Political Science: Making Foreign Policy

Examines varied topics concerning international relations and the international system in a seminar format. May repeat for credit with different content. Topics vary by offering; periodic offering at intervals that may exceed four years. Prerequisites: POLS 1500 or POLS 1015; three hours of Political Science at the 2000-level.

Prereqs enforced by the system: POLS 1500 or POLS 1015; Additional prereq: three hours at 2000-level; Minimum Junior standing. Open to Jr/Sr POLS majors only until April 9th. PACE students by permission and override.

The world is currently experiencing major geopolitical change and with it, we've seen a seismic shift in US foreign policy. What has led to these changes and how can we understand the future of US foreign policy? In this course, we will explore the factors that shape foreign policy, starting with a close examination of the foreign policy bureaucracy, including the National Security Council, the State and Defense Departments, and the Intelligence community. We will examine how bureaucrats and advisors influence presidents and their decisionmaking. We will then examine the role of Congress in making foreign policy, as well as how interest groups exert influence through members of Congress. We will also explore the role of public opinion, the media, and foreign policy elites. Finally, we will consider how elections impact foreign policy, debating whether they hold presidents accountable or incentivize decisions contrary to the national interest. Along the way, we’ll learn about major historical events, such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the decisions that led to and followed them.

This is a seminar and all students are expected to do the reading, attend class, and participate actively during the discussion. In this course, you will (1) develop an understanding of the history of American foreign policy, (2) examine the forces and processes that affect foreign policy, (3) assess theories of foreign policymaking and apply them to current events, (4) and acquire skills in conducting research, formulating an argument and expressing it in both written and oral form.

Active participation and attendance, answers to discussion questions for each class, 3 in-class written quizzes, two 8-10 page research papers, a 30-page research paper that incorporates revised versions of the earlier papers, and a 10-15 minute presentation on your research.