GI5076 - Foreign Policy Analysis (2024/25)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2024/25 | ||||||||||||
| Module title | Foreign Policy Analysis | ||||||||||||
| Module level | Intermediate (05) | ||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||||
| School | School of Social Sciences and Professions | ||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2024/25(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) | No instances running in the year |
Module summary
One of the central questions for the sub-discipline of International Relations is to explain the behaviour of states in the international system. The module approaches this question from the perspective of foreign policy analysis, focusing on the decisions, structures and processes primarily but not exclusively within states that potentially produce international action or inaction. It examines models of, and approaches to, foreign policy decision making and analyses national and supra-national foreign policy.
You will examine the nature of foreign policy and the concept of the national interest; analyse potential levels at which foreign policy decisions may be made and explore models and theories of decision-making using real world examples. You will also examine a series of case studies of a wide variety of states and supra-national organisations from different political systems.
By the end of the module you should have a range of competencies that would equip you to engage in analysis of any foreign policy decision, be that historic or contemporary.
Prior learning requirements
None. Available for Study Abroad.
Syllabus
What is foreign policy? (LO 1,5)
The ‘level of analysis problem’ and state-centric approaches (LO 1,2,5)
Rational action in foreign policy (LO 3,5)
The role of bureaucracies and organisations in foreign policy making (LO 2,3,5)
Pluralism and the breakdown of national and international barriers (LO 2,5)
Economics, public opinion and other domestic variables (LO 1,2,5)
Psychological approaches to foreign policy decision-making (LO 2,5)
Foreign policy case studies such as the United States, Russia, China, the UK, the EU and developing states.(LO 2,3,4,5)
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Most weeks teaching will consist of a two-hour combined lecture and workshop and a one-hour seminar. Each lecture/workshop will comprise an interactive lecture followed by an activity undertaken by small groups, with the result of these activities fed back in a plenary session towards the end of the two-hour session. The seminar will involve small group discussions, debates and group work.
The module makes extensive use of blended learning, with full use of the dedicated WebLearn site for the module.
Reflective and independent learning will be encouraged through the regular interactive lectures and seminar discussions.
Students will be required to attend all classes, to engage in the set activities, to prepare in advance by attempting assigned readings, to complete coursework ahead of deadlines, to access markers’ comments on their work and act on the feedback they receive.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of foreign policy and related concepts such as the national interest.
2. Investigate what domestic and international level variables influence foreign policy decisions.
3. Apply foreign policy theories and models to decision-making.
4. Analyse the foreign policies of contemporary states and supra-national organisations from a variety of political systems.
5. Present and defend their views and findings clearly and coherently in different, workshop, seminar discussion and essay contexts.
Assessment strategy
The module is assessed through two instruments. 75% of the assessment is allocated to an essay of 2000 words that students select from a set of topics made available at the start of the module. 25% of the assessment is allocated to the student’s performance in weekly seminars throughout the module.