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PSC 210: US Foreign Policy - 1900-Present

Course Prefix

Course Number

Course Title

Lec-Lab

Credit Hours

PSC

210

US Foreign Policy--1900--Present

1 - 0

3

Course Description

This course will focus on the development and questions regarding the historical context and future course of American Foreign Policy. The first part of the course will be to study theories of foreign policy in the international context. The second part of the course will look at the "process" of foreign policy in the US. Next, we will devote time to looking at U.S. foreign policy from a historical perspective through the current administration. Finally, we will try to predict the future course and goals of U.S. foreign policy from the viewpoint of the next administration.

Topical Outline

  1. The International Community
  2. Goals of U.S. Foreign Policy
  3. Models of Policymaking
  4. The Domestic Context of Foreign Policy
  5. The Constitution and Foreign Policy
  6. The Policymaking Process and Bureaucracy
  7. The Economic Instruments of Foreign Policy 
  8. The History of Foreign Policy--Washington to Bush
  9. The Future of Foreign Policy 
  10. Globalism And Foreign Policy

Method of Presentation

  1. Lecture 
  2. Directed discussion
  3. Films
  4. Videos
  5. Articles
  6. Student Presentations

Student Outcomes (The student should…)

  1. explain the role of the United States in a global contest.
  2. explain and analyze the goals of United States foreign policy and how these goals are decided upon and achieved.
  3. explain United States foreign policy from a historical perspective and note the changes and rationale for these changes. 
  4. attempt to provide a reasonable, logical, and cohesive projection of how foreign policy should/will continue in the future.

Method of Evaluation

  1. Exams
  2. Paper
  3. In-class presentations
  4. Discussion

Textbook

Hastedt, Glenn, American Foreign Policy: Past, Present,Future, 6th ed., Prentice Hall, 2006.

Prepared by: Richard Krupa Fall, 2007