Studies in American Culture (310-0-60)

Topic

Dilemmas of American Power

Instructors

Peter Slevin

Meeting Info

Fisk Hall 311: Tues, Thurs 12:30PM - 1:50PM

Overview of class

It isn't easy being a superpower. For the past 75 years, U.S. policymakers have struggled to define America's role in an ever more complex world where threats multiply and challenges morph and endure. The period beginning with the Cold War traces an arc that reaches from nuclear arsenals to fleets of unmanned drones, from a fear of falling dominoes in Southeast Asia to a raft of conflicts in the Middle East and Europe. And, now, amid war and uncertainty, the United States has a president who rode into office on a promise of "America First." In his first year, he has upended 60 years of support for foreign aid, announced his goal of controlling the Gaza Strip, imposed tariffs on close allies, and waded into the Russia-Ukraine war while declaring he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. The course draws upon an engaging set of case studies and materials to chart one of the most intriguing stretches of international engagement in U.S. history. We will work collaboratively to understand why decisions were made, how policies were implemented and sold, and what it all may mean in the end. Assessing sources from presidential speeches and critics' rejoinders to film documentaries and media accounts, we will study goals and motivations, ends and means. As the course progresses, we will pay particular attention to the foreign policy choices of President Trump and the domestic debate about those choices.

Evaluation Method

Two in-class exams and a final essay on a related topic of your choice. This is not a class where you are expected to produce journalism, and no prior experience with journalism or Medill is required.

Class Materials (Required)

Required course material:
• Nye, Joseph. The Future of Power (used, $17.99): https://www.amazon.com/Future-Power-Joseph-Nye-Jr/dp/1610390695

Suggested Course Materials:
• Hook & Spanier. American Foreign Policy Since World War II (used, $11.64): https://www.amazon.com/American-Foreign-Policy-Spanier-Paperback/dp/B010WHM5BM/ref=sr_1_2?crid=35LQ8WNPK76UT&dchild=1&keywords=hook+spanier&qid=1635277002&s=books&sprefix=hook+spanier%2Cstripbooks%2C95&sr=1-2

Associated Classes

DIS - Fisk Hall 309: Fri 9:00AM - 9:50AM

DIS - Fisk Hall 309: Fri 12:00PM - 12:50PM

DIS - Fisk Hall 309: Fri 1:00PM - 1:50PM