Chapter 22: Foreign Policy and Defense "The Department of State"

Introduction

In this chapter students learned about United States foreign policy, how the executive and legislative branches share foreign policy powers, the roles of the Departments of State and Defense, and the tools of foreign policy. They also learned that the Department of State was the first executive department created and that the secretary of state ranks in importance just below the president and vice president. In this activity students will take a closer look at this influential department.

Lesson Description

Students will visit the U.S. State Department Web site to learn more about the duties and responsibilities of the secretary of state and the mission and structure of the department. They will then create a résumé for an imaginary person applying for the position of secretary of state.

Instructional Objectives

1. Students will be able to summarize the duties of the secretary of state.
2. Students will be able to define the primary mission of the State Department.

Student Web Activity Answers

1. Students' answers may vary, but could include that the secretary of state serves as the president's chief foreign affairs adviser, conducts negotiations relating to U.S. foreign affairs, advises the president on the appointment of U.S. ambassadors and other diplomats, supervises the administration of U.S. immigration laws abroad, supervises the U.S. Foreign Service, and many others.
2. The State Department is the primary institution for conducting United States diplomacy, seeking to defend U.S. interests, respond to crises, and achieve the international goals of the United States.
3. The Department is headed by the secretary of state, who is aided by a deputy secretary and five undersecretaries who serve as the Department's corporate board on foreign policy in the areas of political affairs; economic, business, and agricultural affairs; arms control and international security; global affairs; and management.
4. The colors on the seal are taken from the United States flag—white symbolizes purity and innocence, red hardiness and valor, and blue perseverance and justice. The shield is supported only by an eagle to symbolize that the United States should rely on its own virtues. The number 13, used in the bundle of arrows, the stripes on the shield, and the stars in the constellation, symbolizes the original 13 colonies. The olive branch and arrows symbolize the powers of war and peace. The motto E Pluribus Unum symbolizes the unity of the 13 states.
5. Students' résumés will vary but should conform to standard formats.