Richard
C.Kagan
Professor of East Asian Studies, Hamline University
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H5950
Dilemmas of US Foreign Policy
Spring, 2001
Richard C. Kagan - Hamline University LC140S, x2433
Fax: 651/646-0034
e-mail rkagan@hamline.edu
web
site: http://www.hamline.edu/personal/rkagan
This
course is designed as a capstone experience for students majoring
in History and International Studies. The methodology for the
course is inter-disciplinary. That is, it will approach a topic
by exploring different academic categories and specializations.
In addition to the inter-disciplinary approach, the course will
link domestic and international connections. It is the assumption
of this course that one can no longer isolate an issue in terms
of domestic boundaries–topics such as ecology, trade, culture,
religion, security, technology, etc. have complex interrelations
between local and global constituencies. Finally, the pedagogy
of the course will utilize group research. The product of the
research can be innovative–besides the usual paper, it can
be in the form of a theatrical presentation, an artistic creation
(video, a painting, a "happening"), or a musical composition.
Finally, the course will maintain a classical seminar architecture
whereby the students will provide the framework and the content.
The
purpose of the course is to launch the student into the discourse
of diplomatic and global perceptions of world politics. The "dilemmas"
in the title of the course refer to both long term issues such
as national security, global terrorism, technology transfer, migration,
migrant labor, democratization, humanitarian missions, threats
to health, etc., and to short term issues such as specific areas
of conflict, budgetary fights, legislative battles, ideological
warfare, etc.
The
first three weeks of the course will be introductory. During this
time students will become familiar with some of the major diplomatic
problems facing the U.S. and the world. This introduction will
be accomplished by three sets of reading.
January
30. Introduction.
February
6. Read Friedman. The Lexus and the Olive Tree. Prepare to
discuss this work. The student should analyze the book from three
points of view: 1) what is the contribution of the book to the
literature and ideas in the field. To do this, read book reviews
(see Infotrac); 2) how could other disciplinary approaches complement
or take issue with Friedman's view (what research topics would
you suggest?); 3) What policy proposals would you make? What are
the major dilemmas that Friedman highlights?
February
13. Read Kearney. African American Views on Japan. Discuss
the relationship of domestic groups to the formation of foreign
policy: e.g. the Chinese Americans, American Jews, American Muslims,
Irish-Americans, et. al. Will the Anglo Saxon foreign policy change
due to the new constituencies? What is the effect of American
regionalism on foreign policy?
Read
the booklet on foreign policy, compiled by Kagan, available in
the book store.
Begin
to sort out what dilemma you want to concentrate on.
February
20. Through the Internet, or through library readings, report
on various foreign policy articles in the major journals. Summarize
the article, and critique it. Form study groups and choose a topic,
a methodology, and a pedagogical approach.
February
27. Preliminary report on student projects. (We may go to
the Wiseman Museum or to another exhibition at the U. of Minnesota).
There may be a guest lecturer. From now on there will be guests.
The students should, in addition to their projects, report on
current events and relate them to the issues of the course.
March
6. Student preparations. Reports. Current events, lecturers.
March
13. First draft of student reports.
Spring
break.
March
27. Student reports ctd. If necessary.
April
3, 10,17. Workshops.
April
24, May 1, May 8 Final presentations. (Note. If you are writing
a paper, then copies must be distributed before hand. The work
will be analyzed in class.) It is possible that you will have
to re-write or redo your presentation.
