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

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Synchronous online teaching
Teacher(s)
Aaron Walter, MBA, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Zdeněk Kříž, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Thu 13:00–14:40 bude_upresneno
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
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 Students will engage with historical documents, speeches, and contemporary policy debates to understand how principles like nationalism, democracy, morality, security, and economic interest drive U.S.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.
Learning outcomes
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.
Syllabus
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
Teaching methods
Lecture and in-class discussion.
Assessment methods
Assignments and Evaluation Weekly Reading Reflections: 20%
 Midterm Essay: 25%
 Final Exam: 30%
 Oral Presentation: 10%
 Participation: 25%
Language of instruction
English
Follow-Up Courses
Study support
https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/fss/podzim2025/MVZn5034/index.qwarp
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Teacher's information
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.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2025/MVZn5034