THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE Political Science 228

THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
Political Science 228
Congress and Foreign Policy
523 Old Mill
T/Th, 4:00-5:15
Fall 2013
Professor Eileen Burgin
[email protected]
531 Old Mill (o)
Office Hours: T (12:15-12:45),T/Th
(2:30-3:45), or by appointment
Course Description
In Political Science 228, we will examine Congress’s role in foreign policy making. Congress’s
constitutional powers grant it vast authority in foreign relations. Nonetheless, many observers argue that
it was not until the 1970s that Congress began asserting its institutional prerogatives and assuming a
more vigilant and involved role in the foreign policy arena. The primary focus of this course, consequently, will be on congressional action in the post-Vietnam period. Political Science 228 is run as a
seminar course, not a lecture course. Therefore, class meetings will be mainly discussion. Finally, this
semester we have the honor of hosting Howard Dean, MD, former Governor of Vermont, in his first
involvement at UVM as a Marsh Professor.
Readings
There are five required books. Make sure that you get the correct edition of these books. The first four
books are available at the bookstore. The last book you will need to purchase through Amazon.
Inexpensive used copies of the books are available on Amazon.
David P. Auerswald and Colton C. Campbell, editors. 2012. Congress and the Politics of National
Security. (hereafter Auerswald and Colton).
Roger H. Davidson, Walter J. Oleszek, Frances E. Lee, and Eric Schickler. 2014. Congress and Its
Members. 14th ed. (hereafter D, O, L, and S).
Randall Ripley and James Lindsay, editors. 1993. Congress Resurgent: Foreign and Defense Policy on
Capitol Hill. (hereafter Ripley and Lindsay).
Cecil Crabb and Pat Holt. 1992. Invitation to Struggle: Congress, the President, and Foreign Policy. 4th
ed. (hereafter Crabb and Holt).
William S. Cohen and George J. Mitchell. 1989. Men of Zeal.
Required readings are online as well. You will access most of these readings through the UVM Library
website under Course Reserves and via CATQuest (just type in the article title). In addition, I provide
some URLs in the syllabus. For most readings I have included an adequate citation to use for locating a
hard copy of the material in case you have trouble with the online version.
As events unfold regarding Congress and foreign policy, I will post articles on blackboard primarily from
the Washington Post and New York Times that you are required to read.
Course Requirements
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Completion of the readings assigned for each class prior to the class meeting - The reading
assignments range from about 40-250 pages. Beginning week 4, reading assignments are due on
Tuesdays of each week. As events unfold, some assignments may be added and others may be
deleted. Please note that although some readings may address the same issue or case study, the
readings will offer different perspectives or additional information, and therefore are all
necessary to complete. Readings listed as “Recommended” are required for weekly “experts,”
and I encourage others to complete the readings as well. But in an effort to reduce the quantity
of required readings, I am providing the “Recommended” category.
Thoughtful consideration of discussion topics before class - I will pass out a sheet listing these
topics a week in advance.
Quality participation in class discussions - I am evaluating quality of participation, not quantity.
For instance, do you help to move the discussion forward in a constructive, analytically critical
fashion? Do you aid in fostering an environment of collaborative and reflective thinking? Do
you assist in clarifying and developing the ideas of your classmates? Your active and thoughtful
involvement will help to shape your own learning experience and the learning experiences of
your classmates.
Keeping abreast of Congress’s foreign policy activities by reading the newspaper articles I post
on blackboard - Most of these articles will be from the Washington Post and New York Times. I
encourage you to read other papers as well.
