Critical Social Inquiry 0268 - America & the World

The next U.S. president will face a world dramatically transformed from that encountered by Barack Obama when he first assumed office in 2009. China and Russia have become far more assertive in their respective zones of interest, the civil war in Syria has claimed nearly a half-million lives and triggered a devastating refugee crisis in Europe, ISIS has spread terror and violence in numerous countries, and climate change has begun to alter the planet in terrifying ways. President Obama sought to address foreign challenges with minimal reliance on military force, but many politicians - including the two candidates for president in 2016 - argued that he was not forceful enough. Now, with a new president, we can expect sweeping changes in the way Washington conducts its foreign relations. This course will assess the legacy of the Obama administration and the ways in which U.S. foreign policy is likely to change under a new administration. Students will be expected to follow and discuss current affairs, to read selected texts and articles on the subject, and to submit a research paper on some aspect of U.S. foreign policy.

Power, Community and Social Justice Independent Work Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research Students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time.