POLS 344 American Foreign Relations to 1920

An examination of the origins, history, and practice of American foreign relations from before the Revolutionary era through the end of the First World War. A research paper is optional.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

Sophomore standing

Offered

Spring, odd years

Outcomes

1. Students will gain an understanding of the formal and informal structure and processes of American foreign policy-making through the beginning of the 20th century.
2. Students will gain an understanding of American societal and elite attitudes towards foreign affairs from prior to the Revolution through the formative century of U.S. political development.
3. Students will gain an understanding of the historical evolution of American foreign policy-making in a changing world.
4. Students will gain an appreciation of the challenges and importance of foreign affairs for the U.S. during its expansion from European colonial outpost to nascent great power.
5. If the research paper option is chosen, students will develop research, writing, and critical thinking skills through an in-depth exploration of an issue of early U.S. foreign policy concern.