Submission of three papers of medium length (5-7 pages, and not over 8 pages) - Most of these
papers will be so-called thought papers, yet also will require you to use primary sources. No
paper will receive a grade of over 40 points if it fails to use primary sources adequately when the
question instructs you to refer to primary sources. Every student must write at least one paper
that requires the use of primary sources. The papers should be 1/4 background information and
3/4s analysis. I am not looking for a summary or review of the issue you are addressing in the
analytical portion of the paper. Instead, you should articulate an argument, defend the position,
consider opposing viewpoints, and offer a rebuttal. No paper will receive a grade of over 40
points if it is descriptive rather than analytical. Complete all of the required reading before
starting your paper and the outside research – you are likely to miss relevant information if you
do not do so. Papers must be typed, double-spaced, stapled, use proper grammar and spelling,
and include appropriate citations. Do not use a font smaller than 11. I expect papers to be well
written and clearly argued. If you have trouble with the basics of writing, you should visit the
Writing Center for assistance. Any paper that is not well written, no matter how brilliant your
argument may be, will not receive a grade of over 40 points – I should not have to struggle when
reading your paper to try to figure out what you are attempting to say. I will not accept unstapled
papers or e-mailed papers – they will receive a 0. The papers are due on Tuesdays when class
begins (4:00). If you submit a paper late, your grade will be reduced on that paper by 15 points
for each 24 hours that the paper is late. For instance, if you hand in a paper on Wednesday at
4:30 p.m., a perfect paper (60 points) would be lowered by 30 points because it is in the second
24-hour period. For the three weeks that you write a medium-length paper you will serve as one
of the “experts,” and we will use your paper as the springboard to begin discussion. I will
explain these papers further in the first class.
Submission of up to six short papers, for weeks that you are not serving as an expert - These 2
page reflection papers should provide thoughtful analysis regarding just one aspect of, or theme
in, the required reading listed in the syllabus – I am not looking for a summary or review of the
readings. The journal format follows: articulate an argument, defend the position, consider
opposing viewpoints, and offer a rebuttal. The reflections on the reading will demonstrate
completion of the reading assignment and perhaps link the reading with class discussions, other
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readings, or outside experiences. (Please be aware that I will notice if you repeatedly choose to
address issues raised only in the shortest readings.) All papers must be typed, double-spaced,
stapled, use proper grammar and spelling, and include appropriate citations. As explained above,
I will not accept unstapled or e-mailed papers – they will receive a 0. Do not use a font smaller
than 11. The papers also are due on Tuesdays when class begins, and late papers will receive a
0. I will count only your highest three short paper grades in calculating your final grade – your
lowest three grades will be dropped. (No short papers are due for weeks 1, 2, 3, 14, and 15.)
Completion of a final exam - The exam will have essay questions only. If you attend class but do
not complete the readings, you will fail the exam; similarly, if you complete the readings but do
not attend class, you will not pass the exam. The final exam is offered only at its scheduled time,
12/10, 4:30-6:30.
Attendance at all class sessions - I will mark attendance each class period, and will take
deductions from final grades for students who miss more than one class session. Class attendance is mandatory; you do not receive a boost in your grade for a course requirement, but do
suffer a final grade deduction if you fail to fulfill this guideline. Only take POLS 228 if you plan
on attending every class meeting. In addition, since you cannot participate in class if you are not
present, regular attendance is a necessity. If you arrive in class late, you will be counted as
absent on that day. Class notes should be taken, and may not be taken on laptops.
Checking blackboard - I will communicate with the class regularly via blackboard. Make sure
that you check blackboard for announcements and for newspaper readings.
Adherence to the Political Science Department classroom protocol - a) Students are expected to
attend and be prepared for ALL regularly scheduled classes. b) Students are expected to arrive on
time and stay in class until the class period ends. If a student knows in advance that s/he will
need to leave early, s/he should notify the instructor before the class period begins. c) Students
are expected to treat faculty and fellow students with respect. For example, students must not
disrupt class by leaving and reentering during class, must not distract class by making noise, and
must be attentive to comments being made by the instructor and by peers.
Additional circumstances - If you will miss class for a religious holiday, you must submit to me
in writing a documented religious holiday schedule for the semester by the end of the second full
week of classes. If you have a physical or learning disability, please provide me with the
relevant paperwork from the ACCESS office by the end of the second full week of classes so that
we can discuss any relevant accommodations.
Honesty - Academic integrity is required – plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated. Please
familiarize yourself with proper citation practices and definitions of plagiarism and cheating.
Violations of academic honesty can result in serious consequences, and I will do my utmost to
insure the harshest possible sanctions, which may even include suspension or dismissal from the
university. If you have any questions about these issues, please do not hesitate to ask. For more
information, see http://www.uvm.edu/policies/student/acadintegrity.pdf.
