US and World Affairs
Spring 2017
Dr. Zachary Selden
Anderson 003
Office Hours: 10:30-12:00 M W
Goals
The purpose of this course is to familiarize the student with the historical context of American foreign policy, ways of thinking about the formulation of foreign policy, the decision-making process and how various players in and out of government affect it, and current issues in global affairs.
Required Reading
Bruce W. Jentleson, American Foreign Policy: The Dynamics of Choice in the 21st Century, FIFTH EDITION.
As part of the course, students will also be expected to regularly read the international section of either the Washington Post, New York Times, the Wall Street Journal or other major news sources.
Writing Requirement
Students will select an issue in contemporary American foreign policy and write one short (5 double-spaced typed pages) essay based on articles in one or more of the three newspapers listed above or other reputable sources (check with me if you have any doubt). The paper will briefly describe the issue and its significance to the United States, as well as consider the pros and cons of different courses of action available to the United States.
Class Discussion and Participation
This course is lecture-based but I get bored listening to myself talk. I expect that you do as well. We will have several class sessions based on discussion of articles included in the book, as well as some short articles I may provide to you. If you want full credit for participation, be prepared to say something on occasion.
In addition, there will be a crisis simulation in which you will each play the role of a National Security Council member. The scenario will be based on an actual event in American foreign policy using some of the original documents. This will take place on MARCH 13 AND 15. IF YOU CANNOT BE HERE THOSE DAYS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW WELL IN ADVANCE SO WE CAN MAKE ALTERNATIVE ARRANGMENTS.
Academic Integrity
Incidents of plagiarism and cheating will be dealt with severely. Any incident of cheating on an exam will result in zero credit for that exam. A documented incident of plagiarism will result in a grade of “D” if the plagiarism extends to no more than a few sentences. More extensive plagiarism will result in a grade of “F” for that assignment.
Grading
Paper 25% (March 31)
Midterm 30% (February 15)
Participation 10%
Final Exam 35% (April 24 at 7:30 AM)
Student Rights and Obligations
The instructor reserves the right to alter this syllabus with one-week advance notice to accommodate additional readings and other changes that will enhance the course.
All efforts will be made to accommodate students with disabilities according to UF guidelines. Students must make themselves known to the instructor at least two weeks before an exam to arrange alternative testing. Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students Office will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the Instructor when requesting accommodation.
Cheating and plagiarism will be dealt with severely. An incident of cheating will result in the student receiving no credit for the assignment or exam in question.
This course is on Canvas. There you will find the syllabus, any additional readings, and a calendar with the critical dates for exams. Please contact me through the Canvas site and not through my personal email address. Because of the large number of students in this course, I will only respond to messages received through Canvas.
Grading Scale
94 and above= A
90-93= A-
87-89 = B+
84-86 = B
80-83 = B-
77-79 = C+
74-76 = C
70-73 = C-
The degree-granting college may require a minimum grade of C in particular courses. Information on the University of Florida’s grading policy can be found at:
https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/grades.aspx(Links to an external site.)
Classroom Policies
Attendance & makeup policy: Attendance is mandatory and the Graduate Teaching Assistants will track attendance in the discussion sections. The student will lose 1% from his or her final grade for every unexcused absence. Absences will be excused in accordance with UF policy. Acceptable reasons include illness, religious holidays, military obligation, and the twelve-day rule (https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/attendance.aspx). Should you miss a class for any reason, you are responsible for informing yourself as to what was covered in class. Except in the case of a certified illness or other UF accepted excuse, there will be no make-up option for missed exams or late assignments.
Cell phone and texting policy: Students must turn cell phones to vibrate before coming to class. If it rings out loud enough for me to hear it, I will answer it. You really don’t want that to happen.
Grade Disputes: Should a student wish to dispute any grade received in this class (other than simple addition errors), the dispute must be in writing and be submitted to the instructor within a week of receiving the grade. The dispute should set our very clearly, the grade that the student believes the assignment should have received as well as why he or she believes that he or she should have received such a grade.
Other Business
Make-up exams can be arranged with advanced notice. Make-up exams will be granted at my discretion with a valid excuse. In case of illness, a doctor’s written excuse will be required. In the case of a known/planned absence please see me WELL IN ADVANCE. The final exam for this course is December 16. There will be no early exam offered for this course.
UF students are bound by The Honor Pledge which states, “We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honor and integrity by abiding by the Honor Code. On all work submitted for credit by students at the University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied: “On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment.” The Honor Code (http://www.dso.ufl.edu/sccr/process/student-conduct-honor-code/(Links to an external site.)
specifies a number of behaviors that are in violation of this code and the possible sanctions. Furthermore, you are obligated to report any condition that facilitates academic misconduct to appropriate personnel. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult with the instructor.
Students are expected to provide feedback on the quality of instruction in this course based on 10 criteria. These evaluations are conducted online at https://evaluations.ufl.edu(Links to an external site.)
Evaluations are typically open during the last two or three weeks of the semester, but students will be given specific times when they are open. Summary results of these assessments are available to students at https://evaluations.ufl.edu/results(Links to an external site.)
Week 1 and 2 (January 4-13)
Introduction and Theoretical Context
· Ways of thinking about foreign policy: international system, domestic politics, individual level
· Ways of thinking about American foreign policy across time: Wilson, Jefferson, Jackson, Hamilton
· Defining the national interest
· Grand strategy
Reading
Jentleson chapter 1 and pages 216-219, 229-233
Week 3 and 4 (January 18-27)
The Historical Context
· Early years of the republic
· The post-Civil War expansion
· The US emergence as a major power
· WWI
· WWII
Reading
Jentleson chapter 4 and pages 234-236, 250-257
Week 5 and 6 (January 30-Feb 13)
The Cold War and its impact on American Foreign Policy
· Containment
· Deterrence theory
· The division of Europe
· Cuban missile crisis: study of bureaucratic politics
· Korea and Vietnam
Reading
Jentleson chapter 5 and pages 253-262 and 267-272
MID-TERM EXAM FEBRUARY 15
Week 7 and 8 (Feb 17- Mar 3)
The Domestic Context of Foreign Policy
· Bureaucratic politics
· The executive branch
· Congress
· Media and public opinion
Reading
Jentleson chapter 2 and 3
CRISIS SIMULATION MARCH 13 AND 15
Week 10 and 11 (March 17-27)
The Post Cold War Era
· Dealing with the collapse of the Soviet empire
· Economic issues in foreign policy
· Multi-lateral or unilateral?
· When to intervene?
· The Yugoslavia crisis
· September 11th and the rise of globalized terror networks.
Reading
Jentleson chapter 6 and 7 and pages 279-284
PAPER DUE MARCH 31
Week 12-13 (March 29-April 7)
Globalization and it Challenges
· Iraq and Afghanistan
· Globalization
· Democratization
Reading
Jentleson chapter 8 and pages 611-617
Week 14-15 (April 10-19)
Current and Future Challenges
· Proliferation
· Failed states
· Rise of new powers
· The maintenance of American hegemony?
Reading
Jentleson chapter 10 and 12 and 596-597, 601-602
Barry Posen “Pull Back: the case for a less activist foreign policy,” Foreign Affairs, Jan/Feb. 2013
Stephen Brooks, et al., “Lean Forward,” Foreign Affairs, Jan/Feb. 2013
IN CLASS FINAL EXAM ON APRIL 24 AT 7:30 am.
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