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PL50866: Foreign policy analysis

[Page last updated: 02 August 2022]

Academic Year: 2022/23
Owning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: ES 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Essay (ES 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: Students who have successfully completed this unit will:
* have acquired an advanced knowledge of foreign policy making and implementation;
* understand contemporary problems of foreign policy-making and implementation;
* have acquired a good understanding of the theoretical models for the study of nation states' foreign policies;
* have advanced knowledge of foreign policy-making and implementation in selected states;
* be able to critically analyse foreign policy across different policy areas. (rule, security, etc).

Aims: The unit aims to provide:
* an effective insight into the study of foreign policy through a detailed study of policy-making processes and comparative analysis;
* theoretical and empirical understanding and analysis of contemporary foreign policy-making;
* a consideration of the major issues in contemporary and comparative foreign policy;
* an advanced knowledge of a major sub-field of international relations.

Skills: The key skills the unit will hone and further develop are:
* Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, precision in the use of written and spoken language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument, and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are taught and assessed in this unit. Skills in effective learning are developed in this unit.

Content: The content of the unit will revolve around the following themes:
* International relation theories and foreign policy analysis;
* Foreign policy and behavioural International Relations;
* Macropolitics and Foreign Policy Behaviour;
* Micropolitics and Foreign Policy Behaviour;
* Comparative Foreign Policy Analysis;
* Learning in Foreign Policy Analysis.

Programme availability:

PL50866 is a Designated Essential Unit on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies

PL50866 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2022/23 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2023/24 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2022/23.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.