AMERICA’S ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

AMST 420—SPRING 2005

 

Colin S. Cavell, Ph.D.                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Course Room No.:  S17-229

Class UT:  9:30-10:45                                                                                                                                                                                                                       INTERNET:  cscpo@arts.uob.bh

Office Hours:  By appointment                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Office No.:  S17-263

VOICE:  17438775 (W)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     17729091 (H)

                                                                                                                                       

A historical survey of America’s rise to international prominence and a discussion of its current place on the international scene and its stance on various regional and global issues

 

Grading Policy:  20% for Attendance*; 20% for the Class Presentation; 20% for the Midterm Exam; 20% for the Research Paper; and 20% for the Final Exam. A Guidelines sheet will be distributed outlining the requirements for your Class Presentation and for your Research Paper.

 

Attendance Policy*:  Attendance in class is mandatory.  It is the student’s responsibility to sign the attendance sheet each day of class; failure to sign the attendance sheet—even if in attendance—will be counted as an absence.  If your unexcused absences exceed 25% of the total number of lectures of the course in this semester, you will be automatically withdrawn from the course and be given a grade of (WF) which will be counted towards your GPA.  As well, you are expected to follow the syllabus and accordingly be prepared for each day's class.  This means that you must read the pre-assigned readings before class so that you will be prepared to discuss and debate in class the subject matter scheduled for that day and answer questions related to the issues being covered.  NOTE:  TURN OFF all cell phones during class.

 

* Absence from class may be made up by preparing a two-page, typed (i.e. using maximum 12 point font size and maximum double-spaced text with one-inch margin on all sides), summary on the missed material scheduled to be covered the day(s) of your absence.  The summary must be in your own words and must not be copied material from the text(s), the internet, or any other source(s).  Times New Roman font is strongly recommended; however, if you use an alternative style, make sure your font does not resemble italic or bold text.  Also, Comic Sans MS font is not allowed. 

 

Required Texts:

Ambrose, Stephen and Douglas Brinkley.  1997.  Rise to Globalism: American Foreign Policy Since 1938.  New York: Penguin.

Wittkopf, Eugene R. and Charles W. Kegley, Jr. and James M. Scott.  2003. American Foreign Policy: Pattern and Process, sixth edition, Belmont, CA:  Thomson/Wadsworth.

Cavell, Colin S.  2002.  Exporting ‘Made-In-America’ Democracy:  The National Endowment for Democracy & U.S. Foreign Policy.  Lanham, MD:  University Press of America, Inc.  [Provided by professor]

Cincotta, Howard, ed.  1994.  An Outline of American History.  Washington, D.C.:  United States Information Agency.  [Provided by professor]

 

Information USA [CD-ROM].  April 1999.  Washington, D.C.:  United States Information Agency.  [Provided by professor]

 

NOTE:  Readings for Class Discussion and Foreign Policy Readings are required readings.  Background Readings are optional.

 

Feb. 22:  Introduction to U.S. Foreign Policy:  History, Politics, and Choice

 

Feb. 27:  The Twisting Path to War

 

Readings for Class Discussion:  Ambrose, Ch. 1, “The Twisting Path to War”

Foreign Policy Readings:  Wittkopf, Kegley, Jr., and Scott, Ch. 1, “In Search of American Foreign Policy: A Thematic Introduction”

Background Readings:  Cavell, “Introduction”; and Cincotta, Ch. 1, “Early America”

 

Mar. 1:  The War in Europe

 

Readings for Class Discussion:  Ambrose, Ch. 2, “The War in Europe”

Foreign Policy Readings:  Wittkopf, Kegley, Jr., and Scott, Ch. 2, “Pattern and Process in American Foreign Policy: An Analytical Perspective”

Background Readings:  Cavell, Ch. I, “Democracy and Hegemony”; and Cincotta, Ch. 2, “The Colonial Period”

 

Mar. 6:  The War in Asia

 

Readings for Class Discussion:  Ambrose, Ch. 3, “The War in Asia”

Foreign Policy Readings:  Wittkopf, Kegley, Jr., and Scott, Ch. 3, “Principle, Power, and Pragmatism: The Goals of the American Foreign Policy in Historical Perspective”

Background Readings:  Cavell, Ch. I, “Democracy and Hegemony”; and Cincotta, Ch. 3, “The Road to Independence”

 

Mar. 8:  The Beginnings of the Cold War

 

Readings for Class Discussion:  Ambrose, Ch. 4, “The Beginnings of the Cold War”

Foreign Policy Readings:  Wittkopf, Kegley, Jr., and Scott, Ch. 4, “Instruments of Global Influence: Military Might and Interventionism”

Background Readings:  Cavell, Ch. I, “Democracy and Hegemony”; and Cincotta, Ch. 4, “The Formation of a National Government”

 

Mar. 13:  The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan

 

