GraSPP
東京大学公共政策大学院Area Politics C (The Role of Ideas in US Politics)
Instructors
BATES Scott
Term / Language / Credits
S1S2 / English / 2
Objectives
This course is entitled "Understanding America: The Role of Ideas and Leaders in Shaping U.S. Politics."
The goal of the course is to help students unlock the secrets of the American domestic and foreign policy decision making process. We accomplish this goal by promoting a deeper understanding of the power of ideas on American political culture and the influence of certain leaders on the political process.
We begin with a survey of the foundations of American political thought from the founding of the Republic to the present day. We discuss how these ideas have clashed with reality in the face of divisions on race, gender and the role of the state in the economy and national security. We review how various leaders met these challenges past and present.
Students will gain a sophisticated appreciation of why certain policy choices are made in American domestic and foreign policy. They will be well prepared to see behind the headlines and understand the forces that drive US politics and public policy choices, past, present and future.
Keywords
American politics, US liberalism, conservative movement, libertarian, Ronald Reagan, Franklin Roosevelt, LBJ
Schedule
15 Class sessions, from the week of July 29th to that of August 7th.
Teaching Methods
Lecture and discussion. Students will be encouraged to engage with the instructor and colleagues. There will also be an opportunity for a decision making simulation in which students will play important roles in US politics in a national crisis scenario.
Grading
Class participation and a paper
Required Textbook
The Vital Center by Arthur Schlesinger, Houghton Mifflin 1949
And various articles as assigned
Related Websites
www.politico.com, ？？www.heritage.org, www.americanprogress.org, www.cato.org
Miscellaneous Information
This course is made possible by the generous contribution by the Shibusawa Ei'ichi Memorial Foundation.