History 266: The United States in World Affairs
Instructor: Mr. William Mood

Faculty Contact Information: Bill's Homepage, email: wmood@faculty.ed.umuc.edu

Course Materials:

Walter LaFeber, The American Age. US Foreign Policy at Home and Abroad 1750 to the Present. 2 Edition (W.W. Norton, 1994) ISBN 0-393-96474-4

Note: Textbooks can be ordered online at the Asia DE Web site, https://de.asia.umuc.edu/textbookinfo.cfm. Books ordered from any other source will be at the students own risk. UMUC Asia DE cannot be responsible for problems encountered when textbooks are ordered from sources outside of the Asia DE Web site.

Supplemental Material Available on the Web

• Constitution of the United States
• Diplomacy 1778 to the present (Avalon Project, Yale University)
• Diplomacy and American Foreign Policy
• Our Documents
• Presidential Papers

Course Description:

A study of the United States as an emerging world power and of the domestic response to the nation's changing status in world affairs. Emphasis is on the internal and external development of the nation.

Course Goals/Objectives:

Upon the successful completion of this class, students will be able to:

• explain the fundamental purposes and principles of U.S. foreign policy
• identify the major issues, individuals, and institutions that have shaped American foreign policy
• explain the reasons and processes of American territorial expansion-across the continent and overseas
• discuss the causes and consequences of America's major wars
• describe and explain manifestations of American "isolationism" and internationalism
• cite examples of how domestic factors influenced the course of American foreign relations
• identify and discuss conflicting scholarly interpretations of U.S. foreign policy
• identify and explain the complexity of the decision-making process in American foreign policy
• demonstrate the ability to historically and critically analyze contemporary foreign policy issues and to express these thoughts through effective writing

Course Introduction:

This course traces the historical development of American foreign policy from the time of the American Revolution to the present, creating a framework within which students can examine the evolution of American ideology and the changing role of the United States in world affairs. Using a combination of official government records, diplomatic correspondence, films, diaries, and newspaper reports, students will analyze domestic debates about economic policy and international issues that accompanied America's rise to a world power. Special emphasis will be placed on analyzing those individuals that have shaped both the policy-making decisions and the political movements of their time. Topics will include: isolationism versus interventionism, free trade versus protectionism, imperialism and manifest destiny, as well as globalization and collective security. For a brief video overview of the course, click here.

Grading Information and Criteria:

Two Short Primary Source Essays (20%)
Class Participation (30%)
Group Project (10%)
A 5-8 page Paper (15%)
Proctored Final (25%)

The grading scale, based on 100 points, is:

A = 90-100 points
B = 80-89 points
C = 70-79 points
D = 60-69 points
F = 0-59 points

Project Descriptions:

Primary Source Analysis

In this course we will discuss many primary sources, first hand accounts of events. The primary source analysis exercises gives you an opportunity to analyze selected documents in short two-page essays. Your analysis should include a brief summary of the document, a discussion of key terms and a comment on its historical significance. For a good introduction to the use of primary sources, see the National Archives site, especially the written document analysis worksheet.

Term Paper

In your five-page term paper, you will investigate a contemporary foreign policy issue. We will discuss possible topics in class, for example terrorism, trade policy, international copyright, foreign wars, etc. Be creative in your selection of a research subject; but remember that, in a short paper, you must narrow your topic as much as possible. A paper on the Olympic Games and foreign policy would be too broad. You could, however, focus on one Olympic game, or a specific event, a national committee, etc. Frame your topic in the form of a question: "How did the 1968 Olympics reflect cold war tension?" If you are interested in German-American relations, use the primary sources below to develop a topic.

• Foreign Relations of the United States: Electronic Facsimile (1861-1960)
• FRUS Volume XV, Germany and Berlin. Also see Germany and the Cold War
• National Security Archives

Regardless of your topics, it is important that you support your argument with appropriate secondary sources, such as your textbook. For academic secondary sources, go to the UMUC Online library. Use the chat function to talk with the librarians who will help you find materials related to your topic. See the Bill's grading rubrics to ensure that you are using appropriate materials.

Keep in mind that articles in Encarta or Wikipedia are not considered academic sources. Relying too heavily on dubious internet sites and online encyclopedias for information is a sign of poor research skills. Your final paper should demonstrate mastery of the topic, use of proper formatting style with endnotes, and solid English skills. If this is your first college paper, work through The Nuts & Bolts of College Writing. Also, refer to the Effective Writing Center.

Group Projects

The group projects will investigate the relationship between the media and foreign policy based on material in the UMUC newspaper databases, such as the historical New York Times or Wall Street Journal. Each group will look at one aspect of contemporary US foreign policy (Balkans, Afghanistan, etc). 

Topics/Reading Schedule:

Course Schedule for History 266
Term 1, 2006/2007, Sept 04, 2006 - Dec 03, 2006

*NOTE: The following schedule is tentative. All changes will be posted to WebTycho. Audio/Video links are not required. But if you have a fast internet connection, you can watch A Biography of America online. Viewing is free, but you will be asked to register. Despite all the web links, keep in mind that the proctored final exam will be based on your textbook and class discussion. 
 

Proctored Exam Information:

All Web courses have a required proctored examination. Students are responsible for scheduling their appointment to test with the UMUC Field Rep office where they registered for their classes, during the two weeks prior to Proctored Exam Week. For complete instructions regarding proctored exam procedures go to the Asia DE Web site at http://de.asia.umuc.edu and select the “Proctored Exams" link.

Computer-Based Proctored Exams are available only for students testing at designated UMUC Asia Computer Labs (ask your local UMUC Asia Field Rep or Computer Lab Monitor if their location is participating), and only during the scheduled Proctored Exam period. All other students must be administered paper exams.

Contact Information:

For administrative assistance, contact: de@asia.umuc.edu 
SDES students should contact: de@asia.umuc.edu 
For WebTycho assistance, contact: tycho@asia.umuc.edu. 
For WebTycho assistance on Saturdays and Sundays: tychosupport@umuc.edu 
For proctored exam procedure information, please visit the DE Asia Website at http://de.asia.umuc.edu and click on 'Proctored Exams'.

Support for Asian Division Students is also available by phone at 225-3696 (DSN) or 81-42-552-2510 Ext. 5-3696 (international comm.), Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (JST).

Academic Policies:

Academic Policies are not course specific and are therefore created and housed separately from this syllabus. You may access and print Academic Policies from the Syllabus sub-menu in your classroom.