IS 310 - American Foreign Policy

Instructor: Dr. Timothy J. Passmore
Location: Online Synchronous & Asynchronous See Details Below
Date/Time: Monday-Friday 9:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Credit Hours: 3

The central purpose of this course is to familiarize cadets with prevalent theoretical approaches to decision-making and to use these models to examine the American foreign policy experience. To this end, the course will survey rational, organizational, bureaucratic, and various psychological perspectives. Cadets will then use these tools to critically review the historical development of America’s relations with other international actors, including Washington’s admonition to steer clear of “foreign entanglements,” the world wars, the Cold War, and the current battle against terror. The course concludes with several mock policy debates which are designed to illustrate the intricacies of high-level decision-making and provide insights into the likely conduct of US foreign policy in the 21st Century.

Remote Summer Session I Delivery Method: Synchronous and Asynchronous

Roughly one third of classes will be synchronous (Zoom) while the remainder will involve lecture videos and other assignments posted to Canvas to include discussion boards, response videos, and other typical assignments (quizzes, papers, etc.).

Software needs: None beyond Canvas and Zoom

Textbook:

Kaufman, Joyce P. A Concise History of American Foreign Policy, 4^th Ed. Required.
Fettweis, Christopher J. The Pathologies of Power. Required

Final Exam: June 19th 8 - 11 a.m.