Title: New and Noteworthy Courses, Spring 2022

• INAF 405-01 | Writing: International Affairs

Instructor(s): Charles E. King

Term: Spring 2022

3-Credit Seminar | 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesdays | St. Mary’s 126

This advanced, writing-intensive course will give students the opportunity to explore a number of different genres of writing in the field of international affairs: long-form reporting, profile/biographical pieces, policy analysis, and “color” articles that provide fine-grained insight into places and issues in the global arena, among others. We will examine how journalists, historians, social scientists, policy commentators, and others make arguments, explore themes, and package their work for the reading public. Students who sign up for this course should already have had experience with substantial writing assignments in other classes (such as multiple essays over the course of a semester or a semester-long term paper or similar original assignment). We will focus in this course on form and technique, rather than sentence-level writing, so students should come to the class already reasonably skilled as writers of good academic prose. Readings are drawn from major international affairs magazines/journals and recent books by leading authorities in journalism, history, and current affairs. Assignments include multiple essays and writing exercises, with required revisions.

• IPOL 410-01 | Foundations of Grand Strategy

Instructor(s): John McNeill and Charles A. Kupchan

Term: Spring 2022

3-Credit Lecture | 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Mondays | White-Gravenor 206

The School of Foreign Service now offers a one-semester course called Foundations of Grand Strategy, IPOL-410, taught by professors Charles Kupchan and John McNeill. The class will combine three main approaches to the study of grand strategy. First, it will engage in close reading of classic texts by authors from different political and cultural contexts, such as Sun Tzu, Kautilya, Machiavelli, and Clausewitz. Second, it will examine historical case studies from ancient to modern times, chiefly great powers such as the Roman Empire, Mongol Empire, Soviet Union, and United States. Third, it will consider strategic issues of the contemporary world, including those involving the U.S., China, and perhaps some non-state actors. The class aims to help students to think strategically about international history and global politics.

• INAF 362-01 | History’s Influence on Foreign Affairs

Instructor(s): Kelly M. McFarland

Term: Spring 2022

3-Credit Seminar | 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Mondays | White-Gravenor 201A

Historical knowledge—and the knowledge of how nation states, politicians, world leaders, non-state actors, and national polities use history in the conduct of foreign affairs—is crucial to success as a diplomat or foreign policy practitioner. From the 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, to myriad examples of American policymakers using the Munich and Vietnam analogies when debating policy, to China’s current use of history to make claims in the South China Sea, history is an ever-present factor in international affairs. This course will examine the ways in which these groups have used history to create historical narratives and its effects on the formulation and implementation of foreign policy. It will also examine the ways in which some countries deal with difficult aspects of their history. Key to this course will be an exploration of what history is, how it is portrayed, and who decides how it is portrayed. We will pursue the questions of how we can learn from history, how it affects international affairs, and what kinds of “lessons learned” policymakers can derive from history (and why). Furthermore, we will consider the question of whether or not historical analogies aid or burden policymaking decisions. Understanding history and how it is used is only one aspect of affective policymaking. Students will also explore how to sift through this information to make informed policy decisions in a fast-paced environment. Tasks will include weekly reading and short writing assignments; student led class discussions; and researching, writing, and presenting an eight to ten page final research paper on a topic of their choosing that deals with an issue of history in international affairs. This course is also a foundation course for both the undergraduate and graduate students getting a certificate in diplomatic studies from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy. Issues to be covered will include: -The uses and misuses of history: an overview of history in international affairs -Using history in the decision-making process -The Vietnam Syndrome and the Munich Analogy -Memory and its effects on policy.

• INAF 341-01 | Hate Groups and Social Media 

Instructor(s): Daniel Byman

Term: Spring 2022

3-Credit Seminar | 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays| White-Gravenor 409

The Internet is full of dangerous content that poses an array of security risks. Neo-Nazis, Islamic State supporters, and the “Incel” movement are only a few of the movements or organizations that peddle hate and have had members involved in terrorism and political violence. In addition, states often play a dangerous role. The government of Myanmar, for example, has pushed propaganda that contributed to genocidal levels of violence. In the United States and several other democratic countries, even hateful groups have a right to free speech, but do they have a right to be on every Internet platform? How do Internet companies determine whom to ban and whom to permit to use their services? Are there alternative approaches to banning content or users that technology companies should consider? What are the business, human rights, and legal implications of these choices? Which actors have a responsibility to act and why, if at all, should private businesses consider policing their platforms? These are some of the questions this course will address. Students will work to explore different technical, legal, and policy solutions to the problems of the radical presence on the Internet and abusive government behavior. Students will gain the following from the class: 1. Learn about several states and radical groups and how they exploit the Internet; 2. Understand the basics of the architecture of the Internet and the implications of this for policy; 3. Gain insight into the legal, policy, and political environment facing Internet companies; and 4. Develop problem-solving skills. The class encourages students to apply their ideas to practical “inbox” problems facing Internet company executives, learn to present their ideas effectively, and incorporate professional feedback.

• INAF 372-01 | Niebuhr: Race/Politics/Theology

Instructor(s): Shaun Casey

Term: Spring 2022

3-Credit Seminar | 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Thursdays| Berkeley Center 3307 M Street

• GHDP 495-01 | Learn Listen: Afghanistan from the Afghan Point of View

Instructor(s): Scott Guggenheim

Term: Spring 2022

1.5-Credit Seminar | 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Fridays | Healy 103

• GHDP 497-20 | Dev Relig Act: Diverg Cmn Grnd

Instructor(s): Katherine Marshall

Term: Spring 2022

1.5 Credit Seminar | 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on Thursdays | Intercultural Center 116