Foreign Policy Analysis

The course is an in-depth course in Political Science and given as an elective course in the Bacherlor's Programme in Political Science and as a single subject course. The course is also given as a single subject course for exchange students.

A successful completion of a minimum of 60 credits Social sciences, or equivalent. Applicants must prove their knowledge of English: English 6 or English level 2 from Swedish Upper Secondary School or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS.

The course provides an introduction to key concepts, theories, and research findings in foreign policy analysis. The course examines how foreign policy is formulated, changed, and implemented, with a focus on the interaction between domestic political and international conditions. It introduces central theoretical perspectives and explanatory models at three levels of analysis: the individual, the state, and the international system. Comparisons between the foreign policies of different countries are used to illustrate variation in foreign policy decision-making.

A central point of departure is that foreign policy is influenced by institutions, decision-making processes, political leadership, and crisis management, both in Sweden and in other states. In this way, the course provides students with tools for analysing foreign policy processes in different national and international contexts. The course takes the state as the central actor in foreign policy, but also addresses the importance of the European Union and other non-state actors for foreign policy processes.

A student who has passed the course will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• describe key concepts, theories, and explanatory models in foreign policy analysis, with particular focus on the levels of analysis of the individual, the state, and the international system;
• explain how foreign policy decisions are made and implemented, and how foreign policy processes are shaped by institutional, domestic political, and international factors.

Competence and skills

• apply central theories and explanatory models in foreign policy analysis to empirical cases;
• compare and analyse decision-making in the foreign policies of different countries regarding institutional, domestic political, and international conditions;
• independently produce written work in accordance with good academic standards, including correct citation techniques and reference management;
• communicate orally and in writing in comprehensible English.

Judgement and approach

• reflect on how various factors, such as political systems, institutions, leadership, crises, and international conditions, influence foreign policy decision-making and its implementation;
• evaluate arguments, sources, and empirical evidence used in analyses of foreign policy in Sweden and other countries.

The teaching consists of lectures and seminars.

Language of instruction: English

The course is assessed through a written examination corresponding to 3.5 credits and seminars corresponding to a total of 4 credits. The seminars are compulsory and require active participation. Exact instructions and assessment criteria are provided in the course guide. A student who is unable to attend a compulsory component will be given the opportunity to complete an alternative assignment. The exact format of the assignment is specified in the course guide.

Restrictions on the use of generative AI are stated in the course guide. Students are obliged to inform themselves about the current rules for examining elements such as assignments, seminar papers and other forms of exams in the course in question.

If a student who has twice received a failing grade for the same examination component wishes to change examiner ahead of the next examination session, such a request should be made to the department in writing and should be approved by the department unless there are special reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 of the Higher Education Ordinance).

If a student has received a recommendation from the University of Gothenburg for study support for students with disabilities, the examiner may, where it is compatible with the learning outcomes of the course and provided that no unreasonable resources are required, decide to allow the student to sit an adjusted exam or alternative form of assessment.

In the event that a course has ceased or undergone major changes, students are to be guaranteed at least three examination sessions (including the ordinary examination session) over a period of at least one year, but no more than two years after the course has ceased/been changed.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).

To obtain the grade Pass for the course, all components must be passed. To obtain the grade Pass with Distinction, the grade Pass with Distinction is also required on the written examination.

The students will be given the opportunity to do a course evaluation. The results of evaluation will be communicated both to previous and incoming students.