PLCY 801 Foreign Policy, Globalization, and Statesmanship

This course is designed to give students an understanding of the foundational public policies, regulations, court decisions, institutions, and interest groups relevant to the study and implementation of foreign policy.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

It is vital to examine historical eras of foreign policy from the founding days of the American Republic through the Cold War period to the Modern era. Learning from the past historical eras can help one approach modern foreign policy challenges. The promotion of freedom and the preservation of America’s national interests are key goals of US foreign policy and the policymaker must understand the different worldviews influencing foreign policy decision making. A biblical worldview assessment of globalization, geopolitics, political economy, war and diplomacy and political economy will inform a skilled foreign policy professional. American values and beliefs have impacted the evolution of the US foreign policy making process. It is important to deepen one’s knowledge and understanding of statesmanship and leadership in foreign policy. Each scholar should deepen his or her analytical skills and substantive knowledge in order to generate and evaluate research.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each forum. Each thread must be 400–500 words in current APA format and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 150–250 words in current APA format.

Research Paper: Statesmanship Assignment

The student will write a 12–15-page double-spaced research paper in current APA format that focuses on a comparison and contrast of the Jefferson and Polk presidential administrations regarding foreign policy. The paper must include at least 12-15 peer-reviewed references in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible.

Research Paper: Book Review Assignment

The student will write a 6–8-page critique in current APA format (not including the title page and bibliography) on Zimmerman’s First Great Triumph, which should include the following sections: Introduction, Summary, Critique, Personal Response and Conclusion. The student must use 5–6 quotes from the book to support his or her claims and show at least 7 connections to a foreign policy.

Research Paper: International Organization Assignment

The student will write a 5–7-page research paper in current APA format that focuses on the missions strategy and foreign policy related programs of the student’s selected international organization.

Policy Memorandum Assignment

The student will write a 12–15-page, double-spaced, and APA-formatted memorandum directed at high-level U.S. foreign policymakers in which he or she analyzes an issue of importance in US diplomacy. At least 15 scholarly sources must be used and cited.