Catalog description: The factors and motives underlying the political and economic relationships among nations; the basic principles guiding the foreign policies of the major nations; the instruments of power and their effect upon international relations; the United Nations and regional organizations. (The better to prepare you for professional careers and graduate schools in related fields, this will be augmented with material on US Foreign Policy).

This course introduces you to the concepts and practice of international politics, US foreign policy and institutions. Thus the course combines the modern developmental and organizational approaches with the traditional realist versus idealist schools method. You should by the end of the course understand in particular how the international system has changed since the end of the cold war, as well as over a longer time period. 

We shall occasionally analyze excerpts of video documentaries or recent news coverage where available. Current affairs, such as an international crisis, will be discussed even where this postpones part of the syllabus. 

• Understanding of the modern history of US foreign policy
• Critical thinking about current challenges in US foreign policy
• Knowledge of the principles, actors and history of international relations
• Critical thinking about current challenges in world politics

• Competent exam essays on the modern history of US foreign policy
• Critical discussion of the contemporary challenges in US foreign policy
• Competent exam essays on the principles, actors and history of international relations
• Critical discussion of the current challenges in world politics
• Competent exam essays on the current challenges in world politics
• A competent research paper (judged by content, research, organization & writing) on some aspect of the term's material

1. McCormick, James M. American Foreign Policy & Process. (Thomson). One of the leading texts on the subject, this will give you a clear discussion of foreign policy from the US perspective. 

2. Rourke, John T. International Politics on the World Stage. (Dushkin). This main text, lively in style, combines both traditional and modern approaches to world politics. It blends realist international relations with comparison of regimes and organizations. 

3. Foreign Affairs, ed. New Shape of World Politics. (Latest edition). Written by leading scholars and foreign policy makers, this current anthology is an influential source of contemporary policy ideas. Very suitable both for student presentations and for research paper ideas, and inexpensive.

4. Foreign Policy, Great Decisions Briefing Book, lively, illustrated anthology for current year (topics vary).  See http://www.fpa.org/ 's link to this year's book.

Other materials may be placed on Library Reserve. These will include excerpts of some great classic pieces, such as Thucydides' history of the Peloponnesian wars.

Attendance is expected at at least one of the Alabama World Affairs Council's excellent guest speaker events, usually held at the Museum of Fine Arts, usually second Tuesday of the month at 6:15pm, following a reception at 5:30pm. Please dress smartly and obey the laws on alcohol consumption. Huntingdon has subscribed for several students per session.

Behavior: you are expected to comply with the HC Honor Code and with specific rules placed on our Requirements page above.

Students With Disabilities, HC notice:
"Huntingdon College makes every reasonable accommodation for disabilities that have been processed and approved through our Disability Services Committee in accord with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. In order to request disability-related services at Huntingdon College, students must self-identify to the Disabilities Intake Coordinator, and provide appropriate and up-to-date documentation to verify their disability or special needs. After the accommodations have been approved by the Disability Services Committee, the 504 Coordinator, will notify your professor(s) of the Committee’s decision. If you have any questions regarding reasonable accommodation or need to request disability-related services, please contact Disability Services at (334) 833-4556 or email disabilityservices@huntingdon.edu."