How did the United States get involved in Vietnam, and why did it
stay in the war long after U.S. leaders knew we could not win?  Why
did the U.S. give Saddam Hussein the green light to attack Kuwait?
Why is Russia helping Iran acquire nuclear weapons which could be
targeted against Russian cities?  States often act in highly puzzling
ways in world politics.  This course will help you understand why
they do so.  It will examine some of the many factors which influence
foreign policy behavior: the impact of individual leaders and
personalities; the circumstances under which decisions are made;
individual and collective perceptions and misperceptions; national
values, beliefs and experiences; institutional structures and
processes; and political and socio-economic systems.  A role-playing
exercise at the end of the semester will give students an opportunity
to apply what they have learned in simulating the behavior of foreign
policy decisionmakers.
	Principal requirements: two exams (short answer and essay
questions), two short papers and participation in class.