OCAM 1070 - From George H. W. BUSH To Joe BIDEN: The Conduct of Post-Cold War US Security Policy Towards Europe
The goal of this course is two-fold: to provide the post-Cold War history and context that shapes US security policy towards Europe today and to assess what future US security policy towards Europe could look like in the new Biden Administration and beyond. Through readings of recent scholarship, lectures and rigorous class discussions, students will explore why US Administrations made the policy choices they did, the drivers that led to those policy decisions and the elements always present in US foreign and security policy decisions.
This class is based on the Socratic method of questions and answers, discussion, and debate. Often the class will dive deeply into a topic or issue that has captured the imagination of the class. A syllabus provided before the semester begins will provide curated articles from academic and policy journals appropriate for each class discussion so that students arrive ready for discussion and engagement. The articles will be made available in the library, on-line, or provided in class.
There will also be a table-top exercise towards the end of the semester where students will play roles of key US and European decision makers or institutions and manage together a growing crisis scenario. This will test the student's ability to work in groups, quickly analyze the implications of fast breaking events and help lead their group to a resolution.
Throughout this course, the class will discuss the key drivers of each Administration's foreign policy, including:
•Administration perceptions of what should be the appropriate role for the US on the world stage
• Administration personalities that shaped policy
• US domestic politics at the time, especially political polarization today
• Actions taken by adversaries and competitors at the time.
The class will also discuss the key elements of US security policy decision-making that are always present and help shape policy outcomes for every administration. Such key elements include:
• US Congress/budgets
• Bureaucratic politics
• The press/social media/public opinion
• Multinational institutions (NATO/UN/EU)
• Ideologies: Communism/Capitalism/Socialism/Trumpism
• Fears: Terrorism, Russia and China (Great Power Competition), internal US unrest
• National characteristics: Isolationism, internationalism, provincialism, racism, idealism, religion, hubris, generosity and “can-doism”
Learning Outcomes
1. Acquire a nuanced understanding of the drivers and elements that shape US Security Policy toward Europe
2. Acquire a firm grasp of US diplomatic, military and political history involving Europe from 1945 – 2021 (with the primary focus being the post-Cold War period)
3. Acquire a strong background on US security policy towards Europe from which to understand the new Biden Administration's policies towards Europe and what future policies could look like
4. Further develop skills in conveying complex ideas in written and verbal form
5. Further develop skills in reading and thinking critically, and understanding the perspectives of other nations, both the US and in Europe
Professional Skills
1. briefing with confidence an audience on complex issues but within a limited time
2. debating and discussing issues with peers in a professional manner
3. writing clearly and with verve about complex issues but limited in the number of pages used
4. developing respect for diverse opinions and learning the importance of hearing multiple viewpoints as you develop your own
5. learning leadership skills and how to work with others by working in groups
Jim TOWNSEND
Séminaire
English
- In Class Presence: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
- Reading and Preparation for Class: 3 hours a week / 36 hours a semester
Spring 2022-2023
From George H. W. BUSH To Joe BIDEN: The Conduct of Post-Cold War US Security Policy Towards Europe
Midterm exam: an essay limited to no more that 10 pages and oral presentation of the essay to the class including a question/answer period. Essay and presentation can be done individually or in a group.
Final exam: take-home essay that will be limited to no more than 10 pages.
Class Participation including oral presentation – 40% of overall grade
Mid-term exam – 30% of overall grade
Final Exam: – 30% of overall grade
Essay and Individual presentation:
For the midterm exam, the student will be required to choose a topic upon which to research and write a 10 page essay. The student will then brief the class on his or her topic and answer questions. The topic should be something of importance and meaning to the student and related to the class: an issue (such as US-EU relations) or a public personality (such as Donald Trump) or an event (the AUKUS arrangement) that the student wants to explore more deeply and that is related to US-European relations. The essay should be well-structured, with an introduction, clear arguments, and a conclusion and will be subject to academic integrity principles. It will be important to include what has been learned from the readings or discussions in class and the essay should demonstrate a nuanced understanding and analysis of the topic chosen.
The essay will be presented to the class in an oral briefing lasting 10-15 minutes. The student will receive feedback from both peers and the lecturer after the presentation. PowerPoint support for the presentation is allowed, but is not mandatory.
Feedback will be provided at the middle and towards the end of the semester and whenever a student requests it or when specific feedback to a student needs to take place outside the scheduled times.