Know the syllabus - Reread the syllabus periodically. Do not ask me questions that are explained
in this document.
Note-posting prohibited - Student notes are part of my intellectual property related to this class,
and may not be posted for profit. Any student violating this policy will receive an F in the
course.
Office Hours, Old Mill #531
Regular office hours are Tuesday (12:15-12:45) and Tuesday/Thursday (2:30-3:45). If you cannot meet
with me during office hours, please do not hesitate to arrange an appointment with me for another time.
The best way to reach me is by e-mail.
Basis for Course Grade
Short papers - 20 points each, for total of 60 points (20% of final grade)
Medium-length papers - 60 points each, for total of 180 points (60% of final grade)
Final exam - 60 points (20% of final grade)
*Superior class participation (quality, not quantity), will result in a boost to your final grade.
*Poor attendance (i.e., missing more than one class), will result in deductions from final grades.
*Please note that I do not curve grades – we are learning together in a cooperative environment, and you
should see yourself as benefitting from your classmates’ insights rather than competing against them.
*To pass the class, a student must submit three medium-length papers, write a minimum of three short
papers, and take the exam. Completion of all of these assignments is necessary to pass this course.
COURSE OUTLINE AND READINGS (subject to change)
Introduction to the Course - 8/27
An Overview of Congress, the Legislative Process, the Presidency, and Foreign Affairs
8/29 - Crabb and Holt. chapters 1 and 2.
9/3 -
D, O, L, and S. chapters 1, 5, 10, and 15.
Auerswald and Campbell. 2012. “Congress and National Security,” in Auerswald and Campbell.
9/5 -
D, O, L, and S. chapters 6, 7, and 8.
9/10 - *Access online through Course Reserves:
James Lindsay. 2012. “The Senate and Foreign Policy,” in The U.S. Senate: From Deliberation
to Dysfunction. Edited by Burdett Loomis.
*I will supply or post on blackboard:
Eileen Burgin. 1997. “Assessing Congress’s Role in the Making of Foreign Policy,” in Congress
Reconsidered. 6th ed. Edited by Lawrence Dodd and Bruce Oppenheimer.
9/12 - Meet in the library. No reading!
The Congressional Decision-Making Apparatus, Congressional Players in the Foreign Policy Game, and
Interest Groups - Week 4 (9/17, 9/19)
D, O, L, and S. chapters 9 and 13.
Eileen Burgin. 1993. “The Influence of Constituents: Congressional Decision Making on
Issues of Foreign and Defense Policy,” in Ripley and Lindsay.
John Tierney. 1993. “Interest Group Involvement in Congressional Foreign and Defense
Policy,” in Ripley and Lindsay.
*Access online through CATQuest:
Kirk Victor. 2001. “Senate’s Wartime Rebels.” National Journal (hereafter NJ). October 13.
Richard Cohen. 2001. “The Lonesome Dissenters.” NJ. November 3.
*Watch Charlie Wilson’s War - DVD available in Media Resources, Bailey/Howe.
RECOMMENDED:
*Access online through Course Reserves:
George Crile. 2003. Charlie Wilson’s War. pp. 1-39.
Jack Maskell. 2007. “Lobbying Law and Ethics Rules Changes in the 110th Congress.”
CRS Report for Congress. September 18.
*Access online through CATQuest:
Lisa Caruso. 2006. “Arab-Americans, Seeking Clout.” NJ. July 22.
Eliza Carney. 2008. “What You Don’t See.” NJ. March 22.
Jonathan Broder. 2011. “Israel's Voice Rings on Hill as Change Roils Mideast.” CQ Weekly
(hereafter CQ). May 16.
History - Pre-Vietnam War, Vietnam, and New Congressional Assertiveness - Week 5 (9/24, 9/26)
Robert Johnson. 2012. “Congress and U.S. Foreign Policy before 9/11,” in Auerswald
and Campbell.
Crabb and Holt. chapter 5 to p. 146.
*Access online through Course Reserves:
James Robinson. 1967. Congress and Foreign Policy-Making. chapter 2 excerpts,
“Congressional Involvement in Foreign Policy Decisions.”
