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Academic Year 2000/2001

Decision Making and International Security
GOVT 316 SP

In this analysis of responses to threats to security in international and domestic politics, the focus is on decisions to use military force or to respond to the use of force, often in crisis situations. The course employs a case approach that involves intensive class discussion. We will discuss psychological factors (e.g., the role of misperceptions, belief systems, or cognitive structures) in decision making, the effects of historical analogies, the impact of domestic politics (or internal interests) and of the international system, and, in general, the adequacy of rational-actor models. This course, however, differs from conventional approaches to foreign policy decision making by including nongovernmental actors, integrating domestic and foreign policy issues, and extending the scope of the analysis to governments other than the American.

MAJOR READINGS

Yuen Khong, ANALOGIES AT WAR Allen S. Whiting, CHINA CROSSES THE YALU Deborah Larson, ORIGINS OF CONTAINMENT Jini Valenta, THE SOVIET INVASION OF CZECHOSLOVAKIA

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Class participation, several papers, final exam.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Students who have not taken the prerequisites may speak to the instructor about an over-ride. Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office. Students on the list of failed enrollments will be given priority if there are openings in the class at the first meeting.

COURSE FORMAT: Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS GOVT    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: GOVT155 OR GOVT311 Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-26-2001

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