Foreign Policy Analysis Module: Course Overview and Goals

Learning outcomes and knowledge

The aim of this module is to analyse foreign policy practices and perspectives as crucial sites of agency within the context of global and regional geopolitical settings. This course will draw on the advanced classical and critical theories of International relations and geopolitics applied to the study of the foreign policy traditions, strategies and practices of the key actors and cases. The overall aim of this module is to create a multidisciplinary, multicultural and egalitarian learning environment that reflects the teaching practice and research profile of the module leader and receptive to the diverse needs of students. The module is designed to encourage and qualify an international group of postgraduate students who may wish to further their specialized study of Foreign Policy Analysis and or employment in fields related to governance, business, politics, and diplomacy.

On completion of this module the successful student will be able to:

1.Critically evaluate competing and developing approaches to the analysis of foreign policy and apply critical and advanced theories to reflect on and produce their own authentic understanding of contemporary foreign policy debates;

2.Demonstrate conceptually, analytically and critically informed understanding of the perspectives and debates surrounding Foreign Policy Analysis in international relations;

3.Demonstrate an inclusive and deep critical appreciation of diverse political cultures, geopolitical traditions and structural shifts that inform foreign policy practices of the key actors and regions within and beyond the Eurocentric paradigms.

This module will call for the successful student to:

4.Demonstrate an advanced knowledge and application of innovative research methods, including visual analysis of geopolitical material, discourse and textual analysis, original diplomatic documents and use of contemporary media sources;

5.Produce critical, original and independent research informed by advanced scholarship in international relations and geopolitics;

6.Demonstrate an ability to deal with complex issues and actors based on own research and analysis demonstrated through visual literacy, written and oral communication skills.

·The teaching, learning, assessment and research activities undertaken in this module have been considered and are not likely to require ethical approval.

·However, please seek advice if undertaking the module entails carrying out any research activities involving human participants, human data, animals/animal products, precious artefacts, materials or data systems. If you submit work that includes data gathered from or about people, this may be treated as academic misconduct and could lead to fail grade being awarded.

·Research ethics approval seeks to ensure all research is designed and undertaken according to certain principles of ethical research. These include:

1. Primary concern must be given to the safety, welfare and dignity of participants, researchers, colleagues, the environment and the wider community

2. Consideration of risks should be undertaken before research commences with the aim of minimising risks to those involved – i.e. human participants or animal subjects, colleagues, the environment and the wider community, as well as actual or potential risks to those directly or indirectly affected by the research.

3. Informed consent should be freely given by participants, and by a trained person when collecting or analysing human tissue (details on accessing and completing online training for gaining informed consent for HTA purposes can be found below in Section 8).

4. Respect for the privacy, confidentiality and anonymity of participants

5. Consideration of the rights of people who may be vulnerable (by virtue of perceived or actual differences in their social status, ethnic origin, gender, mental capacities, or other such characteristics) who may be less competent or able to refuse to give consent to participate

Please Check Before You Submit Your Essay:

Have you provided the rationale for the selection of your foreign policy case?

Have you conceptualized and made use of the relevant theories in the field of foreign policy analysis?

Have you provided the context of your analysis?

Have you supported your arguments and assertions by reliable evidence?

Is there a coherent line of argument or thesis throughout your essay rather than a random collection of quotations, ideas, paragraphs or unsubstantiated assertions?

Have you offered critical analysis rather than describing it in narrative, chronological or journalistic manner? (Remember this is an exercise in foreign policy analysis not journalism or history)

Have you exercised your own critical and analytical voice rather than heavily relying  on secondary opinions?

Have you provided your bibliography?

Have you relied on authoritative and scholarly works and opinions in the scholarly literature instead of random internet-based material?

Have you used academic conventions and referencing throughout? (See the link on how to reference and avoid plagiarism http://www.citethemrightonline.com)

Have you checked spelling and grammar?

Have you offered your own conclusions in the light of your research, observation and findings?