well as the possible use of these weapons in the war on terrorism. Throughout the course, attention is given to the theories of “realism” and “idealism” and their conflicting policy suggestions. The move towards intervention in other countries’ domestic affairs is discussed as well as the integration of domestic and foreign policies through the U.S. Patriot Act and other anti-terrorism measures.
Course Requirements
The instructor believes that people learn best when they interact with information, thus creating a solid knowledge base. As such, the first step to each week is reading the chapter and taking a short quiz online. Once an 80% has been achieved on the quiz, class notes are released to the student which can be used for note taking in class. The classroom interaction will then focus on concepts, issues, and information that go beyond the text, involving discussions, simulations, videos, movies, games, etc. In-class discussions are integral to the learning process and are a major part of the in-class participation grade. In addition, the online discussions and activities have their own grading component. The mid-term and final will both be take home exams. There will also be a paper on a chosen week’s readings with an oral presentation of 10 minutes on the week the material is discussed (a handout will be passed out for this assignment). Each student will pick a day in advance that they will present their research, with a thesis, rough draft and final paper due date (see syllabus). A sign up sheet will be made available online on a first come, first serve basis. In addition, three short modules reflecting the integration of classroom knowledge and internet sources will be presented on an online platform in the form of short essays (4 fully developed paragraphs) based on prompts provided by the instructor with in-class discussions reflecting this information. The final grade breakdown is as follows:
Midterm 10%
Final 10%
Research Paper, Presentation, & Thesis 20%
Modules 15%
Class Participation 15%
Online Participation 15%
Online Quizzes 15%
Required Text and Readings
There are multiple aspects to the readings for this course. It is expected that the readings from the texts will be done prior to the class date for which they are assigned, enabling the students and instructor to enter into discussions reflecting information gleaned from the texts. Some weeks will also have additional readings from internet sources or reserve articles that will be incorporated into the classroom discussion. In addition, students are expected to read the New York Times (free online at www.nyt.com – can be delivered each morning to your email address) in order to be current with international events. Happenings in international politics and foreign affairs will be an integral part of each day’s discussion. As international relations and the formation of foreign policy are fluid and ever changing processes, new readings may be added to the syllabus throughout the semester—these will be announced in class and changed on the on-line syllabus within the Prometheus platform.
Texts:
Ambrose, Stephen E., and Douglas G. Brinkley. 1997. Rise to Globalism: American Foreign Policy Since 1938, eighth edition. New York: Penguin Books.
Jentleson, Bruce W. 2004. American Foreign Policy: The Dynamics of Choice in the 21st Century. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.
Expectations:
The instructor does not tend to allow changes in the take home exam schedule as students are given ample time to get the exam turned in. If unforeseen circumstances deemed applicable by the instructor necessitate and extension, the student must inform the instructor before the due date of the exam. Late papers, modules, thesis, etc., will be deducted 10% after the first day and an additional 10% for each subsequent week late. Presentations must be done the week scheduled. Attendance influences the participation grade, and a tendency to miss class will mean a low participation grade.
Academic Misconduct
Plagiarism and cheating of any kind will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted according to university policy. Don’t do it. This means students should be sure not only not to use other people’s work, but when writing a paper, be sure to cite any information that is not your own thoughts or well known information, whether it is a quote or summarized information.
Disability Accommodation
Reasonable accommodations are available for students who have a documented disability. Please notify the instructor during the first week of the course of any accommodations needed for the course. Accommodations will be made according to university policy.
Course Outline
I. The Players: Who Decides, What Influences, and How It’s Done
Week One – Introduction to the Course; Realism vs. Idealism; Conservatism vs. Liberalism. Readings on WebCT
Week Two – The Strategic Context of U.S. Foreign Policy. Jentleson, Chpt. 1.
Week Three – The Domestic Context of U.S. Foreign Policy. Jenleson, Chpt. 2.
II. Historical Survey of U.S. Foreign Policy
Week Four – 1900 to 1945: Imperialism, isolationism, and economic nationalism. Rise to Globalism: “Introduction,” pp. ix-xiv; “The Twisting Path to War,” pp. 1-14; “The War is Europe,” pp. 15-34; “The War in Asia,” pp. 35-51; “The Beginnings of the Cold War,” pp. 52-74.; Jentelson Chpt. 3. Module #1
Week 5 – 1945 to 1960: Truman, the Bomb, and the Cold War begins. Rise to Globalism: “The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan,” pp. 75-94; “Containment Tested,” pp. 95-113; “Korea,” pp. 114-126; “Eisenhower, Dulles, and the Irreconcilable Conflict,” pp. 127-150; “From Hungary and Suez to Cuba,” pp. 151-170. Jentleson Chpt. 4.
Week 6 – 1960 to 1974: Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Vietnam. Rise to Globalism: “Kennedy and the New Frontiers,” pp. 171-189. “Vietnam: Paying the Cost of Containment,” pp. 190-223. “Nixon, Détente, and the Debacle in Vietnam,” pp. 224-253; “America in the Middle East and Africa,” pp. 254-280. Jentleson, Chpt 5 to pg. 169.
Week 7 – 1976 to 1989: Carter, Reagan, and the End of the Cold War. Rise to Globalism: “Carter and Human Rights,” pp. 281-302; “Reagan and the Evil Empire,” pp. 303-351. “The End of the Cold War,” pp. 352-380; . Jentleson Rest of Chpt 5. Module #2 due.
Week Eight – 1989 to 2000: Bush, Clinton, and a New World Order. Rise to Globalism: “Bush and the Gulf War,” pp. 381-397; “Clinton and Democratic Enlargement,” pp. 398-428. Jentleson Chpt. 6.
III. Non-Governmental Factors on Foreign Policy
Week Nine – Regional Dynamics, Terrorism, Non-state Actors and War
Jentlson, Chapter 7 (pp. 288-426). Readings for Thursday: pp. 629-639. Module #3
Week Ten – Building Peace with World Order: the U.S., the U.N. and Regional Organizations.
Jentlson, Chapter 8 (pp. 427-492). Readings for Thursday: pp. 640-652.
1st Draft of Policy Papers due Tuesday
Week Eleven – Globalization and Peaceful Prosperity. Jentlson, Chapter 9 (pp. 493-546). Readings for Thursday: pp. 653-664.
Week Twelve – Democratization and Human Rights: the Dynamics of Power and Peace. Jentlson, Chapter 10 (pp. 547-607). Readings for Thursday: pp. 674-693.
Weeks Fifteen and Sixteen – Simulation
Finals Week: Final Take-Home exam due exam day