Contemporary United States Foreign Policy Simulation: assignment #1 Role paper Due dates (paper and presentation): November 3rd: President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Treasury November 5th: Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (National Security (Advisor), Director of National Intelligence, Joint Chiefs of Staff – chair November 10th: Chief of Staff to the President, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations As we’ve learned, the foreign policy positions of government officials are affected by an individual’s ideology or world view. But, they are also affected by where that individual “sits.” So, your first task is to understand your assigned role better in each of these dimensions. Who currently fills the position you are assigned? What do we know about that person’s foreign policy preferences and ideas? What do we know about that person’s position in the government, and the effect (real or potential) of that position on the person’s policy preferences? Write a brief paper outlining your assigned role in both dimensions – personal/biographical and position in the government. The paper should not be more than three pages, but should include as much relevant information as possible. The following questions will guide your work: 1. What is the background of the person whose role I am assuming for the simulation? What type of education, work, and personal experiences may shape the person’s world view? What types of foreign policy positions has this person taken in the past? 2. What is your assigned role in the government? What is your role in the National Security Council? What role do you typically play in foreign policy making? Does the person you represent have a particularly close personal relationship with the president that may enhance his or her influence over foreign policy decisions? You can use a variety of sources to write the paper. We will discuss ideas for these in class. Be sure to follow the rules of attribution, and to include a references section with your paper. You should upload your paper to the class MyCourses site before class on the day you are to present yourself to the class (due dates above). There is an assignment link in the simulation topic area for doing so. NOTE: When you present yourself and your position to the class you should play your role (dress the part, use visual aids, etc.). You are responsible for informing the class about who you are and the role you play in foreign policy making. Each student will have no more than five minutes for his or her presentation.

Contemporary United States Foreign Policy
Simulation: assignment #1
Role paper

Due dates (paper and presentation):
November 3rd: President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the
Treasury
November 5th: Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (National Security
(Advisor), Director of National Intelligence, Joint Chiefs of Staff – chair
November 10th: Chief of Staff to the President, Secretary of the Department of
Homeland Security, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations

As we’ve learned, the foreign policy positions of government officials are affected by an individual’s ideology or world view. But, they are also affected by where that individual “sits.” So, your first task is to understand your assigned role better in each of these dimensions. Who currently fills the position you are assigned? What do we know about that person’s foreign policy preferences and ideas? What do we know about that person’s position in the government, and the effect (real or potential) of that position on the person’s policy preferences?

Write a brief paper outlining your assigned role in both dimensions – personal/biographical and position in the government. The paper should not be more than three pages, but should include as much relevant information as possible. The following questions will guide your work:

1. What is the background of the person whose role I am assuming for the simulation? What type of education, work, and personal experiences may shape the person’s world view? What types of foreign policy positions has this person taken in the past?

2. What is your assigned role in the government? What is your role in the National Security Council? What role do you typically play in foreign policy making? Does the person you represent have a particularly close personal relationship with the president that may enhance his or her influence over foreign policy decisions?