introduction to the courseSeptember 23, 2008

pols 425 u.s. foreign policy

professor timothy c. lim / cal state los angelestclim@calstatela.edu

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introduction to coursecourse information

highlights

consistent, on-time attendance is critical to doing well

quizzes and webct assignments constitute 60 percent of course grade

• no make ups on quizzes; must arrive on time

• must register for webct immediately; if you are not familiar with webct, sign up for workshop sooner, not later

• webct course guide available online

• all required readings are important

• graduate students must write research paper in lieu of final examination (undergraduate students have this option)

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introduction to coursecourse information

highlights

lecture notes (powerpoint slides) typically--but not always--available on instructional site: professor lim’s coursesite

coursesite url: http://instructional1.calstatela.edu/tclim/

make sure I have your e-mail address; e-mail is the best way to contact me, and e-mail is the primary way I contact you outside of class

grades available online via gradesource.com questions or concerns? let me know

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addendum to syllabus: mastering course material

if you expect to do wellin this course, you must master the material for this course

to master the material, you must allot sufficient time to carefully read, review, and reflect upon the required assignments

introduction to courseaddendum to syllabus

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addendum to syllabus: policy on olicy on cell phones and other electronic devicescell phones and other electronic devices

turn off cell phones; remove from desk

if feel a need to text message, take itoutside: it’s distracting to me andI always see it

laptops okay, but only fornote taking; may not beused during quizzes

introduction to courseaddendum to syllabus

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addendum to syllabus: the need for written documentation

If it’s important, write it down, save

it, and deliver it to me

e-mail is best

introduction to courseaddendum to syllabus

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and now …

a brief introduction to the study of foreign policy

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to begin: a musical interlude

listen to this song byrandy newman, titled“political science”

what does it tell us, ifanything, about the role of the u.s. in theworld?

what can we learnfrom this song?

introduction to coursethe study of foreign policy

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to begin: a musical interlude

learning from “political science”

No one likes us--I don't know whyWe may not be perfect, but heaven knows we tryBut all around, even our old friends put us downLet's drop the big one and see what happens

introduction to coursethe study of foreign policy

sounds familiar. many americans fail to understand that u.s. interests are not necessarily the

interests of other countries; moreover, there is a tendency to ignore the implications of the threat

to use massive force to resolve foreign policy problems (a point newman clearly does recognize)

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to begin: a musical interlude

learning from “political science”

We give them money--but are they grateful?No, they're spiteful and they're hatefulThey don't respect us-so let's surprise themWe'll drop the big one and pulverize them

introduction to coursethe study of foreign policy

many americans see foreign aid as a handout; a symbol of american generosity. yet, foreign aid,

too, is a reflection of american interests. during the cold war, especially, foreign aid often went

to repressive, but pro-american regimes.

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to begin: a musical interlude

learning from “political science”

Boom goes London and boom ParisMore room for you and more room for meAnd every city the whole world roundWill just be another American townOh, how peaceful it will beWe'll set everybody freeYou'll wear a Japanese kimonoAnd there'll be Italian shoes for me

They all hate us anyhowSo let’s drop the big one nowLet’s drop the big one now

introduction to coursethe study of foreign policy

a perfect reflection of the contradictions of

american foreign policy: the world will be peaceful and free, if only we could

kill everyone who disagrees with us and

reorganize their societies and economies such that

they serve american interests. americans have

a difficult time understanding the conflict

between the rhetoric of american ideas and the

reality of american power.

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introduction to coursethe study of foreign policy

the why question in foreign policy

why did the united states decide to invade iraq?

discuss

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introduction to coursethe study of foreign policy

the why question in foreign policy

to answer why questions, we must also pose and answer who and what

questions …

who are the actors that matter in foreign policy?

what is the most important level of analysis?

what forces or processes matter in foreign policy decisions and why?

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introduction to coursethe study of foreign policy

the how question in foreign policy

to many scholars, why, who and what questions--while important--give us an

incomplete understanding

we must also ask how-possible questions…

• how was the war possible?• how important was discourse in making

the iraq war possible?

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introduction to coursethe study of foreign policy

in the study of foreign policy, there are many explanations or theories

that purport to explain both specific and general foreign policy

decisions

we will take a careful look at several of these over the first part

of this quarter, but first …

foreign policy theory

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introduction to coursethe study of foreign policy

the authors of foreign policy: theories, actors, cases argue

that the study of foreign policy “ought not be regarded as an independent intellectual

domain”

by this they mean that the study of foreign policy should

be “opened up” and interdisciplinary

foreign policy theory

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introduction to coursethe study of foreign policy

“We believe that the dynamics of foreign policy are found in

a wide range of IR works. Indeed, the objects of foreign policy inquiry necessitate an

engagement with a host of social science fields, and a number of subfields” (p. 4)

why might this be important? what are the implications of

this approach?

foreign policy theory

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introduction to coursethe study of foreign policy

fields relevant to foreign policy

international relations social psychology

rational choice comparative politics

public policy critical theory

others

special relationship between IR and foreign

policy