Historical Analogies and Foreign Policy Decision Making
INTL 4860
3 hours
Historical Analogies and Foreign Policy Decision Making
Course Description
Course merges historical analysis with cognitive science to examine how historical analogies influence political decisions and public opinion on foreign policy. Students research their impact and collaboratively design experiments to test how leaders use historical lessons to manipulate and mobilize public opinion on international issues.
Athena Title
History and Foreign Policy
Prerequisite
INTL 1100 or INTL 1100E or INTL 1100H or POLS 1101 or POLS 1101E or POLS 1101H or POLS 1101S or any 2000-level HIST course
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to recall and apply key concepts in international affairs (e.g., the international system, actors in the international system, the principles of sovereignty and anarchy).
By the end of this course, students will be able to compare and contrast various political systems and consider their advantages and disadvantages from the perspective of different societal actors.
By the end of this course, students will be able to explain, critique, and apply the major theoretical approaches and models used within international relations and comparative politics.
By the end of this course, students will have practice evaluating the causes and effects of historical and contemporary global events, by choosing and applying appropriate theoretical models, interpreting and contextualizing past research findings, and/or analyzing empirical data (qualitative or quantitative).
By the end of this course, students will be able to locate sources of data and evaluate their credibility and their appropriateness for testing a given theory or hypothesis.
By the end of this course, students will be able to articulate opinions on certain global issues, informed by the application of theoretical models, research findings, and/or empirical data (qualitative or quantitative).
By the end of this course, students will be able to express their opinions on certain global issues through formal writing assignments and have the opportunity to revise and refine their writing in response to feedback from the instructor.
By the end of this course, students will be able to identify the key components of social science research.
By the end of this course, students will be able to appreciate and analyze policy interdependence--that is, how the choices that one actor or group of actors make (e.g., citizens, firms, countries) affect the lives and decisions of other actors or groups of actors.
Topical Outline
Section 1: Setting the Traditional Foreign Policy Framework
1.a Understanding theoretical models:
Identify the major theories of foreign policy decision-making such as the rational actor model, bureaucratic politics model, and organizational process model, including their strengths and weaknesses.
1.b Identifying key actors:
Recognizing the roles of different actors in foreign policy decision-making, including government leaders, bureaucratic agencies, interest groups, media, and public opinion.
Section 2: Historical Analogies and their Impact
2.a Central Role of Historical Analogies: Explain how historical analogies serve as a central framework for understanding and influencing foreign policy decision-making and public opinion.
2.b Patterns of Analogy Use: Identify recurring historical analogies (e.g., “Munich,” “Vietnam”) and their centrality in shaping elite-level decision-making and public discourse.
2.c Decision-Making Contexts: Understand the psychological, political, and historical contexts in which policymakers and the public rely on historical analogies.
2.d Public Opinion and Narratives: Explore how elites use historical analogies to influence public opinion, often framing complex foreign policy issues in relatable terms.
Section 3: Application
3.a Research Project: Student teams develop three “framing concepts” using historical analogies to mobilize public support for a contemporary foreign policy issue
3.b Responsible Usage: Reflect on the ethical implications of using historical analogies as a persuasive tool in foreign policy practice
