America as a World Power in the Modern Era

This course will examine the modern history of American foreign relations, from the turn of the twentieth century to the present. Beginning with the fateful decision to go to war with Spain, it will examine the major crises and choices that have defined the "American Century." Our study of U.S. foreign relations will consider such key factors as geopolitics, domestic politics, bureaucracy, psychology, race, and culture. Students will be asked to research and write a paper on a significant topic in the history of U.S. foreign relations. This course satisfies the IR Writing in the Major (WIM) requirement