CQ Staff. 1974. Congressional Quarterly Almanac, 1973. excerpts.
Thomas Franck and Edward Weisband. 1979. Foreign Policy by Congress. chapter 2.
James Sundquist. 1982. The Decline and Resurgence of Congress. chapters 5 and 9.
*Access online:
War Powers Resolution of 1973, text.
http://www.policyalmanac.org/world/archive/war_powers_resolution.shtml
*Bring copy of War Powers Resolution to class for 9/26 - We will read together.
RECOMMENDED:
*Access online through CATQuest:
Phil Duncan. 1995. “The Gulf of Tonkin Incident.” CQ. May 27.
Ronald Elving. 1995. “Vietnam and the Voice of Dissent.” CQ. June 24.
The War Powers Resolution - Week 6 (10/1, 10/3)
*Access online through Course Reserves:
Eileen Burgin. 1995. “Rethinking the Role of the War Powers Resolution: Congress and the
Persian Gulf War.” Journal of Legislation.
Brien Hallett. 2012. Declaring War: Congress, the President, and What the Constitution
Does Not Say. chapter 4.
*Access online through CATQuest:
Stuart Taylor. 2002. “An Invasion of Iraq Requires the Approval of Congress.” NJ. August 31.
Gebe Martinez. 2002. “Concerns Linger For Lawmakers Following Difficult Vote For
War” (includes “Analyzing the War Votes”). CQ. October 12.
Jonathan Broder and Seth Stern. 2011. “Obama Faces Criticism Over War Powers
Resolution Interpretation.” CQ. June 27.
*Access online:
Richard Grimmett. 2012. “War Powers Resolution: Presidential Compliance.”
CRS Reports for Congress. RL33532: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL33532.pdf.
RECOMMENDED:
Crabb and Holt. chapter 5 (pp. 146-163 only).
*Access online through Course Reserves:
Eileen Burgin. 1992. “Congress, the War Powers Resolution, and the Invasion of Panama.”
Polity.
*Access online through CATQuest:
Sean Sullivan. 2011. “A New Twist in GOP Views on Military Intervention.” NJ. June 11.
Marc Ambinder. 2011. “Obama Follows Bush Playbook on Libya.” NJ. June 25.
Treaties and Defense Issues - Week 7 (10/8, 10/10)
Pat Towell. “Congress and Defense,” in Auerswald and Campbell.
David Auerswald. “Arms Control,” in Auerswald and Campbell.
Crabb and Holt. chapter 3.
*Access online through Course Reserves:
Cecil Crabb and Pat Holt. 1984. Invitation to Struggle. 2nd ed. pp. 75-98. ***Note this is 2nd ed.,
not 4th ed. (This chapter is about the Panama Canal Treaties.)
*Access online through CATQuest:
Pat Towell. 1989. “Senate Spurns Bush’s Choice in Partisan Tug of War.” CQ. March 11.
RECOMMENDED:
*Access online through Course Reserves:
Barry Rundquist and Thomas Carsey. 2002. Congress and Defense Spending. chapters 1 and 10.
Colton Campbell, Nicol Rae, and John Stack. 2003. Congress and the Politics of Foreign
Policy. excepts.
Arms Sales - Week 8 (10/15)
Crabb and Holt. chapter 4.
*Access online through Course Reserves:
Franck and Weisband. 1979. Foreign Policy by Congress. chapter 5.
Barry Blechman. 1990. The Politics of National Security. pp. 112-136.
*Access online:
Federation of American Scientists. 2012. Explore website for information on arms sales.
http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/asmp/factsandfigures_index.html Guest - Howard Dean, MD, former Governor of Vermont (10/17)
Background - Congress and the Intelligence Community, and Congressional Oversight of Covert Operations - Week 9 (10/22, 10/24)
Loch Johnson. “Congress and Intelligence,” in Auerswald and Campbell.
Crabb and Holt. chapter 6.
*Access online through Course Reserves:
James McCormick and Steven Smith. 1987. “The Iran Arms Sale and the Intelligence Oversight
Act of 1980.” PS.
