The Politics of Foreign Policy (L2090)
The Politics of Foreign Policy
Module L2090
Module details for 2024/25.
15 credits
FHEQ Level 5
Module Outline
Who acts in international relations, and why? Why are foreign policy decisions often so secretive, and does the public have any say in them? And if not the public, what influences the formulation of foreign policies? How did state privatisation change foreign policy making? And what is the role of the current resurgence of nationalism in foreign policy?
All too often, in international relations the focus seems to be on states, or other collective actors, with their interactions determined by the logic of broad systemic forces. However, this obscures that political actors are individuals who have choices. Foreign policy making is a political process with domestic implications, and concepts such as 'the national interest' are by no means as clear and uncontested as foreign policy elites would like to make out.
The module draws on classical and critical literature in foreign policy analysis to explore the broad tension between agency and structure (domestic and international) in international politics. It asks how decision-making in international politics may be less than rational; how lobby groups and (perhaps) public opinion may influence foreign policy; the role of the media – and the internet – in the foreign policy process, and how foreign policy matters for the ‘return of the nation-state’ in global politics. The module will conclude with a look at the contemporary foreign policies of selected states.
Core skills you will learn include writing and arguing, but also independent empirical research beyond the library.
Module learning outcomes
Demonstrate a theoretical appreciation of the meaning of foreign policy in contemporary global politics.
Demonstrate an empirical appreciation of the key contemporary issues in foreign policy.
Demonstrate critical thinking and reasoning skills in writing about the analysis of foreign policy.
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 20.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Presentation | T2 Week 7 (7 minutes) | 100.00% |
| Essay (2000 words) | Semester 2 Assessment Week 2 Tue 16:00 | 80.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Semester | Seminar | 1 hour | 11111111111 |
| Spring Semester | Lecture | 1 hour | 11111111111 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Dr Melanie Richter-Montpetit
Assess convenor
/profiles/349663
Dr Stefanie Ortmann
Convenor
/profiles/127239
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