SNRSCH3270 - HIST 3228 - America's Rise to Globalism

Course Description

This course will trace the contours of U.S. foreign policy from its colonial origins through the destruction of the myth of isolationism produced by the attack on Pearl Harbor. Although the syllabus proceeds chronologically, the lectures and readings emphasize thematic continuities and discontinuities. These themes include the ideological, strategic, economic, cultural, and racial influences on America's foreign relations; mission, manifest destiny, and continental expansion; issues of war, peace, and security; crisis management and mismanagement; the closing frontier and imperialism; Wilsonianism and its critics; independent internationalism; and personal versus coalition diplomacy. Because the study of diplomatic history is highly interpretative, and the assigned studies reflect competing interpretations, all students will be expected to question, comment upon, and yes, even criticize the readings and lectures. In doing so, emphasis will be placed on recognizing and assessing the strategies historians employ to collect and use evidence in order to advance arguments. Students will be required to "volunteer" at the start of each session to summarize briefly and cogently the primary issues and arguments covered in the preceding one, and students should be prepared to respond to questions and references to the readings that will be incorporated into each session's lectures.