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POL344Social Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Foreign Policy Analysis

This course introduces students to foreign policy analysis within international relations. It explores the components of foreign policy for independent states, highlighting factors that shape national foreign policies. The course emphasizes the importance of foreign policy as a guide for national actions in international relations. Students will learn the rules and regulations that guide decision-makers in foreign policy, enhancing their understanding of state behavior in the global arena.

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26h
Study Time
13
Weeks
2h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
Foreign PolicyNational InterestDecision MakingGlobalizationInternational Relations

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Foreign Policy Definition

2

National Interest

3

Globalization

4

Decision-Making Models

5

Levels of Analysis

6

Geopolitics

Total Topics6 topics

Requirements

Knowledge and skills recommended for success

Basic knowledge of political science

Understanding of international relations concepts

💡 Don't have all requirements? Don't worry! Many students successfully complete this course with basic preparation and dedication.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Tutor-Marked Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Diplomat

Apply your skills in this growing field

Policy Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Intelligence Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

International Relations Specialist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Political Risk Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

GovernmentInternational OrganizationsConsultingThink TanksNon-Profit

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Understanding Foreign Policy

2h

Unit 1: The Nature of Foreign Policy

2 study hours
  • •Read the introduction to understand the scope of foreign policy.
  • •Define foreign policy and identify its components.
  • •Analyze the problems associated with defining foreign policy.
Week
2

Module 1: Understanding Foreign Policy

2h

Unit 2: Foreign Policy and National Interest

2 study hours
  • •Define national interest and analyze its role in foreign policy formation.
  • •Discuss the linkages between national interest and foreign policy.
  • •Differentiate between principles of national interest and foreign policy.
Week
3

Module 1: Understanding Foreign Policy

2h

Unit 3: National Interests versus Other Interests

2 study hours
  • •Differentiate between national interest and societal interest.
  • •Explain long-term, middle-term, and short-term goals.
  • •Analyze the relationship between national interest and global interest.
Week
4

Module 1: Understanding Foreign Policy

2h

Unit 4: Globalisation: A New Foreign Policy Approach

2 study hours
  • •Identify changes in traditional foreign policy approaches due to globalization.
  • •Assess the effect of globalization on foreign policy behavior of nation-states.
  • •Link the reasons for these changes appropriately.
Week
5

Module 2: Foreign Policy Analysis

4h

Unit 1: Approaches to Foreign Policy Analysis

2 study hours
  • •Explain the classical or traditional approach to foreign policy analysis.
  • •Analyze the scientific or behavioral approaches.
  • •Appraise the contributions of various approaches to understanding foreign policy.

Unit 2: Levels of Foreign Policy Analysis

2 study hours
  • •Identify the levels of foreign policy analysis.
  • •Analyze the reasons behind government actions.
  • •Highlight forces behind government decisions.
Week
6

Module 2: Foreign Policy Analysis

3h

Unit 3: Foreign Policy Environment

3 study hours
  • •Analyze foreign policy in the context of external and internal environments.
  • •Appraise the effect of environment on foreign policy decisions of nation-states.
  • •Explain the impact of both internal and external environments on foreign policy formulation.
Week
7

Module 2: Foreign Policy Analysis

3h

Unit 4: Problems of Foreign Policy Analysis

3 study hours
  • •Identify the problems confronting foreign policy analysis.
  • •Discuss the pitfalls in the study of foreign policy.
  • •Clarify how foreign policy was explained by major theories of International Relations.
Week
8

Module 3: Foreign Policy Decision Making

4h

Unit 1: The Unitary Actor and Rational Decision Making

2 study hours
  • •Assess the states being referred to as unitary actors.
  • •Discuss policy making in the light of rational choice.
  • •Highlight the impediments to rational choice by policy makers.

Unit 2: The Bureaucratic Politics of Foreign Policy Decision Making

2 study hours
  • •Analyze bureaucratic efficiency and rationality in foreign policy decision making.
  • •Highlight the limits of bureaucratic organization behavior in foreign policy making.
  • •Evaluate the consequences of bureaucratic behavior.
Week
9

Module 3: Foreign Policy Decision Making

3h

Unit 3: The Role of Leaders in Foreign Policy Decision Making

3 study hours
  • •State the role of leaders as foreign policy decision-makers.
  • •Describe leaders as makers and movers of world history.
  • •Assess factors affecting leader's capacity to lead.
Week
10

Module 3: Foreign Policy Decision Making

3h

Unit 4: Constraints on Foreign Policy Making

3 study hours
  • •State the constraints on foreign policy making.
  • •Examine the prospects out of the constraints.
  • •Evaluate the recommended tools to overcome the constraint.
Week
11

Module 4: Means or Capability Factors and Their Impacts on Policy Decisions

4h

Unit 1: Structural Characteristics

2 study hours
  • •Discuss the structural characteristics of the international system.
  • •Differentiate between vertical authority structure and horizontal authority structure.
  • •Explain the level and scope of interactions among international actors.

Unit 2: Types of Government

2 study hours
  • •Explain the impact of the political system of a country on its international behavior.
  • •Appraise foreign policy performance of some democracies.
  • •Discuss the importance of interest groups in foreign policy formulation.
Week
12

Module 4: Means or Capability Factors and Their Impacts on Policy Decisions

3h

Unit 3: Military Capabilities and Economic Development

3 study hours
  • •Explain the importance of a buoyant economy in states international behavior.
  • •Explain why Gross National Product is important in identifying great powers.
  • •Discuss might as a function of economic capabilities.
Week
13

Module 4: Means or Capability Factors and Their Impacts on Policy Decisions

3h

Unit 4: Geographic Influences (Geopolitics)

3 study hours
  • •Explain the influence of geography on foreign policy.
  • •Explain how national roles of a State characterize its foreign policy.
  • •Discuss four national roles.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review key definitions and concepts from Units 1-4 in Module 1

2

Create comparative tables of different decision-making models (Module 3)

3

Focus on case studies in Module 5 to understand real-world applications

4

Practice essay questions on the relationship between national interest and foreign policy

5

Develop concise summaries of each unit to aid recall of key information

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