[ Wesleyan Home Page ] [ WesMaps Home Page ] [ WesMaps Archive ] [ Course Search ] [ Course Search by CID ]
Academic Year 2004/2005

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
Jack Snyder, THE IDEOLOGY OF THE OFFENSIVE

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Class participation, several papers, final take-home exam.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Students who have not taken the prerequisites may speak to the instructor about an override.

"Students who wish to be eligible to register for the course during Drop/Add should add themselves to the enrollment request system during on-line registration. Enrollment request preference rankings will be one factor I will consider in making Drop/Add period registration decisions."

COURSE FORMAT: Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

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

Prerequisites: GOVT155 OR GOVT311 OR GOVT388 OR GOVT330 Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-21-2005

Contact wesmaps@wesleyan.edu to submit comments or suggestions. Please include a url, course title, faculty name or other page reference in your email

Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459