MODULE SPECIFICATION
Code: UPPNFD-30-1 Title: Foreign Policy Version: 3
Level: 1 UWE credit rating: 30 ECTS credit rating: 15
Module type: Standard
Owning Faculty: Social Sciences and Humanities Field: Politics, Philosophy and IR
Faculty Committee approval: Date:
Valid from: September 2009
Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: None
Excluded combinations: None
Learning outcomes:
After successful completion of this module, the students will have developed and demonstrated:
1. An understanding of the domestic factors that influence the foreign policies of states (Components A and B)
2. An understanding of the external factors that influence the foreign policies of states (Components A and B)
3. A detailed understanding of the foreign policy of a specific state (Components B[2] and B[3])
4. The ability to begin to debate these and other issues within seminars
5. The ability to identify relevant material from a variety of sources, both academic and otherwise (Components B[2] and B[3])
6. The ability to analyse such material (Components B[2] and B[3])
7. The ability to construct clear and persuasive arguments using such data and analysis (Components A and B)
8. The ability to effectively communicate such arguments (Components A and B)
Syllabus outline:
This module provides students with an introduction to ‘traditional’ International Relations. It engages in a comparative examination of the contemporary foreign policies of a selection of states. The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the variety of ways in which different states view and engage in international politics. This module will not select a ‘traditional’ range of states such as great powers or European states. Instead, states will be selected in order to illustrate to students the variation in state behaviour that exists within the contemporary international system.
The module begins with an introduction to foreign policy analysis. This introduction examines theories of foreign policy analysis that seek to explain the influence of domestic and external factors on the formation of foreign policy. The remainder of the module proceeds to examine the foreign policies of a range of states including, for example, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, China, Iran and Germany. The inclusion of states will be adapted in order to best demonstrate the variety of approaches to foreign policy that are adopted by different states, while drawing upon the expertise of members of staff. The foreign policy of each state will be analysed in terms of the specific domestic and external factors that shape that policy. Contemporary issues relating to each state’s foreign policy will be used to illustrate the variation and similarity that characterise foreign policy practices in international politics.
Teaching and learning methods:
Weekly lectures and seminars are used to introduce students to arguments and information regarding the foreign policies of states and the opportunity to discuss substantive issues related to this material. Written feedback on all assessment is intended to aid students in developing knowledge of the relevant subject matter and general research, analysis and communication skills.
Reading Strategy
Essential reading material will be provided in the form of reading packs and electronically accessible resources.
Some further reading material - in the form of academic books and edited collections - will be available to students through the library. In addition, students will be guided to resources available through the library’s electronic databases. Finally, students will be encouraged to utilise a variety of electronic, audio/visual and print media in order to gain an appreciation of contemporary developments in the foreign policies of particular states. Information regarding each of these categories of resources will be made available within module handbooks and at embedded IT and library research training sessions.
This reading strategy is designed to emphasise contemporary issues in foreign policy and to encourage students to engage in regular examination of varied sources of information and analysis.
Indicative Reading List: (see guidance notes)
Ansari, A. 2006. Confronting Iran. Hurst.
David, C. & Grondin, D. 2006. Hegemony or Empire? Ashgate.
Guo, S (ed). 2006. China’s ‘Peaceful Rise’ in the 21st Century. Ashgate.
Hill, C. 2002. The Changing Politics of Foreign Policy. Palgrave.
Kegley, C.W. & E.R. Wittkopf. 2003. American Foreign Policy, 6th ed. Palgrave.
Little, R. & M.Smith. 1991. Perspectives on World Politics. Routledge.
Manners, I. & R. Whitman (eds.). 2001. The Foreign Policies of European Union Member States. Manchester University Press.
Neack, L. 2003. The new foreign policy: U.S. and comparative foreign policy in the 21st century. Rowman & Littlefield.
Steve Smith, Amelia Hadfield and Tim Dunne (eds). 2008. Foreign Policy: Theories, Actors, Cases. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Assessment
Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 40% B: 60%
ATTEMPT 1
First Assessment Opportunity
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
1. Exam (2 hours) 40%
Component B
Description of each element Element weighting
1. Bibliographical Exercise (500 words) 15%
2. Research exercise (1000 words) 15%
3. Essay (2000 words) 30%
Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is/is not required)
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
1. Exam (2 hours) 40%
Component B
Description of each element Element weighting
1. Essay (3500 words) 60%
SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT: Attendance at taught classes is not required.
Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)