POSC 342 - U.S. Foreign Policy

• Understand something of the historical background and context of American foreign policy.
• Recognize the existence of multiple “actors” in the making of American foreign policy at the national, governmental level.
• Gain an appreciation and comprehension of the interrelationships between internal, domestic factors such as fundamental cultural values and interest groups, and the formulation of policy at the national, governmental level.
• Critically analyze and evaluate the appropriateness of given policies from the standpoint of different participants and from the standpoint of those to whom such policies are directed.
• Understand the different models and frameworks utilized by political scientists in the study of American foreign policy.
• Understand the basic theoretical or comparative framework for identifying similarities and dissimilarities among the world’s varied political systems.