POLI 1305 American Foreign Policy

Abstract

(Unofficial) Course Description: This course analyzes the content and formulation of US foreign policy. The course will begin by looking at the concept of “American exceptionalism.” Then we will look at the mechanics of US foreign policy, including the roles of the State Department, Defense Department, Intelligence Community, President, and Congress. After that we will look at the history of American foreign policy— and because this is not a history class, we will focus on the consistent questions, themes, and debates that have existed from the foundation of the republic until the present day. However, our focus will be on the post WWII era. After the midterm we will look at current US foreign policy with a focus both on particular regions and on particular problems.