Grand Strategy and Statecraft In this course we will assess the theory and practice of grand strategy and statecraft – the overarching vision states have for their role in the world and the means with which they pursue this vision. Student learning will be guided by the following questions: What is the purpose of a grand strategy? What factors influence the formulation of grand strategies? What are the consequences of different grand strategies? We will conduct a comparative study of grand strategies over time and across countries with an emphasis on the connections between the goals of the strategy and the tools of statecraft used in its pursuit.  Students will write a final paper that crafts a grand strategy for a leader confronting a real strategic challenge in a contemporary or historical case.

American Foreign Policy  Does America exercise its power in the world in a distinctive way? In this course we will examine the evolution of American foreign policy from the immediate post-World War II era to the present. As we make our way from the height of the Cold War to the 21st century, we will assess how leaders, institutions, domestic politics, and the actions and inactions of other countries have shaped American international behavior. Topics considered include terrorism, nuclear proliferation, globalization, democracy promotion, foreign aid policy, environmental policy, and technology governance. A central aim of the course is to map competing perspectives so that students can draw their own informed political conclusions.

International Politics What causes conflict or cooperation among states? What can states and other international entities do to preserve global peace? These are among the issues addressed by the study of international politics. This course examines the forces that shape relations among states, and between states and international regimes. Key concepts include: the international system, power and the balance of power, international institutions, foreign policy, diplomacy, deterrence, war, and global economic issues. Both the fall and spring sections of this course emphasize rigorous analysis and set theoretical concepts against historical and contemporary case studies.

Political Economy of Security How do governments pay for wars? What are the security implications of financial crises? Can economic coercion replace military coercion? In this course, we will critically examine a broad set of ideas, arguments, and research on topics at the nexus of international political economy and international security. We begin with foundational scholarship on the connections between the domestic economy and state power before turning to the economic means with which states wage war, including the arms trade and war financing. Next, we will examine how the economy is used in pursuit of security goals. We will discuss research on the weaponization of economic and financial ties between states, including financial sanctions. Finally, we will examine scholarship on the economic implications of states’ pursuit of their security interests. (PSCI 0304 or by waiver) 3hrs. sem.

Caileigh Glenn

Reviews and ratings for Caileigh Glenn at Middlebury College.Caileigh Glenn teaches Grand Strategy and Statecraft, American Foreign Policy, International Politics and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Caileigh Glenn good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

Class was relatively easy- and so were the papers. Exams material was what you expected, no real surprises, but the grading was tough. The papers were pretty short. If you keep up and do the reading, you’ll do perfectly fine.

You definitely have to stay locked in and keep up with the material, but overall it’s a pretty fun class. If you pay attention and put in the effort, you’ll be fine. Make sure you come to all the lectures as most of the discussions revolved around the lectures rather than the readings. 

Despite the discussion sections that the class had every Friday, the class overall just felt so incredibly lecture heavy that it was hard to stay focused. The readings themselves were fairly simple to understand and powerpoints were always posted on canvas so I could review them at a later date, though there was very little engagement during the class itself. 