DAFF 25A57 - The Making of U.S. Foreign Policy: Actors and Logics US Foreign policy

This seminar studies U.S. foreign policy from within. We examine how policy is made: by whom, under what constraints, and to what ends. U.S. foreign policy making is shaped both by American political culture and the peculiarities of American democracy. Conversely, the imperatives of statecraft can strain democratic principles. Over the term, we trace how this tension has evolved and how it is managed (or not).

This year, we approach the topic through the lens of truth and publicity: What do U.S. leaders keep from the public? Why? Does secrecy pay off and at what cost to democratic accountability?

One pedagogical component will be a role-play simulation in which we collectively reconstruct a U.S. presidential election around a foreign policy issue.

None

Final Exam 50%

Covering core concepts, historical cases, and analytical tools discussed in class.

Role play 35%

Assessed on both (a) in-character engagement and collaboration during the simulation and (b) related deliverables (briefing notes, strategy memos, short debrief).

In class participation 15%

Preparation, constructive contributions to discussion