This course is designed to introduce students to the study of American Foreign Policy. The syllabus is structured to cover the major paradigms, issues and discussions in this body of work. The topics covered include the mainsprings of foreign policymaking in the United States; major conflicts, periods and events in history; and, different (sometimes contradictory) perspectives on the causes and outcomes of American actions in the international arena. The main goal of the class is to expose students to the theoretical and policy debates in the field as well as to encourage them to actively use these frameworks and enhance their understanding of the daily events in the making and consequences of American Foreign Policy. In addition, we will explore the latest US statistics to learn more about special topics such as military sales to foreign countries, and military personnel and expenditures while comparing some of these data with those from other countries. 

There are two main topics we will cover in this course. We will start with theories of foreign policy making. Here, we will explore the general causes that drive foreign policymaking. These causes can be related to the international realm (external pressures), to domestic politics (domestic pressures) or to the organization and workings of the bureaucracy (bureaucratic politics) if we look into the black box of the state. Second, we will focus on the major policy debates and critical foreign policy decisions and outcomes. In this section, we will examine the causes and implications of the US’s role in world affairs in the Cold War and the post-Cold War period. 

Learning Objectives

  • Identify basic concepts and theories in American Foreign Policy, such as liberal internationalism, hegemony, exceptionalism and retrenchment; 
  • Recall IR theories and concepts from our introduction classes that apply to American foreign policy, including but not limited to power politics, hegemonic theory, and national interest;
  • Explain foreign policy decisions by analyzing core ideas and theories in American Foreign Policy and breaking down US actions to historical periods;
  • Use the most recent domestic and international statistics to compare and contrast the US’s standing in military and economic affairs to other countries.