IRS 360 US in Global Politics

This course will explore the role of the United States as a global superpower with particular emphasis on the changes that have occurred since the election of President Donald Trump. Although there have always been policy shifts when the U.S. presidency has switched between Democratic and Republican administrations, many of the basic themes of U.S. foreign policy had previously remained largely constant throughout the post-World War II period? until the 2016 election. Using mostly contemporary readings from newspapers, journals, and think-tank publications, students will analyze the current evolution in U.S. positions on key issues such as trade, nuclear weapons, counterterrorism, immigration, human rights, and global climate change. We will also focus on radical shifts in the Trump administration?s approach to certain regions of the world, notably Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.