This course examines the basic principles, constitutional provisions, judicial decisions, statutes and informal political accommodations that have determined how the United States conducts its foreign relations. It covers the different roles of the legislative branch, the executive and the courts and the limitations imposed by our federal system relating to war powers, the making of treaties and other international agreements, the development and conduct of foreign policy and customary international law. The class considers several current issues involving the use of force, the interpretation of treaties, etc. The focus of the course, however, is on providing students with a deep understanding of the fundamental issues that are inherent in the structure of our government and affect the way it relates to other states. These issues have been repeatedly raised during the course of our history. Most of them have never been finally resolved. Students should not expect to learn how to resolve them, but how to think about them and to be familiar with the different contexts in which they arise.