Syllabus
United States Foreign Policy
Course number: JMMZ315, JTM037
Instructor: doc. PhDr. Francis D. Raška, PhD.
E-mail: francisraska@gmail.com
Office hours: Tuesdays from 3:30 PM until 4:30 PM and Wednesdays from 3:30 PM until 4:30 PM online via e-mail or ZOOM due to COVID-19 restrictions.
PURPOSE OF THE COURSE
This M.A. seminar course seeks to help students gain a basic understanding of American foreign and national security policy in theory as well as in practice. As the United States is the the world’s main superpower, students should possess some knowledge of American foreign and security policy. The course is introductory in nature and the readings reflect this fact. All assigned readings will be sent to students via e-mail.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION PROCEDURES
Each student will be awarded a final mark at the end of the semester, which will be determined by three factors:
Class participation 30%
Class presentation 20%
Term paper 30%
Oral examination 20%
Students will be expected to read the assigned materials. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the class will be taught online via ZOOM. Attendance in class and participation in class discussions are required and each student will be required to submit a term paper containing 10 to 15 double-spaced pages at the end of the semester. In order to avoid any problems, I will need to know term paper topics beforehand. During the first weeks of the course, we will agree as a group on the submission dates for the topics and the term papers themselves. If a student repeatedly fails to read the assigned materials and/or does not attend the course online regularly, I reserve the right not to accept his/her term paper at the end of the term. This translates into “No work, no credit.” As this is a required class, I have decided that each student will deliver a 20-minute presentation during an online class session on a topic of his/her choice, which will be followed by a brief discussion. No two topics may be repeated and the topic of the presentation must not be the same as the topic of the student’s term paper. Past experience has taught me that, largely on account of other university requirements and responsibilities, students need help with time management and guidance in their work. Therefore, I have decided upon several courses of action. First, I will insist that students let me know how they are getting on with their work throughout the course of the semester. Second, some time will be spent during the first session(s) discussing what is expected in a term paper. Third, all students can expect to be examined orally on the topic of their term paper at the end of the term. Questions asked during individual examination sessions may involve the given term paper topic as well as the research methods employed. The utlilization of others’ ideas must be cited. Failure to cite the words and/or ideas of others constitutes plagiarism. The Faculty of Social Sciences has very severe penalties for plagiarism, including expulsion. I ask each of you to be very careful and make sure that you cite all sources consulted. It is in your interest. Finally, I would like to stress that, in order for the course to be a success, we need to work together as a group of dedicated, mature scholars whose members communicate constructively with one another. Let the festival of learning begin!
TEXTS
Cox, Michael and Stokes, Doug (eds.), U.S. Foreign Policy, 3rd Edition, Oxford, 2018.
Jarmon, Jack A., The New Era in U.S. National Security: An Introduction to Emerging Threats and Challenges, Lanham, MD., 2014.
COURSE TOPICS AND ASSIGNED READINGS
Historical Background of and Actors and Processes involved in United States Foreign and National Security Policy and Its Evolution
Readings: 1. Cox, Michael and Stokes, Doug (eds.), U.S. Foreign Policy, pp. 1-21. 2. Cox, Michael and Stokes, Doug (eds.), U.S. Foreign Policy, pp. 22-38. 3. Cox, Michael and Stokes, Doug (eds.), U.S. Foreign Policy, pp. 41-55. 4. Cox, Michael and Stokes, Doug (eds.), U.S. Foreign Policy, pp. 56-75. 5. Cox, Michael and Stokes, Doug (eds.), U.S. Foreign Policy, pp. 76-96. 6. Cox, Michael and Stokes, Doug (eds.), U.S. Foreign Policy, pp. 97-122.
Challenges and Threats facing United States Foreign Policy and National Security
Readings: 7. Jarmon, Jack A., The New Era in U.S. National Security: An Introduction to Emerging Threats and Challenges, pp. 37-72. 8. Jarmon, Jack A., The New Era in U.S. National Security: An Introduction to Emerging Threats and Challenges, pp. 75-119. 9. Jarmon, Jack A., The New Era in U.S. National Security: An Introduction to Emerging Threats and Challenges, pp. 121-161. 10. Jarmon, Jack A., The New Era in U.S. National Security: An Introduction to Emerging Threats and Challenges, pp. 163-201. 11. Jarmon, Jack A., The New Era in U.S. National Security: An Introduction to Emerging Threats and Challenges, pp. 203-251. 12. Jarmon, Jack A., The New Era in U.S. National Security: An Introduction to Emerging Threats and Challenges, pp. 255-273.
Annotation
PURPOSE OF THE COURSE
This M.A. seminar course seeks to help students gain a basic understanding of American foreign and national security policy in theory as well as in practice. As the United States is the world’s sole remaining superpower, it is important that students of North American Studies have some knowledge of American foreign and security policy. The course is introductory in nature and the readings reflect this fact. All assigned readings will be sent to students via e-mail.