POLITICAL SCIENCE 275: RESEARCH SEMINAR IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS: U.S. FOREIGN POLICY

• SPRING 2000-01
• Dr. Lawrence J. LeBlanc
• Office: WWP 484; 288-3442/6842; lawrence.leblanc@marquette.edu
• Office Hours: TTH 9:00 – 10:30, TTH 1:00 - 2:30 and by appointment

REQUIREMENTS:

Since this is a research seminar on U.S. foreign policy, all students enrolled in the seminar are required to write a high-quality term paper on a topic approved by the instructor. The paper should be in the range of 25-30 pages in length. It will be presented orally to the class on dates indicated below. The final version of the paper is due not later than noon on Friday, May 4, 2001. In addition, all students are required to write reviews of the following books: Samuel Huntington, The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order, and Thomas L. Friedman, The Lexus and the Olive Tree. The reviews, which should be five to seven pages in length, are due on the dates indicated on the syllabus.

CORE READINGS:

1. G. John Ikenberry, American Foreign Policy: Theoretical Essays. 3^rd ed.

2. Graham Allison and Philip Zelikow, Essence of Decision. 2^nd ed.

3. Donald Snow and Eugene Brown, United States Foreign Policy: Politics Beyond the Water’s Edge. 2^nd ed.

ATTENDANCE POLICY : REQUIRED:

(The seminar begins promptly at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday.)

GRADING SCALE:

Grades for the seminar will be based on the quality of the term paper, the reviews, and class participation.

SEMINAR SCHEDULE:

January 16:Organizational Meeting.

January 23:Begin: The Problem of Explanation

Readings:

Ikenberry, Introduction, Part One

Allison and Zelikow, Introduction, Chapters 1, 2

January 30:Readings:

Allison and Zelikow, Chapters 3, 4

Ikenberry, Part Six

February 6:Readings:

Allison and Zelikow, Chapters 5, 6 , 7

February 13:Begin: The International Environment and Foreign Policy

Readings:

Ikenberry, Part Two, Three

Snow and Brown, Part I

February 20:Readings:

Continue February 13

February 27:First Presentation of Term Paper Outlines

(Review of Huntington due)

March 6:Spring Break: No Class

March 13:Begin: The Making of Foreign Policy

Readings:

Snow and Brown, Part II, III

Ikenberry, Part Four, Five

March 20:Readings:

Continue March 6

March 27:Second Presentation of Term Paper Outlines

(Review of Friedman Due)

April 3: Begin: Functional Problems

Readings:

Snow and Brown, Part IV, V

Ikenberry, Part Eight

April 10:Presentation of Papers:

April 17:Presentation of Papers:

April 24:Presentation of Papers:

May 1: Final Meeting of the Seminar

Presentation of Papers:

May 4: Friday. Final versions of all papers are due by noon.