MVZn5034 Power and Principle: U.S. Foreign Policy Traditions

Fakulta sociálních studií
podzim 2025
Rozsah
2/0. 4 kr. Ukončení: zk.
Vyučováno synchronně online
Vyučující
Aaron Walter, MBA, Ph.D. (přednášející)
Garance
prof. PhDr. Zdeněk Kříž, Ph.D.
Katedra mezinárodních vztahů a evropských studií – Fakulta sociálních studií
Kontaktní osoba: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Dodavatelské pracoviště: Katedra mezinárodních vztahů a evropských studií – Fakulta sociálních studií
Rozvrh
Čt 13:00–14:40 bude_upresneno
Omezení zápisu do předmětu
Předmět je nabízen i studentům mimo mateřské obory.
Mateřské obory/plány
Cíle předmětu
This course explores the major traditions and competing schools of thought that have shaped U.S. foreign policy from the founding of the republic to the present day. Emphasis is placed on the Jacksonian and Wilsonian traditions, as well as other paradigms such as Jeffersonian restraint and Hamiltonian realism. Students will engage with historical documents, speeches, and contemporary policy debates to understand how principles like nationalism, democracy, morality, security, and economic interest drive U.S. global engagement.
Výstupy z učení
By the end of this course, students will be able to: Identify and distinguish between key U.S. foreign policy traditions. Analyze major historical events and decisions through different foreign policy lenses. Understand the ideological foundations behind U.S. international behavior. Apply theoretical perspectives to current foreign policy issues. Evaluate how domestic politics influence foreign policy choices.
Osnova
The instructor reserves the right to edit required readings. Weekly Schedule Week 1: Introduction to U.S. Foreign Policy Traditions Topics: What is foreign policy? Realism vs. idealism, power vs. principle.
 Readings:
 Jentleson, Ch. 1
 Mead, Introduction
 Week 2: The Hamiltonian Tradition – Realism and Economic Engagement Topics: Trade, strong government, and alliances with power.
 Readings:
 Mead, Ch. 1 (“The Hamiltonians”)
 Federalist Papers excerpts (#11, #23)
 Week 3: The Jeffersonian Tradition – Restraint and Anti-Imperialism Topics: Isolationism, democracy at home, and skepticism of entanglements.
 Readings:
 Mead, Ch. 2 (“The Jeffersonians”)
 Jefferson’s First Inaugural Address
 Jentleson, Ch. 2
 Week 4: The Jacksonian Tradition – National Honor and Populist Nationalism Topics: Honor, unilateralism, military response to threats.
 Readings:
 Mead, Ch. 3 (“The Jacksonians”)
 Selected Jackson speeches and modern parallels
 Week 5: The Wilsonian Tradition – Moralism and Democratic Globalism Topics: Idealism, human rights, and the promotion of democracy.
 Readings:
 Mead, Ch. 4 (“The Wilsonians”)
 Wilson’s Fourteen Points
 Jentleson, Ch. 3
 Week 6: Competing Traditions in the Founding to the Civil War Era Topics: Washington’s Farewell Address, Monroe Doctrine, Manifest Destiny
 Readings:
 Primary source excerpts (Washington, Monroe, Polk)
 Jentleson, Ch. 4
 Week 7: U.S. Foreign Policy in the 20th Century: From Isolationism to Global Leadership Topics: WWI, WWII, and the rise of American power
 Readings:
 Brands, Ch. 1–2
 Jentleson, Ch. 5
 Week 8: The Cold War – Grand Strategy in a Bipolar World Topics: Containment, Truman Doctrine, Nixon and détente
 Readings:
 Brands, Ch. 3–4
 Truman Doctrine speech
 Jentleson, Ch. 6
 Week 9: Post-Cold War Foreign Policy – Primacy or Restraint? Topics: Unipolarity, humanitarian intervention, Clinton doctrine
 Readings:
 Brands, Ch. 5
 Mead, selected conclusion
 Jentleson, Ch. 7
 Week 10: The War on Terror and Neoconservatism Topics: Bush doctrine, preventive war, democracy promotion
 Readings:
 Brands, Ch. 6–7
 Selected Bush speeches
 Jentleson, Ch. 8
 Week 11: America First? Foreign Policy Under Trump Topics: Populism, nationalism, and strategic retrenchment
 Readings:
 Articles on Trump’s foreign policy (provided)
 Jentleson, Ch. 9
 Week 12: Biden, Ukraine, and the Return of Great Power Competition Topics: Renewed NATO leadership, U.S.-China rivalry
 Readings:
 Selected articles and White House strategy documents
 Jentleson, Ch. 10
 Week 13: Student Presentations & Course Wrap-Up Activities:
 Student research presentations
 Roundtable discussion: What future for U.S. foreign policy?
 Course evaluations and final review
Výukové metody
Lecture and in-class discussions
Metody hodnocení
Weekly Reading Reflections: 20%
 Midterm Essay: 25%
 Final Exam: 30%
 Oral Presentation: 10%
 Participation: 25%
Vyučovací jazyk
Angličtina
Navazující předměty
Informace učitele
Dr. Aaron T. Walter is an adjunct faculty member within FSS at Masaryk University, offering courses on U.S. foreign policy tradition, U.S. foreign policy towards Israel, Israeli foreign policy, decision-making at the executive level, and contemporary antisemitism. He has a PhD in International Relations from Masaryk University.
Studijní opora
https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/fss/podzim2025/MVZn5034/index.qwarp
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