US FOREIGN POLICY

PLSC 302 (Spring 2019)

Final Exam Study Guide

The final exam will consist of two essay questions from the list below (worth 45 points each out
of a total of 100 points) and ten multiple choice/fill in the blank questions (worth one point each).
There will be a choice of three questions—you write on two of them. The exam will cover material
from the textbooks, classroom lectures and discussion, and films. Answers to the essay questions
should be detailed and well thought-out and contain ***specific examples*** from the readings,
lectures, discussions, and films. Answer all aspects of the questions. Exam is Tuesday at 8:00 am.

I. Essay Questions (3 will be selected, you write on 2, 1 not chosen will be covered in
multiple choice & short answer)
-specific examples, readings covered
-analytical thinking, factual information

1) Use the “funnel” model of US foreign policy from the Hastedt text (and discussed in
class) to analyze American foreign policy during the Reagan and George W. Bush
administrations. Choose two specific policy decisions (one from each presidency) to
illustrate how the model illuminates some of the policy decisions during this time, and
to compare/contrast explanation. Use specific examples from the reading, and draw
in part on the class lecture on this period from Dr. Meena Bose. In this essay, take a
couple of sentences to discuss the model in general, then apply it the policy decisions.

2) Write an essay in which you compare and contrast the State Department, Department
of Defense, and the Intelligence Community as actors in American foreign policy.
What are the roles and responsibilities of each agency/area in the foreign
policymaking process? How influential is each agency and how/why has this
changed over time? What are the internal cultures of these agencies? Illustrate your
points with specific examples.

3) Discuss the roles of the presidency and Congress in American foreign policy. What
are the president’s constitutional powers related to foreign policy? What are the
strengths of the president in foreign policy? What are the limitations on the power of
the president in foreign policy? In what ways (and under what conditions) does
Congress enhance or limit presidential power in foreign policy? Use specific examples
to support your essay. What factors impact the relative influence of the presidency vs.
Congress in foreign policy?

4) Write an essay in which you compare/contrast the three major categories of US

foreign policy instruments: diplomatic, military, and economic instruments. What are
the major advantages and limitations of each instrument in advancing US interests?
What are some examples of effective and ineffective uses of these policy tools?

II. Multiple Choice/Fill in the Blank

 Questions in this section of the exam will be drawn from readings, case studies, and
class discussions. They will focus on key terms, names and concepts covered in readings,
videos, guest lectures and class meetings SINCE THE MIDTERM EXAM (covering material on
the syllabus beginning with the Nixon Administration). I suggest reviewing each chapter,
reviewing class notes, and paying attention to the big lessons and concepts from each unit.