Vincent Ferraro

Curriculum Vitae

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Courses

Courses

Politics 112

Speaking and Arguing: The Rhetoric of Peace and War

This course has two principal objectives. The first is to examine the rhetoric of war and peace. Throughout history orators have rallied people to war or have advised them against resorting to arms. These moments are ones of great drama for humanity, and speeches have been powerful shapers of public opinion. We will analyze the techniques used by various speakers to promote values and policies on matters of war.

The second objective is to examine techniques of public speaking. Students will have three opportunities to prepare and present speeches. These speeches will be critiqued by the instructor and the members of the class. In addition, the speeches will be videotaped and each student will have the opportunity for self-critique. The objective here is not to produce orators, but rather to develop basic speaking skills.

Politics 116

World Politics

This course will introduce some of the basic concepts in the study of world politics. It is a survey course and assumes no prior knowledge or experience in the study of International Relations. The first half of the course will focus on the traditional perspectives in world politics; the second half of the course will emphasize new challenges to the study of world politics. The course will be run as a lecture, although questions, comments, and discussion are always welcome.

Politics 240

International Political Economy

This course introduces some of the fundamental relationships between politics and economics, on both the domestic and international levels. Its purpose is not to assert either the primacy of economics or politics, but rather to show how these two aspects of human behavior are mutually dependent and how, over time, economics and politics generally support each other in a coherent social system. Moreover, the course will show how, on the international level, political decisions intervene on all economic decisions and economic constraints shape political possibilities.

International Relations 270s and History 270s

American Foreign Policy

This course places a very heavy emphasis on the role of values in the making of American foreign policy. It is not a course which discusses in great detail the processes by which decisions are made, nor does it analyze deeply the institutions which are involved in decision-making. These topics are undeniably important and, in fact, are covered in some other courses offered within the Five College system.

However, 1989 marked a watershed year in human history and it is fair to say that the emerging diplomatic environment is not at all clear to many observers and analysts. In particular, the United States is finding it very difficult to articulate policies, let alone carry them out, in a world order which is inchoate and extraordinarily complex.

Thus, the emphasis on values is a way to determine the very broad outlines of which might be U.S. preferences in the emerging world order and to assess the likely fit of those preferences to an international political system which is characterized by profound differences and hostilities. As a country with great power, the United States often determines, sometimes inadvertently, the outcome of some of those hostilities. Indeed, as a country with great power the United States often precipitates those hostilities. A close examination of those core values will allow us to predict better the policy choices and options of the United States in the future.