POLS 0008. American Foreign Policy
Units: 3
Hours: 54 lecture
Overview of American diplomatic history and the politics of foreign policy formation and implementation. Survey of contemporary international issues confronting the U.S. (CSU, UC)
POLS 0008 - American Foreign Policy
http://catalog.sierracollege.edu/course-outlines/pols-0008/
Catalog Description Hours: 54 lecture Description: Overview of American diplomatic history and the politics of foreign policy formation and implementation. Survey of contemporary international issues confronting the U.S. (CSU, UC) Course Student Learning Outcomes CSLO #1: Discuss the relevance of American diplomatic history to contemporary U.S. foreign policy. CSLO #2: Assess the power of domestic governmental and social actors in crafting U.S. foreign policy. CSLO #3: Apply relevant theories and decision making models to specific examples of U.S. foreign policy. CSLO #4: Contrast various policy tools and methods of employment. CSLO #5: Summarize the interests pursued and policies employed by the United States abroad. CSLO #6: Critically evaluate U.S. foreign policy. Effective Term Fall 2024 Course Type Credit - Degree-applicable Contact Hours 54 Outside of Class Hours 108 Total Student Learning Hours 162 Course Objectives At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to: 1. Discuss the concept of national interest in terms of security, material benefits and values; 2. Categorize events in American diplomatic history in terms of major themes such as isolationism, republicanism and expansionism; 3. Contrast U.S. policy during the Cold War to policy after 9/11; 4. Apply relevant theories and decision making models to specific examples of U.S. foreign policy; 5. Analyze the roles and interaction of key governmental bodies in forming and implementing policy; 6. Compare the foreign policies of contemporary Presidents; 7. Compose a policy statement that would protect and/or promote U.S. interests in a given crisis; 8. Evaluate the ability of actors in society to influence policy; 9. Differentiate the policy tools available to the U.S. in conducting relations with the world; 10. Describe the policies employed and interests pursued by the U.S. in the security realm (including war, alliances and terrorism); 11. Describe the policies employed and interests pursued by the U.S. in the economic realm (including trade and environment); 12. Describe the policies employed and interests pursued by the U.S. in the area of human rights and democracy; 13. Evaluate the merits of current U.S. policy. General Education Information Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability AA/AS - Social Sciences CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval) CSUGE - D Social Sciences CSUGE - D8 Pol Sci/Govt/Lgl In Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval) IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval) IGETC - 4 Soc./Behav Sciences IGETC - 4H Pol Sci/Govt/Lgl In Articulation Information CSU Transferable UC Transferable Methods of Evaluation Classroom Discussions Example: Students will be required to post to instructor's questions on the discussion board, demonstrating command of the material. Example: Why are lame ducks foreign policy activists? Graded based on effective references to and applications of this concept. Essay Examinations Example: In-class, written exam consisting of IDs, short answers, paragraphs and essays. Example: define imperial presidency. Graded with rubric summarizing the chief executives accumulated powers and their significance to foreign policy. Objective Examinations Example: 30 multiple choice questions on foreign policy makers. Example: The role played by the judiciary in U.S. foreign policy is best described as: a) central; b) marginal; c) dependent on powers delegated to it by the president; or, d) similar to that of Congress. Correct answers indicate students can compare the significance of different political actors in the policy making process. Reports Example: Students are to research a topic in U.S. foreign policy using primary sources from which they distill a summary of the issue and current U.S. policy. Students will be expected to evaluate the merits of foreign policy by applying the relevant concepts brought up in the learning materials. Rubric Grading. Repeatable No Methods of Instruction Lecture/Discussion Distance Learning Lecture: Instructor will divide students into groups, assign them roles and move them through the many stages of a simulation of crisis decision making. Students will then be expected to write an essay reflecting the insights they gained. Distance Learning Instructor will provide students with text and audio-visual learning materials (e.g. videos, PowerPoint, lecture notes) supported by textbook chapters on executive-legislative relations. Students will need to use this material to effectively participate in discussions that the instructor will monitor to provide clarification and correction when needed. Typical Out of Class Assignments Reading Assignments 1. Read chapter 4 on the Executive Branch and come to class prepared to discuss relevant actors. 2. Read opinion piece from newspaper about U.S. leadership and discuss merits in class. Writing, Problem Solving or Performance 1. Write an essay describing U.S. interests to explain policy at a particular time in U.S. history. 2. Simulate the crisis decision-making process in class and present the president with the results. Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.) Required Materials American Foreign Policy: The Dynamics of Choice in the 21st Century Author: Bruce Jentleson Publisher: Norton Publication Date: 2014 Text Edition: 5th Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: American Foreign Policy Author: Glenn Hastedt Publisher: Prentice Hall Publication Date: 2020 Text Edition: 12th Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: Contemporary American Foreign Policy Author: Mansbach & Taylor Publisher: CQ Press Publication Date: 2016 Text Edition: 1st Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: US Foreign Policy Author: Donald Snow Publisher: Rowman Littlefield Publication Date: 2017 Text Edition: 5th Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: US Foreign Policy Author: Steven Hook Publisher: CQ Press Publication Date: 2019 Text Edition: 6th Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.
Course Identification Numbering System (C-ID)
...0215L POLS 110 POLS 0001 POLS 120 POLS...0002 COMM 130 COMM 0008 COMM 140 COMM...
