U.S. Foreign Policy: Introduction

1. (5 Minutes) Think-Pair-Share: Have students turn to neighbors and discuss examples of U.S. Foreign Policy issues that they have seen in the news.
2. (25 Minutes) Complete: Parts 1+2 of the guided reading handout.
   • Watch: What is Foreign Policy? (2:26)
   • Read: What Roles Do Congress + the Executive Branch Play in U.S. Foreign Policy?
3. (10 Minutes) Worksheet: Students will complete the attached U.S. Foreign Policy: Congress and the Executive Branch -Worksheet with a partner
4. (5 Minutes) Wrap Up/ Introduce Homework
   • Ask: What is Foreign Policy? How are foreign and domestic policy related? What are the benefits/drawbacks of the division of power between the executive branch  and the legislative branch? 
   • Intro HW: Students will look at how foreign policy is made by looking at the National Security Council as well as what influences policymaking. They will do mini-simulation during the next class where they will consider the options that the U.S. NSC had in response to 9/11.

1. Students read and complete Part 3+4 of the guided reading handout:
   • Part 3: What is the National Security Council?
   • Part 4: How Do Forces Outside Government Influence Policymaking?

1. (5 Minutes) Debrief/ Discuss HW: What is the NSC? Why was it created? What forces influence policymaking? What is the relationship between domestic and foreign policy?
2. (15 Minutes) Complete: Part 5+6 of the guided reading handout.
   • Part 5 - What is the Relationship Between Domestic and Foreign Policy?
   • Part 6 - How Do Treaties Get Made? (4:52 video)
3. (15 Minutes) Take A Stand: CFR Education Mini-Simulation: U.S. Response to 9/11
   • Read: “Overview”, “The Situation”, and “Policy Options” as a class.
   • Take a Stand: Assign three corners of room for the policy options. Students will move to the corner they agree with.
     • Option #1: Do not take military action
     • Option # 2: Implement targeted military action against al-Qaeda leadership responsible for 9/11
     • Option #3: Launch a war against al-Qaeda and those who support the group in and outside Afghanistan.
   • Give students a couple minutes to discuss why they picked that option in their corner groups (Each corner supports a different policy). Share and discuss as a class. 
   • Consider using some of these questions: Why might the U.S. not want to take military action? What are some of the problems that may be associated with taking direct military action against al-Qaeda? Why might launching a war against al-Qaeda and those who support it be problematic?
4. (10 Minutes) Debrief: What did the simulation show students about foreign policy? Why is foreign policy so important to what goes on INSIDE a country? Why might making foreign policy decisions be so difficult?

Choose one of the policy options from the mini-simulation and support your choice with at least three arguments.