American Exceptionalism and American Foreign Policy: Myth or Reality?

3 credits · School of Public Policy

What is 'American exceptionalism?' How has it influenced American foreign policy historically, during the Cold War, post-9/11, and today? Has the exceptionalist claim of special virtue been more myth or reality? Issues to be addressed include wars and other military interventions, democracy promotion, human rights, immigration, international economic policy, and others. Particular attention is on the interrelationship of race relations within the United States and race as a factor in policy abroad. While grounded in politics, policy and history the course is highly interdisciplinary including literature, art, film, philosophy and journalism.