Foreign Policy and Security: Course Map & Recommended Resources
Overview
Foreign Policy and Security
The resources included here are intended to map to the following learning objectives for an American Government Course:
- Define the nuclear triad.
- Define the European Union.
- Explain free trade vs. protectionism and explain how free trade affects different kinds of workers.
- Question the role of the United Nations and NATO.
- Compare and contrast hard power and soft power and the tools of U.S. diplomacy.
- Identify current threats and challenges to national security and global stability.
Web-Based Materials
Textbooks
Main Text: American Government - Lumen Learning
Alternative Text: American Politics and Government in the Information Age
Chapter 17: Foreign and National Security Policies
Alternative Text: Boundless Political Science
Recommended Textbook & Alternate Materials
Textbooks
Main Text: American Government - Lumen Learning
Alternative Text: American Politics and Government in the Information Age
Alternative Text: Boundless Political Science
Web-Based Materials
Discussion Questions and Key Concepts
Discussion Questions
- Defining terrorism has similarities to defining obscenity: I know it when I see it. Discuss the various problems in defining terrorism and compose a working definition of terrorism.
- Define the role of the United Nations today. Evaluate how effective the UN is in carrying out its role. Should the US remain a member of the UN? Why or why not?
- With respect to foreign policy and its role overseas, should the US expand its role, restrict its role (become more isolationist), or keep its role about the same? Explain.
- It’s been said that the US only intervenes when the US interests are at stake. Evaluate that statement. Is it true or not? Why do you say that? Provide examples.
Key Terms
- Containment
- Détente
- Deterrence
- Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD)
- Weapons of mass destruction
- Bipolar
- Unilateralism
- Multilateralism
- Department of Homeland Security
- Bush Doctrine
- Preemptive War Doctrine
- Conventional War
- Guerilla War
- Military industrial complex
- Protectionism
- World Trade Organization
- Rally ‘round the flag effect