JUN 19 1967

18 June 1967

Professor Neustadt should have sent over to your office my
paper, "Formulation of American Foreign Policy in Crisis
Situations," which I wrote for his seminar, Gov 254. When
I talked to you in March, you expressed an interest in seeing
this paper when it was finished. My original intention to
focus on "bureaucratic-pragmatic style" has been somewhat
diverted to an attempt to suggest elements in a typology of
crises. The broader theme of style still remains, however,
the concern underlying my whole current approach to a thesis
topic.

I would appreciate it if you would read this paper and then
give me your comments, especially with regard to the following
points:

Is there something grossly wrong with this approach --
such as dangerous oversimplification, naivete, unsupportable
assertions, or poorly phrased categories?

Even if so, is there any merit in trying to continue this
effort and expand it into some kind of thesis?

What omissions, inclusions, or revisions would put me
on the track of a worthwhile thesis?

If you should wish to make your comments by letter before I
return to Cambridge in mid-September, I would certainly be
grateful. But that is not essential since I am fully occupied
working here for the Navy Department and do not expect to have
much time for thesis-related work.

Thank you again for your advice.

Prof. Henry Kissinger
6 Divinity Avenue
Cambridge, Mass. 02138

## A SMALL RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

James Madison College provides a four-year liberal arts program leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree in the social sciences. A primary objective of this experimental college is to combine the advantages of a small residential college with the substantial facilities of a major university. Harmonious integration between curricular and extracurricular activities is encouraged by housing classrooms, cultural programs, student social and dormitory rooms, and faculty offices in a single residential-academic setting on the Michigan State University campus.

The small college atmosphere lends itself to an emphasis on teaching and to close relations between students and faculty. Seminars, lectures, team teaching, tutorials, field work, and independent study provide varied modes of instruction. Supplementing formal coursework, the College provides an extensive co-curricular program of guest speakers, films and panel discussions. Emphasis is placed on periodic counseling to aid students in planning individual programs. Student views and proposals are regularly sought concerning the governing and development of the College. Student and faculty members of James Madison College constitute a community of mutually assisting scholars at various stages of individual development.

At the same time, James Madison students are full members of the Michigan State University student body. They share the benefits of all common programs and facilities — a library of over one million volumes, the Student Union, intramural and intercollegiate athletics, lecture-concert programs, all-University student government and numerous extra-curricular clubs — and they take approximately half of their courses in other units of the University.

## A POLICY PROBLEMS APPROACH TO SOCIAL SCIENCE

The curriculum of James Madison College is designed to infuse social science analysis with the natural excitement of students beginning to grapple with the complex problems of the contemporary world. Major social, economic and political policy problems provide the focus for multidisciplinary studies. This approach draws upon many fields of knowledge in the social sciences and in related disciplines. Students elect one of several policy problem areas in which to concentrate their studies. At present five policy problems areas are offered:

1. Ethnic and Religious Intergroup Relations

2. International Relations

3. Justice, Morality and Constitutional Democracy

4. Socio-Economic Regulation and Welfare

5. Urban Community

The faculty has been brought together from a number of related disciplines: anthropology, economics, geography, history, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, statistics and methodology. Supplementing the faculty are visiting practitioners from public and private organizations associated with the policy-making process.

## A BALANCED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

James Madison College helps students to develop competency in writing, foreign language, and research methods, and provides opportunities for practical experiences in their policy problem field of concentration. In addition, students receive a basic general education in humanities and natural science, as well as in social science. In their first year they take a three-term sequence, "Introduction to the Study of Policy Problems," which serves to introduce the policy science curriculum and to fulfill the Michigan State University general education requirement in social science.

Writing Practicum. Competency in writing is strongly emphasized for all students. Assistance in developing this competency is provided by a communication skills program, by writing coaches, and by term paper and other writing assignments. All James Madison students are required to write at least one substantial (20-30 page) documented paper per year. It can be written in conjunction with any acceptable course — Madison College or other — or as approved independent study.

Foreign Language. The minimal foreign language requirement is (a) second-year university-level proficiency in one language, or (b) first-year proficiency in a language plus at least nine credits in courses (e.g., history, geography, political science) dealing with a related foreign area. More advanced study is needed for such programs as international relations.

Methodology. Some knowledge of quantitative research methods is a prerequisite to understanding modern social science data. All James Madison students take at least one course in methodology — either the introductory methods course provided by the College or statistics and methodology courses available in other units of the University.

Field Experience Program. During their junior year, students participate in an off-campus field experience program for which they earn one full term of academic credits. The purpose of the program is to give every student an opportunity to observe the policy-making process at work in a public or private organization related to his academic studies. Opportunities may be available in metropolitan, state and Federal governments, at the United Nations, or in the offices of a trade union, chamber of commerce, agricultural organization, political party or other voluntary association. The field work can be used as a trial internship in an agency relevant to a prospective career, such as the Peace Corps, or for practice teaching.

## OPPORTUNITIES FOR MADISON COLLEGE GRADUATES

Students who successfully complete their course of study in James Madison College are awarded a Michigan State University Bachelor of Arts degree in social science. Although the curriculum is designed for liberal rather than specifically vocational education, the policy approach offers preparation for many careers in such fields as journalism, business, law, secondary school and junior college teaching, voluntary association administration, and public service. To facilitate preparation for particular careers or post-graduate study, Madison students may undertake coordinate majors in one of several social science and related fields, e.g., anthropology, economics, geography, history, journalism, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, social work, and TV and radio.

## CURRICULAR ADAPTABILITY

Since many undergraduates develop their academic interests slowly, the Madison Col-