MVZ117 U. S. Foreign Policy-Actors

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2015
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
PhDr. Petr Suchý, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. et Mgr. Petr Vilímek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Petr Suchý, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Wed 9:45–11:15 U35
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 53 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/53, only registered: 0/53
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course MVZ117 U.S. Foreign Policy-Actors focuses on the role of the most important and influential actors in the process of formulation and implementation of the U.S. foreign policy. At the end of the course, students should be able to formulate various factors (e.g. tradition of U.S. foreign policy, global environment, the American publics approach to international affairs, the impact of interest groups, think-tanks and the media) influencing this process; to understand the complexities of American foreign policy-making and to evaluate the strategic and political importance of various actors and groups.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Genesis and the evolution of US Foreign Policy
  • 3. Presidential command and the making of US foreign policy
  • 4. The presidency and the National Security Council
  • 5. The State Department
  • 6. US defense establishment
  • 7. The Intelligence Community
  • 8. Foreign economic policy
  • 9. Congress and U.S. foreign policy
  • 10. Reading Week
  • 11.Public opinion and U.S. foreign policy after the Cold War
  • 12. Discussion with an American career diplomat
  • 13.Interest groups and the media in U.S. foreign policy
Literature
  • After the end : making U.S. foreign policy in the post-cold war world. Edited by James M. Scott. Durham: Duke University Press, 1998, xiii, 427. ISBN 0822322668. info
  • CAMERON, Fraser. US foreign policy after the Cold War : global hegemon or reluctant sheriff? London: Routledge, 2002, xviii, 221. ISBN 0415267765. URL info
  • Olson, William C.: The US Congress: An Independent Force in World Politics, International Affairs, Jul 91, Vol. 67, Issue 3, s. 547-563
  • Rosati, J. A.: Readings in the Politics of United States Foreign Policy. Harcourt Brace 1998
  • The domestic sources of American foreign policy : insights and evidence. Edited by Eugene R. Wittkopf - James M. McCormick. 3rd ed. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 1999, xxiii, 384. ISBN 084768850X. info
  • TREVERTON, Gregory F. Reshaping national intelligence for an age of information. 1st pub. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003, xviii, 266. ISBN 052153349X. info
Teaching methods
Lecures involve theoretical preparation. Readings serve to broaden and deepen the spectrum of knowledge students acquire during lectures. Regular attendance is expected. Examination takes place at the end of the semester.
Assessment methods
The course is finished by a written exam.
Grading scale: A (48-50 points), (B 45-47), C (41-44), D (37-40), E (34-36), F (below 33 points).
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2003, Autumn 2004, Autumn 2005, Autumn 2006, Autumn 2007, Autumn 2008, Autumn 2009, Autumn 2010, Autumn 2011, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2015, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2015/MVZ117