*Access online through CATQuest:
Anne Hoy. 1995. “Reagan and the Rebels.” CQ. October 14.
Guest - Howard Dean, MD, former Governor of Vermont (10/29)
The Iran-Contra Affair - Week 10 (10/29, 10/31) *****Papers still due on Tuesday
Cohen and Mitchell. all (I will offer reading tips in class).
*Access online through CATQuest:
William Schneider. 1994. “Public Uneager to Pardon the Pardons.” NJ. January 9.
Carroll Doherty. 1994. “Walsh Exonerates, Excoriates Ex-Presidents in Report.” CQ. January 22.
RECOMMENDED:
*Access online through Course Reserves:
U.S. Congress. 1987. Iran-Contra Report of the Congressional Committees
Investigating the Iran-Contra Affair. excerpts.
The Aftermath of September 11th and Terrorism - Week 11 (11/5, 11/7)
Mark Oleszek and Walter Oleszek. “Institutional Challenges Confronting Congress after 9/11:
Partisan Polarization and Effective Oversight,” in Auerswald and Campbell.
Timothy Balunis and William Hemphill. “Congress and Homeland Security,” in Auerswald and
Campbell.
Louis Fisher. “National Security Surveillance,” in Auerswald and Campbell.
*Access through Blackboard:
Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein. 2006. The Broken Branch. excerpts.
*Access through CATQuest:
Karen Foerstel and Gebe Martinez. 2001. “Fog of War Comes to the Hill.” CQ. October 20.
Elizabeth Palmer. 2001. “Terrorism Bill’s Sparse Paper Trail May Cause Legal Vulnerabilities.”
CQ. October 27.
Michael Hirsh. 2011. “Secret Love: Obama's Budding Romance with the CIA.” NJ. May 14.
RECOMMENDED:
Bernard Horowitz and Harvey Rishikof. “Enemy Combatant Detainees,” in Auerswald and
Campbell.
*Access through CATQuest:
David Nather. 2002. “Lingering Costs of Anthrax Attack Evident as Hart Building Reopens.”
CQ. January 26.
Foreign Economic Policy, Foreign Aid, and Human Rights - Week 12 (11/12, 11/14)
Susan Epstein. “Foreign Aid Oversight Challenges for Congress,” in Auerswald and Campbell.
Crabb and Holt. chapters 7 and 8.
Sharyn O’Halloran. 1993. “Congress and Foreign Trade Policy,” in Ripley and Lindsay.
*Access online through Course Reserves:
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Foreign Affairs. 1987. “The 99th Congress and
South Africa Sanctions.” Congress and Foreign Policy -1985-86.
David Forsythe. 1988. Human Rights and U.S. Foreign Policy. chapters 1 and 8.
*Access online through Library website:
David Cloud. 1993. “Decisive Vote Brings Down Trade Walls with Mexico.” CQ. November 20.
Joseph Schatz. 2002. “Bush Wins Key Victory Before Recess: Fast-Track Trade
Negotiating Authority.” CQ. August 3.
RECOMMENDED:
*Access online through CATQuest:
Elizabeth Palmer. 1993. “Clinton Signs Bill to Repeal Anti-Apartheid Sanctions.” CQ. November 27.
Jonathan Broder. 2011. “Arab Spring Adds Strain to Tense Relationship.” CQ. July 18.
Summary Assessment: Members’ Decision Making, Congressional Influence, the Question of Effectiveness, and the Constitutional Blueprint - Week 13 (11/19, 11/21)
Crabb and Holt. chapter 9.
James Lindsay and Randall Ripley. 1993. “How Congress Influences Foreign and Defense
Policy,” in Ripley and Lindsay.
James Lindsay. 1993. “Congress and Diplomacy,” in Ripley and Lindsay.
*Access online through Course Reserves:
J. William Fulbright. 1979. “Legislator as Educator.” Foreign Affairs.
Louis Henkin. 1987/88. “Foreign Affairs and the Constitution.” Foreign Affairs.
Thanksgiving break - Week 14 (11/26, 11/28)
Review for exam - Week 15 (12/3)
No reading!
Final exam - Tuesday, December 10, 4:30-6:30