Readings for Class Discussion:  Ambrose, Ch. 5, “The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan”

Foreign Policy Readings:  Wittkopf, Kegley, Jr., and Scott, Ch. 5, “Instruments of Global Influence: Covert Activities, Foreign Aid, Sanctions and Public Diplomacy”

Background Readings:  Cavell, Ch. I, “Democracy and Hegemony”; and Cincotta, Ch. 5, “Westward Expansion and Regional Differences”

 

Mar. 15:  Containment Tested

 

Readings for Class Discussion:  Ambrose, Ch. 6, “Containment Tested”

Foreign Policy Readings:  Wittkopf, Kegley, Jr., and Scott, Ch. 6, “Principle and Power in a New Century: The International Political System in Transition”

Background Readings:  Cavell, Ch. I, “Democracy and Hegemony”;  and Cincotta, Ch. 6, “Sectional Conflict”

 

Mar. 20:  Korea

 

Readings for Class Discussion:  Ambrose, Ch. 7, “Korea”

Foreign Policy Readings:  Wittkopf, Kegley, Jr., and Scott, Ch. 6, “Principle and Power in a New Century: The International Political System in Transition”

Background Readings:  Cavell, Ch. II, “From Westphalia to Globalization”; and Cincotta, Ch. 7, “Growth and Transformation”

 

Mar. 22:  Eisenhower, Dulles, and the Irreconcilable Conflict

 

Readings for Class Discussion:  Ambrose, Ch. 8, “Eisenhower, Dulles, and the Irreconcilable Conflict”

Foreign Policy Readings:  Wittkopf, Kegley, Jr., and Scott, Ch. 7, “World Political Economy in Transition: Opportunities and Constraints in an Independent World”

Background Readings:  Cavell, Ch. II, “From Westphalia to Globalization”; and Cincotta, Ch. 8, “Discontent and Reform”

 

Mar. 27:  From Hungary and Suez to Cuba

 

Readings for Class Discussion:  Ambrose, Ch. 9, “From Hungary and Suez to Cuba”

Foreign Policy Readings:  Wittkopf, Kegley, Jr., and Scott, Ch. 7, “World Political Economy in Transition: Opportunities and Constraints in an Independent World”

Background Readings:  Cavell, Ch. II, “From Westphalia to Globalization”; and Cincotta, Ch. 9, “War, Prosperity and Depression”

 

Mar. 29:  Kennedy and the New Frontiers

 

Readings for Class Discussion:  Ambrose, Ch. 10, “Kennedy and the New Frontiers”

Foreign Policy Readings:  Wittkopf, Kegley, Jr., and Scott, Ch. 8, “Americans’ Values, Beliefs and Preferences: Political Culture and Public Opinion in Foreign Policy”

Background Readings:  Cavell, Ch. II, “From Westphalia to Globalization”; and Cincotta, Ch. 10, “The New Deal and World War”

 

Apr. 3:  Vietnam: Paying the Cost of Containment

 

Readings for Class Discussion:  Ambrose, Ch. 11, “Vietnam: Paying the Cost of Containment”

Foreign Policy Readings:  Wittkopf, Kegley, Jr., and Scott, Ch. 8, “Americans’ Values, Beliefs and Preferences: Political Culture and Public Opinion in Foreign Policy”

Background Readings:  Cavell, Ch. II, “From Westphalia to Globalization”; and Cincotta, Ch. 11, “Postwar America”

 

Apr. 5:  Nixon, Détente, and the Debacle in Vietnam

 

Readings for Class Discussion:  Ambrose, Ch. 12, “Nixon, Détente, and the Debacle in Vietnam”

Foreign Policy Readings:  Wittkopf, Kegley, Jr., and Scott, Ch. 9, “The Transmission of Values, Beliefs and Preferences: Interest Groups, Mass Media and Presidential Elections”

Background Readings:  Cavell, Ch. III, “Past U.S. Attempts to Export Democracy in Latin America”; and Cincotta, Ch. 12, “Decades of Change”

 

Apr. 10:  Nixon, Détente, and the Debacle in Vietnam

 

Readings for Class Discussion:  Ambrose, Ch. 12, “Nixon, Détente, and the Debacle in Vietnam”

Foreign Policy Readings:  Wittkopf, Kegley, Jr., and Scott, Ch. 9, “The Transmission of Values, Beliefs and Preferences: Interest Groups, Mass Media and Presidential Elections”

Background Readings:  Cavell, Ch. III, “Past U.S. Attempts to Export Democracy in Latin America”; and Cincotta, Ch. 13, “Toward the 21st Century”

 

Apr. 12:  Midterm Exam

 

Apr. 16-20:  Mid-semester break [No classes]

Apr. 21:  Prophet's birthday—Holiday [No classes]

 

Apr. 24:  America in the Middle East and Africa

 

Readings for Class Discussion:  Ambrose, Ch. 13, “America in the Middle East and Africa”

