How do we explain the actions of the United States government in contemporary international affairs? This is the central question to be addressed in this intermediate-level course. Within the post Cold-War environment, the United States is faced with re-evaluating its global interests and level of engagement. Which interests are worth protecting and which values are worth promoting abroad?

In evaluating these questions, the class will pay close attention to the actors engaged in the policy making process, the larger environment in which they act,  as well as the dominant ideologies they often hold. The scope will be fairly broad, ranging from traditional security issues to contemporary challenges such as economic relations, immigration and the environment. We will make liberal use of actual cases in order to explore both the substance and logic of U.S. foreign policy.