PS 326 - U.S. Foreign Policy I
University of Oregon - Spring 2008
M & W 12:00 - 1:20
Instructor: Karen Peters-VanEssen Office: MCK 441A
Email: kpetersv@uoregon.edu Phone: 346.4994
Office hours: 11:00–1:00 T, & by appointment
GTFs:
Course Goals:
Course Requirements:
This course requires class attendance and a significant amount of reading and writing. The instructor reserves the right to adjust the reading and assignment schedule.
Assignments:
Required Readings:
Avoid Plagiarism: For a description of plagiarism go to
http://libweb.uoregon.edu/guides/plagiarism/students/. All work submitted in this course must be
your own. Neither ignorance of these
policies, nor the lack of an intention to cheat or plagiarize, will be
considered a legitimate defense. Harsh disciplinary action will be taken
against those who plagiarize or cheat, including flunking the course and being
reported to the academic dishonesty committee. If you have any questions about
these policies, please talk to me.
I. Introduction & Sources of Explanations
March 31: No reading
April 2:
Ole R. Holsti, “Models of International
Relations and Foreign Policy” in
Ikenberry.
II. International Sources of Foreign Policy
April 7:
Kenneth Waltz, “Anarchic Orders and Balances of Power” in Ikenberry
April 9:
Melvyn P. Leffler, “The American Conception of National Security and the
Beginnings of the Cold War” in Ikenberry
III. Governmental Sources of
Foreign Policy
April 14:
Michael Mastanduno, “The United States Political System and International
Leadership” in Ikenberry
Presidential Preeminence: TBA
April 16:
Congress and the President: TBA
April 21:
The Courts and the President: TBA
April 23:
Governmental Bureaucracy: TBA
V. Review & Midterm
April 28: No new reading
April
30: **
Midterm Exam **
VI. Bureaucratic Politics, Organizational Culture
& Decision-making
May 5:
Graham T. Allison, “Conceptual Models and the Cuban Missile Crisis” in
Ikenberry
Stephen D. Krasner, “Are Bureaucracies Important?” in Ikenberry
May 7:
Robert Jervis, “Hypotheses on Misperception” in Ikenberry
Tetlock and McGuire, “Cognitive Perspectives on Foreign Policy” in Ikenberry
VII. The Role of Economics & Other Actors
May 12:
Andrew Bacevich, “Strategy of Openness” in Ikenberry
Robert Wade, “The Invisible Hand of the American Empire” in Ikenberry
May 14:
The Media and Communications Process, TBA
VIII. Public Opinion
May 19:
Alexander L. George, “Domestic Constraints on Regime Change” in Ikenberry
Trubowitz, “Political Conflict and Foreign Policy” in Ikenberry
May 21:
Jacobs & Page, “Business Versus Public Influence in U.S. Foreign Policy”
** Short Paper Due
May 21st **
IX. U.S. Foreign Policy Post-Cold War and 911
May 26: Memorial Day – no class
May 28:
Samuel P. Huntington, “The Lonely Superpower” in Ikenberry
Charles Krauthammer, “The Unipolar Moment Revisited” in Ikenberry
June 2:
G. John Ikenberry, “American’s Imperial Ambition” in Ikenberry
Robert Jervis, “Understanding the Bush Doctrine” in Ikenberry
June 4: Review
**Final Exam 10:15 Friday, June 13th**