Foreign Policy Readings:  Wittkopf, Kegley, Jr., and Scott, Ch. 10, “Presidential Leadership in Foreign Policy Making”

Background Readings:  Cavell, Ch. III, “Past U.S. Attempts to Export Democracy in Latin America”

 

Apr. 26:  America in the Middle East and Africa

 

Readings for Class Discussion:  Ambrose, Ch. 13, “America in the Middle East and Africa”

Foreign Policy Readings:  Wittkopf, Kegley, Jr., and Scott, Ch. 10, “Presidential Leadership in Foreign Policy Making”

Background Readings:  Cavell, Ch. III, “Past U.S. Attempts to Export Democracy in Latin America”

 

May 1:  Labor Day Holiday [No classes]             

 

May 3:  Carter and Human Rights

 

Readings for Class Discussion:  Ambrose, Ch. 14, “Carter and Human Rights”

Foreign Policy Readings:  Wittkopf, Kegley, Jr., and Scott, Ch. 11, “The Foreign Policy Bureaucracy and Foreign Policy Making”

Background Readings:  Cavell, Ch. III, “Past U.S. Attempts to Export Democracy in Latin America”

 

May 8:  Reagan and the Evil Empire

 

Readings for Class Discussion:  Ambrose, Ch. 15, “Reagan and the Evil Empire”

Foreign Policy Readings:  Wittkopf, Kegley, Jr., and Scott, Ch. 11, “The Foreign Policy Bureaucracy and Foreign Policy Making”

Background Readings:  Cavell, Ch. IV, “Origin, Structure, & Grantfunding Practices of the NED”

 

May 10:  Reagan and the Evil Empire

 

Readings for Class Discussion:  Ambrose, Ch. 15, “Reagan and the Evil Empire”

Foreign Policy Readings:  Wittkopf, Kegley, Jr., and Scott, Ch. 12, “Congress and Foreign Policy Making”

Background Readings:  Cavell, Ch. IV, “Origin, Structure, & Grantfunding Practices of the NED”

 

May 15:  The End of the Cold War

 

Readings for Class Discussion:  Ambrose, Ch. 16, “The End of the Cold War”

Foreign Policy Readings:  Wittkopf, Kegley, Jr., and Scott, Ch. 12, “Congress and Foreign Policy Making”

Background Readings:  Cavell, Ch. IV, “Origin, Structure, & Grantfunding Practices of the NED”

 

May 17:  The End of the Cold War

 

Readings for Class Discussion:  Ambrose, Ch. 16, “The End of the Cold War”

Foreign Policy Readings:  Wittkopf, Kegley, Jr., and Scott, Ch. 13, “The Process of Decision Making: Roles, Rationality, and the Impact of Bureaucratic Organizations”

Background Readings:  Cavell, Ch. IV, “Origin, Structure, & Grantfunding Practices of the NED”

 

May 22:  Bush and the Gulf War

 

Readings for Class Discussion:  Ambrose, Ch. 17, “Bush and the Gulf War”

Foreign Policy Readings:  Wittkopf, Kegley, Jr., and Scott, Ch. 13, “The Process of Decision Making: Roles, Rationality, and the Impact of Bureaucratic Organizations”

Background Readings:  Cavell, Ch. IV, “Origin, Structure, & Grantfunding Practices of the NED”

 

May 24:  Bush and the Gulf War [Research Papers Due]

 

Readings for Class Discussion:  Ambrose, Ch. 17, “Bush and the Gulf War”

Foreign Policy Readings:  Wittkopf, Kegley, Jr., and Scott, Ch. 14, “Leader Characteristics and Foreign Policy Performance”

Background Readings:  Cavell, Ch. V, “Capitalism, Hegemony, and Democracy”

 

May 29:  Clinton and Democratic Enlargement

 

Readings for Class Discussion:  Ambrose, Ch. 18, “Clinton and Democratic Enlargement”

Foreign Policy Readings:  Wittkopf, Kegley, Jr., and Scott, Ch. 15, “At the Dawn of a New Millennium: The Future of American Foreign Policy”

Background Readings:  Cavell, Ch. V, “Capitalism, Hegemony, and Democracy”

 

May 31:  Clinton and Democratic Enlargement [Last Day for In-Class Presentations]

 

Readings for Class Discussion:  Ambrose, Ch. 18, “Clinton and Democratic Enlargement”

Foreign Policy Readings:  Wittkopf, Kegley, Jr., and Scott, Ch. 15, “At the Dawn of a New Millennium: The Future of American Foreign Policy”

Background Readings:  Cavell, Ch. V, “Capitalism, Hegemony, and Democracy”

 

June 5:  Summary Assessment of US Role in International Affairs; Last day of classes; Review

 

June 15:  Final Exam  11:30-13:30

 

June 23:  Last day for submitting second semester’s grades