United States Foreign Policy
2007-2008
Dr. Brown
463-2201, ext. 321
browns@albanyacademyforgirls.org
Course Description
The purpose of this course is to trace the development of United States foreign policy from its changing role during World War II to its present state. Some of the issues we will need to discuss and make sense of include: how and why did American foreign policy shift dramatically during and after World War II? What was the Cold War and how did it affect American foreign policy? Why and when did the United States become a global policeman? How have crises in the Middle East shaped our current foreign policy trends? How has a policy of “preemptive strike” challenged American foreign policy? Our texts include: Stephen Ambrose and Douglas Brinkley, Rise to Globalism , Samuel Beckett, Waiting For Godot , and collateral sources.
Course Evaluation
Students will complete in-class midterm and final exams, a paper that investigates our unit on Beckett and the “Theater of the Absurd,” papers that explore foreign policy issues found in three films, and five homework paragraph responses. The paragraphs are worth five points each, and students will lose a point per class day for late papers. Participation is crucial and will be monitored closely; in order to succeed, you must come to class prepared to discuss the topics found in your readings.
Grade Distribution
Exams 25%
Beckett Paper 25%
Film-related Papers 20%
Homework Paragraphs 15%
Participation 15%
Syllabus
November 26(65)
Introduction to the Course
HW: Ambrose, 1-14
November 27
WWII: From Isolation to Internationalism
HW: Ambrose, 15-52
HW: Write a paragraph that analyzes how the atomic bomb might have been used as a diplomatic device instead of solely a military weapon.
November 28
WWII: Atomic Diplomacy (video: “Civilians at War”)
HW: Brinkley Article
November 29
Liberalism at Home and Abroad
HW: Ambrose, 75-94
December 3(65)
The Cold War and the Truman Doctrine
HW: Ambrose, 95-126
HW: Write a paragraph that explores some of the diplomatic and foreign policy “shocks” that occurred during 1949.
December 4
1949-1953: Cold War “Shocks” and the Korean Conflict
HW: Ambrose, 127-150
December 5
Ike's 1950s (video: “Happy Daze”)
December 6
Ike's Other 1950s
HW: Beckett , Waiting For Godot
December 10(65)
Theater of the Absurd: Its Ties to Foreign Policy
HW: Theater of the Absurd Paper, DUE December 20
December 11
“Dr. Strangelove”
December 12
“Dr. Strangelove”
December 13
Discussion of film and related concepts
December 17(65)
“Fail Safe”
December 18
“Fail Safe”
December 19
“Fail Safe”
Discussion
December 20
Informal Discussion: Winter Break Begins Today
Theater of the Absurd Papers Due
HW: Ambrose, 171-189 (please do this leisurely over break)
January 7(65)
JFK's New Frontier
HW: Ambrose, 190-223)
January 8
The Origins of the Vietnam War
HW: Write a paragraph that explains the American military strategy in Vietnam. What was that strategy and how was it expected to work?
January 9
The Vietnam Quagmire and the Age of Disillusionment
HW: Ambrose, 224-252
January 10
The Nixon Doctrine and “Peace With Honor”
January 14(65)
“Platoon”
HW: Film-related Essay, Due January 24
January 15
“Platoon”
January 16
“Platoon”
Discussion
Study for the Midterm Exam
January 17
MIDTERM EXAM
January 23
“Munich, 1972”
HW: Film-related Essay, Due January 31
January 24
“Munich, 1972”
HW: Ambrose, 281-302
“Platoon” Essay Due
January 28(65)
Carter: Peace in the Middle East? (video: “The 1970s”)
HW: Ambrose, 303-351
HW: Write a paragraph that outlines Reagan's suspicions of the Soviets and the reasons why he chose to label the Soviet Union the “Evil Empire.”
January 29
Reagan vs. the Evil Empire
January 30
The Reagan Revolution
January 31
“With God On Their Side”
HW: Film-related Essay, Due February 14
“Munich, 1972” Essay Due
February 4(65)
“With God On Their Side”
February 5
“With God On Their Side”
Discussion
HW: Ambrose, 381-428
February 6
Bush I: The New World Order
HW: Write a paragraph that outlines some of the foreign policy initiatives employed by the Clinton Administration.
February 7
The Clintonian Mission: An Amalgam of Foreign Policies
February 11(65)
The Shift to the Middle East
HW: Friedman Article
February 12
The Impact of September 11, 2001
February 13
“In Memoriam, 9-11”
February 14
“In Memoriam, 9-11”
Discussion
“With God On Their Side” Essay Due
February 19
Iraq II: Motivations, Real and Illusory
HW: False Hope On-Line Article
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2007/083107.html
February 20
Iraq II: Shock and Awe
February 21
Iraq II: Iraq in All Its Guises
HW: Study for Final Exam
February 25(65)
FINAL EXAM
February 26
“The War Within”
February 27
“The War Within”
February 28
Course Evaluation and Wrap Up