US Foreign Policy 2104-M-D2PUSA-SRG
The course is designed to familiarize students with key dimensions of U.S. foreign policy.
It examines how American foreign policy is formulated and implemented, with the primary goal of deepening students’ understanding of the principles, institutions, and processes that shape U.S. foreign policy.
The program is divided into two main modules, each covering a set of thematic areas.
The first module focuses on the political, economic, and ideological foundations of U.S. foreign policy. It also explores the decision‑making process, including the role of the Constitution, the executive and legislative branches, and influential actors such as public opinion, the media, and interest groups.
The second module addresses major contemporary policy issues - such as terrorism, energy issues, human rights, and foreign aid - and includes an analysis of U.S. foreign relations with various regions and countries worldwide.
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Term 2024L:
The course is designed to acquaint students with different aspects of the US Foreign Policy. This course analyzes the formation and conduct of foreign policy in the United States. The main goal of this course is to enhance the students’ understanding of the U.S. Foreign Policy. The program consists of two main modules divided into specific topics. The first module concentrates on political, economical and ideological foundations of the U.S. foreign policy. It deals also with decision making process - the role of the Constitution, executive and legislative branches and other powerful structures (such as public opinion, media or interest groups) in the formation of the U.S. foreign policy. The second module deals with the major policy issues in contemporary U.S. foreign policy (such as terrorism, human rights, financial aid and so on) as well as the analyses of U.S. foreign relation with other region and countries. |
Term 2025L:
The course is designed to acquaint students with different aspects of the US Foreign Policy. This course analyzes the formation and conduct of foreign policy in the United States. The main goal of this course is to enhance the students’ understanding of the U.S. Foreign Policy. The program consists of two main modules divided into specific topics. The first module concentrates on political, economical and ideological foundations of the U.S. foreign policy. It deals also with decision making process - the role of the Constitution, executive and legislative branches and other powerful structures (such as public opinion, media or interest groups) in the formation of the U.S. foreign policy. The second module deals with the major policy issues in contemporary U.S. foreign policy (such as terrorism, human rights, financial aid and so on) as well as the analyses of U.S. foreign relation with other region and countries. |
Term 2026L:
The course is designed to acquaint students with different aspects of the US Foreign Policy. This course analyzes the formation and conduct of foreign policy in the United States. The main goal of this course is to enhance the students’ understanding of the U.S. Foreign Policy. The program consists of two main modules divided into specific topics. The first module concentrates on political, economical and ideological foundations of the U.S. foreign policy. It deals also with decision making process - the role of the Constitution, executive and legislative branches and other powerful structures (such as public opinion, media or interest groups) in the formation of the U.S. foreign policy. The second module deals with the major policy issues in contemporary U.S. foreign policy (such as terrorism, human rights, financial aid and so on) as well as the analyses of U.S. foreign relation with other region and countries. |
Course coordinators
Type of course
Mode
Prerequisites (description)
Learning outcomes
After finishing this course students should:
understand the main theoretical viewpoints, problems and issues in the U.S. Foreign Policy area as well as day-to-day events reported in the media
have a background knowledge in various areas of the U.S. Foreign Policy
become familiar with a variety of sources on the U.S. Foreign Policy available in selected literature and through the Internet
develop the capacity for analytical and critical thinking
develop the ability to formulate reasoned conclusions
develop the writing skills (student should: use the available resources properly, be able to synthesize ideas from different sources in formulating valid thesis statements, know how to incorporate texts into writing, including citing sources and creating bibliographies)
S4_W01, S4_W04, S4_W06, S4_W07, S4_U01, S4_U02, S4_U03, S4_U05, S4_U06, S4_K01, S4_K02, S4_K04
Assessment criteria
1. Class participation and activities related to the knowledge presented in the literature and current US foreign policy events - 20%.
2. Students’ project- 10%
3. Final quiz 20%
AI usage - Level 4: AI Task Completion, Human Evaluation
AI is used to complete certain elements of the task, with students providing discussion or commentary on the AI-generated content. This level requires critical engagement with Al generated content and evaluating its output.
Student may use Al to complete specified tasks. Any Al created content must be cited.
Practical placement
none
Bibliography
Basic literature:
• Hook Steven W., U.S. Foreign Policy: The Paradox of World Power, CQ Press College; 6th edition, 2020
• Jentleson Bruce W., American Foreign Policy: The Dynamics of Choice in the 21st Century, Fifth Edition), W. W. Norton & Company; 5th edition, 2013
• Jones M. A., Historia USA. Narody i Cywilizacje, Wydawnictwo MARABUT, Gdańsk 2002
• Kissinger H., DOES AMERICA NEED A FOREIGN POLICY? TOWARD A DIPLOMACY FOR THE 21 CENTURY, Simon & Schuster, New York 2002.
• US Constitution
• National Security Strategies of the United States
• National Defense Strategies
• Congress and US Foreign Policy, https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/congress-and-us-foreign-policy
• Strategic Studies Quarterly, selected issues
• Roczniki Strategiczne from 1995 to present, Wydawnictwo Naukowe Scholar, Warszawa
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Term 2024L:
Basic literature: • US Constitution |
Term 2025L:
Basic literature: • US Constitution |
Term 2026L:
Basic literature: • US Constitution |
Notes
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Term 2024L:
The course is held in blocks for half of the semester - i.e. double classes that run from 9:45 am to 1:00 pm. |
Term 2025L:
The course is held in blocks for half of the semester - i.e. double classes that run from 9:45 am to 1:00 pm. |
Term 2026L:
The course is held in blocks for half of the semester - i.e. double classes that run from 9:45 am to 1:00 pm. |