U.S. Foreign Policy: Current and Future Challenges

IWP 638
Four credits

This course will survey and evaluate the role of American foreign policy in the contemporary international system. Beginning with an introductory background setting, the course will systematically develop the several levels of geopolitical challenge to the national interest in major areas of the world. It will treat the national interest as containing three main levels or "tiers," ranging from vital to important, down to marginal. The bulk of the course will concentrate on contemporary vital issues, logically dealing with threats to American security as well as opportunities for U.S. policy to shape the international environment. The course will conclude by assessing the current and potential direction of policy, addressing such themes as the choices between "empire" and "retrenchment," or "unilateralism" and "internationalism."

Semester Available

To be Announced

Principal Professor

John J. Tierney, Jr.

Walter Kohler Professor of International Relations; Associate Dean; Former Special Assistant and Foreign Affairs Officer, U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency {read more}

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FEATURED FACULTY

Eugene Poteat

President, Association for Intelligence Officers

Writing for National Security Professionals

This course offers a presentation and analysis of the different types of writing, the mastery of which is necessary for success in the national security and foreign affairs professions. Students will write several different documents in the various genres.