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.
Each week modules will be added to this digital syllabus that reflect classroom discussion and your personal interest in a subject area. The modules together with the standard syllabus form a unique digital record, or dynamic syllabus that will be constantly revised and updated.
Unlike a standard pencil & paper syllabus, a dynamic syllabus requires you to be actively involved in the learning process. You must judge how to integrate the objectives of this course into your learning goals and contribute to the course through class participation. In other words, you are helping to create an electronic record that reflects your current interests. By revising the record, you will be able to use it in future courses.
TEXT
H. William Brands. The United States in the World: A History of American Foreign Policy. Vols. 1 & 2, Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1994.
Document Collections:
- Amdocs: Documents for the Study of American History
- Basic Readings in U.S. Democracy available at [civnet.org]
- Center for Studies of Intelligence: Publications
- Diplomacy 1778 to the present (Avalon Project, Yale University)
- Foreign Relations of the United States (State Department)
- Foreign Relations of the United States: Electronic Facsimile
- Modern History Source Book (Paul Halshall)
- The Constitution of the United States. Analysis and Interpretation (Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress)
OBJECTIVES: In this course, you will:
- Improve your understanding of American foreign policy by identifying key events and people associated with a particular historical period.
- Develop your analytical skills and understanding of the study of history by reading primary sources and by writing a paper.
- Evaluate internet sources regarding US foreign policy.
- Analyze contemporary foreign policy issues.
- Learn how to locate information using library databases.
GRADING
Class participation (15%)
PowerPoint Project (15%)
Two Short Primary Source Essays (20%)
Final (25%)
Short Paper (5-8 pages) and presentation (25%), FormatCLASS PROCEDURES
You are expected to come to class and to complete reading assignments as indicated on the general outline. Missed classes mean missed assignments. Regular attendance is therefore important and comprises part of your class participation grade. You can not participate unless you are present. Should you miss the final exam because of an emergency or military duty, you must contact me before the last day of class to request an incomplete (I). If you do not request an incomplete, you will automatically receive a grade of F(n) (failure for non-attendance).
NOTE: You are not allowed to use a mobile phone in the classroom.
OFFICE HOURS: Before class on scheduled class days.
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