Professor Owen is awesome. Really smart, engaging, and presents material fairly and evenly (which is pretty impressive given the current political climate). The course basically presents the main foreign policy theories (this class is VERY theory-based) and applies historical examples. There is a LOT of reading, and if you want to do really well you should probably do all of it.
The only real issue I have with the course is that the final exam expected a little too much that was possible for students. It basically asked us to apply theories to major foreign policy questions (many of which had just occurred in 2017... so it is hard to judge even for seasoned scholars), look at advantages, drawbacks, etc. It was frustrating to me because this was essentially the same question as the 12 page research paper we had just turned in and that took *weeks* of research, writing, planning, and meeting with TAs. I think the questions were a little unfair and graded a bit harshly.
Other than that, great class... highly recommend if you're at all interested in foreign policy.

Professor Owen is a great lecturer, and discussions are fairly easy to partake in. The tests are not hard if you've attended class and understand the readings.

Professor Owen is a fantastic professor. He is super approachable and very neutral when he presents his theories. The lectures are dry at first, but the material gets more interesting later on. If you want a relatively easy politics class, I would certainly recommend this one.

If you're looking for an easy A politics class, this is it. If you're looking for a worthwhile/fulfilling class, this is not it. Owen is a really knowledgeable guy but I think a lot of times this translates to him dumbing down a lot of the material which make the lectures really difficult to get through. The readings are interesting, but not necessary to getting an A. We spent most of the time on the Cold War, but spent November on actually interesting stuff like current US Foreign Policy.

Enjoyed this course a lot! The beginning of the course started off a little dry as it seemed all theory-based and a bit abstract but the course really picked up. He first explains a theory very well then uses 1 or 2 cases studies to explain it. Owens picks case studies that we all either know about or want to know about because they're so important in history (ie Vietnam War, Cuban Missile Crisis, Cold War (LOTS of time spent on CW)) He first explains a theory very well then uses 1 or 2 cases studies to explain it. The class also picked up on very relevant cases. I feel much more informed about very important events in the past and current events and speak to them with theories. Midterms are graded harder on purpose and the final is graded more leniently. Owens gives you a vocab sheet before each exam (exhaustive, exhaustive list) and about 6 are on the exam but in defining each term/person on the list, you study the context and thus study for the exams. Would definitely recommend and take it with TA Carl!

Professor Owen is the best professor I have ever had in the politics department here at UVA (and I am a foreign affairs major). His lectures are so interesting, and this class' topic matter is fascinating. Its not based on theory- but on cases- and using theory to explain why the outcomes resulted (for example, the outcome of the Cuban Missile Crisis). Strongly recommend this class! #tcf2016

Great course, though the reading was often dense and discussion very tedious.

Took this class because I wanted to study more about US foreign policy, but it was my first IR class so I was surprised when we spent the entire time doing theories. Lecturs are super dry and unnecessary if someone gives you the notes. Professor Owen is very knowledgeable but not a good lecturer. The grading is very difficult because the TAs look for super specific things on the midterm, final, and paper. They say you don't have to know outside knowledge for the class but it is almost impossible to do well without it. I would not recommend this class to anyone except an IR major.

Overall a good, fair class. Owen's lectures are at times a little dry, but he communicates theoretical ideas and their applications clearly. Lectures are fairly important as he does not use powerpoint slides very often aside from pictures. I came into the class with little knowledge about US foreign policy, but was able to keep up through the readings and Owen's clear lectures. The grading is based on essay format (ID's, short essays, long essay) midterm and final, a long research paper on a foreign policy topic of your choice, and discussion participation (including collab posts). The exams were fair and gave choices on each section. If you do the readings and pay attention in lecture you should do well.

this class was a great introduction to American foreign policy if you know little about the subject. It is imperative to do the readings as the tests are based largely on the theories you will learn. The tests are essay tests, not bad if you have done the reading, attended lecture (for the most part), and have come prepared. Michael Pozanansky was a great TA. Owen is a little bit boring during lectures, but overall I liked going! Would recommend!