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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 330"
COURSE NAME: "American Foreign Policy"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2022
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Diego Pagliarulo
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 6:00 PM 7:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: PL 209
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
A study of major foreign policy issues which have confronted the United States since World War II and the process of foreign policy formulation and implementation.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
An introduction to the study of American foreign policy. After a historical overview emphasizing enduring themes of American foreign policy, the course explores the US policy-making process and examines the impact of domestic political actors and institutions - Congress, the bureaucracy, interest groups, public opinion, and the media - on the substance of America’s foreign and national security policy. We will then explore the challenges to creating a comprehensive foreign policy for the 21st century, with a special emphasis on the Obama to Trump administrations. More topical subjects will include the America’s Middle Eastern policy, transatlantic relations, the US-Russian relationship, counter-terrorism, humanitarian emergencies, the dangers of nuclear proliferation, and the rise of China, among others.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  1. Mastery of the key concepts that inform the debate around America’s role in the world.

  2. Knowledge of the evolution of US foreign policy since the end of WWII.

  3. A critical understanding of the domestic sources of US foreign policy.

  4. A critical understanding of the major foreign policy and national security challenges currently faced by the US.

  5. The ability to articulate the case for a specific response to a foreign policy challenge.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
US Foreign Policy 3rd EditionMichael Cox and Doug StokesOxford University Press978-0198707578     
The Domestic Sources of American Foreign Policy: Insights and Evidence (7th edtion)James M. McCormickRowman & Littlefield978-1442275362 E-book available through the Frohring Library website: https://jculibrary.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1005010467    
US Foreign Policy since 1945 2nd EditionAlan P. Dobson and Steve MarshRoutledge978-0415386418 E-book available through the Frohring Library website: https://jculibrary.on.worldcat.org/oclc/84837014    
Prisoners of Geography. Ten Maps That Explain Everything About the WorldTim MarshallScribner978-1501121470 E-book available through the Frohring Library website: https://jculibrary.on.worldcat.org/oclc/910968052    
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
American Foreign Policy Since World War II (21st edition)Steven W. Hook and John SpanierCQ Press978-1544326856E744 .H646 2019 

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Attendance and ParticipationAs the course is intended to develop on a seminar-like basis, the grade reflects how often and well-prepared students come to class. Absences, scarce preparedness, passive and poor contribution to class discussion, and inappropriate conduct will negatively affect the grade.15%
Briefing MemoA policy oriented biriefing memo on an issue relating to current events and US foreign policy. Max. 1,500 words/6 double spaced pages. The topic will be announced during the semester. 25%
Midterm ExamThe exam is scheduled for week VIII. The exam will be in-class and closed-book, and will serve to test the improvement of students’ knowledge of the issues covered in the first part of the course (i.e. readings and class discussions).25%
Research MemoMax 3,000 words/12 double spaced pages Recommended: topics related to Part V of the course. The grade is a combination of an oral presentation and a related take-home essay (max 3,000 words) based on a previously assigned topic. In the essay students are expected to expand the presentation’s themes and put them in relation to the evolution of post-WWII US foreign policy.35%
Optional EssaysMax 3 essays (700 words each), 1 point added to the overall earned grade for each assignment completed: - Movie analysis.Vice, directed by Adam McKay (2018). - Reports on events concerning the course content organized by JCU or other institutions. (Max 2 reports.)0%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

 

 

 

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________

 

1. Attendance is a fundamental component of your class participation grade. More than two absences will directly affect your class participation grade (and indirectly affect your other assessments).

2. Particularly active and constructive participation in class can round up your overall grade.

3. Readings are mandatory assignments and must be done in advance. 

4. Recommended readings and documents provided by the instructor via Moodle are not compulsory assignments. However, they can be useful sources of inspiration for debates, papers, and independent research projects.

5. Students are invited to consult leading newspapers, journals and magazines to keep informed with ongoing news related to US foreign policy. 

6. Group works require active participation. Failure to perform shared tasks or to show up will be considered a sign of disrespect toward colleagues. This kind of behavior is strongly discouraged. It will bring down your grade and may complicate your colleagues’ performances.

7. Punctuality is expected in turning in the papers, which need to be submitted in Moodle for instructor comments. Late papers are penalized unless a valid justification - such as serious health or personal concerns - is provided by the student.

8. The use of traditional notebooks and notetaking is encouraged. Laptops and other electronic devices are allowed for the sole purpose of taking notes and enhancing participation during classes.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

The course schedule may be subject to revisions and updates

Week

Topic

Assignment

Part 1 The Foundations of America’s Power and International Role

1

Course intro

The Geography of American Power

Read:

  • Marshall, Chapter 3.

Recommended:

  • Cox, Chapter 1.

2

America’s power and purpose: a long-term perspective

Read:


Recommended:


Debate: Internationalists vs Isolationists.

Part 2 America and the World Since World War II

3

America’s Rise to Global Power

Read:

  • Cox, Chapter 4 and 6 pp. 76-90.

  • Dobson, Chapter 2.

.

Recommended:

4

America and the Cold War

Read:

  • Cox Chapter 6, pp. 90-96;

  • Dobson, Chapter 3.

  • McCormick, Chapter 17.


Recommended:

  • Dwight D. Eisenhower: "Address "The Chance for Peace" Delivered Before the American Society of Newspaper Editors.," April 16, 1953. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project, http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=9819

  • Dwight D. Eisenhower: "Farewell Radio and Television Address to the American People," January 17, 1961. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project, http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=12086 .

  • John F. Kennedy, “Commencement Address at American University in Washington,” June 10, 1963. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project, http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=9266

  • Ronald Reagan, “Remarks at the Annual Convention of the National Association of Evangelicals in Orlando, Florida,” Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/262885


Briefing Memo due

5

From 11/9 to 9/11 - America and the “Unipolar Moment”

Read:

  • Cox, Chapter 7.

  • Dobson: Chapter 9.

  • McCormick, Chapter 20.


Recommended:

6

American Foreign Policy After Iraq and the Financial Crisis: Obama, Trump, and Biden.

Read:


Recommended:


Debate: US Foreign Policy in the Post-Cold War Era: Continuity and Change

7

Mid-term Assessment

  • Midterm Review.

  • Midterm Exam.

Part 3 - The Politics of American Foreign Policy

8

The Presidency and Congress

Read:

  • One of the following: McCormick, Chapter 9, 10, 12.

  • James Goldgeier and Elizabeth Saunders, “The Unconstrained Presidency: Checks and Balances Eroded Long Before Trump,” Foreign Affairs, Vol. 97, Issue 5 (Sep/Oct 2018), https://jculibrary.on.worldcat.org/oclc/7826448089 .


Recommended:

  • Dobson, Chapter 1.

9

The Foreign Policy and National Security Apparatus.

Read:

On the national security apparatus:

  • One of the following: McCormick, Chapter 11, 14-15.

On the State Department and the Pentagon:

10

Lobbies, the Media, and Public Opinion

Read:


Debate: TBA

Part 4 - The United States and the World

11

America’s role in Europe


Case study: The US and Russia.

  • Cox, Chapter 13 or 23.

12

America and the Middle East


Case Study: The War on Terror

Read:


Recommended:

  • Cox, Chapter 18.

13

America and the Asia-Pacific


Case Study: The US and China’s Rise

Read:

14

Economic Statecraft and US Foreign Policy


America and the Liberal World Order

Read:

On Economic Statecraft:


Recommended:

  • Cox, Chapter 5.


On the US and the Liberal Order:


Recommended:

  • Cox, Chapter 25.


Debate: The Future of American Foreign Policy - Maximalists vs Retrenchers.

15

Final Exams