PO3FPA: Foreign Policy Analysis

Module Provider:

Politics and Int Rel

Number of credits:

20 [10 ECTS credits]

Level:

H (Honours)

Terms in which taught:

Autumn, Spring and Summer

Module Convenor:

Pre-requisites:

Co-requisites:

Modules excluded:

Module version for:

2007/8

Aims:

Assessable learning outcomes:
This module aims to provide students with

Additional outcomes:
The modules also aims to strengthen students' written and oral communication skills, to enhance their ability to work in groups, and to develop their capacity to use electronic databases together with traditional bibliographic resources.

Outline content:
The content is organised thematically. The first term begins by exploring basic definitions and concepts of foreign policy analysis: what foreign policy is, why we study foreign policy, and who the key actors are. The course then examines the major models of foreign policy decision-making, in particular the rational actor paradigm and the bureaucratic politics approach. The rest of the term is devoted to study of the ideational dimension of foreign policy, including the role of beliefs, perceptions and images; the relevance of culture, values and national identity; and the use of historical analogy in foreign policy making. The second term begins with an examination of external influences on foreign policy, notably the role played by the international structure of power and the importance of geographical factors. This is followed by a consideration of domestic influences: the role of public opinion and interest groups, the relevance of the political complexion of a state (liberal vs. illiberal regimes), the impact of the media and the question of gender. Attention is also given to the foreign policy of regional organisations. The term concludes with group work on two case studies of foreign policy decision-making.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The course is organised on the basis of 8 one and a half hour seminars each term for which students are required to read in preparation. Students will make one seminar presentation per term which will serve as the basis for a structured group discussion. Two hours revision.

Contact hours:

Assessment:
Coursework
Students will write one essay on a selected topic of approximately 3000 words each term, which must be submitted by the last day of each term. Where all the required essays are submitted the best/better mark will count for 25% of the final mark. Non-submitted essays will be awarded a mark of zero and the coursework mark will be an average of all the essay marks awarded.
Relative percentage of coursework : 25%
Examinations:
One three-hour examination.
Requirements for a pass:
40% overall and a mark of not less than 35% in the examination.
Reassessment arrangements:
Re-examination in September. Coursework will be carried forward if it bears a confirmed mark of 40% or more. Otherwise it must be resubmitted by 1 August.