Gov 1790: American Foreign Policy
This course explores America’s role in international politics, aiming to teach students some of the major theoretical perspectives in International Relations, and how to critically analyze the major dynamics shaping American foreign policy today. Professor: Joshua D. Kertzer.
Class Materials:
Section 12
Cybersecurity and nuclear security
Additional resources
- Joshua Tucker, Yannis Thecharis, Margaret E. Roberts, and Pablo Barbera, "This explains how social media can both weaken -- and strengthen -- democracy," Washington Post (1/7/21)
- Stanford Internet Observatory, "Analysis of Twitter Takedowns Linked to Venezuela, Mexico, Tanzania, and China" (12/2/21)
- Doomsday Clock from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
- Kahoot review
Section 11
Terrorism and insurgency
Additional resources
- Mapping Militants
- Martha Crenshaw, "I’ve Studied Terrorism for Over 40 Years. Let’s Talk About What Comes Next," New York Times (2/10/21)
- Mark Mazetti, Julian E. Barnes, and Adam Goldman, "Intelligence Warned of Afghan Military Collapse, Despite Biden’s Assurance," New York Times (8/17/2021)
- Victor J. Blue, Thomas Gibbons-Neff, and Christina Goldbaum, "ISIS poses a growing threat to new Taliban government in Afghanistan," New York Times (11/3/21)
Section 10
Alliance politics
Additional resources
- Antony Blinken, "Reaffirming and Reimagining America's Alliances" (3/24/2021)
- Mary Sarotte and Douglas Lute, "How to Enlarge NATO," IS: Off the Page (Podcast, 2020)
Section 9
Rise of China
Additional resources
- Thomas Pepinsky and Jessica Chen Weiss, "The Clash of Systems?," Foreign Affairs (2021)
- A. Iain Johnston, "China in a World of Orders," International Security (2019)
Section 8
International Order, Anti-Americanism, and Soft Power
Additional resources
- South Korea and soft power (Sue Mi Terry, Foreign Affairs)
- Essay writing: https://govwrites.fas.harvard.edu
Section 7
Interest groups and midterm review
Additional resources
- Video explanation of collective action problems: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ5CG5FrveM
- Recorded book talk for Sailing the Water's Edge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG4iS6P6aoo
- Kahoot link: https://kahoot.it/challenge/?quiz-id=59995ad9-d872-4862-a672-e5acb112f372&single-player=true
Section 6
Public Opinion and Media
Additional Resources
- Naima Green-Riley, "Pandemic Persuasions? American Public Opinion and U.S.-China Relations," National Bureau of Asian Research (11/20/20).
Section 5
Bureaucratic politics
Additional resources
- Risa A. Brooks, Michael A. Robinson and Heidi A. Urben, “Biden has picked a retired general for defense secretary. Here's why it matters,” Washington Post (Monkey Cage) (December 9, 2020).
Section 4
Executive-Legislative Relations and Introduction to Bureaucratic Politics
Additional Resources:
- Presentation slides
- Richard Fontaine, Loren DeJonge Schulman, and Stephen Tankel, "War Powers: What Are They Good For?" Center for New American Security (Dec. 9, 2020).
Section 3
Grand Strategy and Midterm Review
Additional Resources:
- Emma Ashford, "Strategies of Restraint," Foreign Affairs (Sept./Oct. 2021).
Section 2
US foreign policy traditions and grand strategy
Additional Resources:
- Link to section presentation
- Condoleezza Rice, "Rethinking the National Interest," Foreign Affairs (July/August 2008).
Section 1
Section Overview and IR Theory
Additional Resources:
- Helene Cooper et al., "In Afghan Withdrawal, a Biden Doctrine Surfaces," NYT News Analysis (9/4/2021).