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 students with the theoretical tools to interpret and explain foreign policy within and across different states. To what extent is foreign policy shaped by size, geography, resources, and political system? How does the international balance-of-power affect the foreign policy of individual states? How significant is political leadership? What characterizes foreign policy decision-making in a crisis? The course introduces different decision-making models and theoretical perspectives for describing the foreign policy process and implementation at different levels-of-analysis: individual, state, and system. A central question is how foreign policy change occurs and can be understood. While the primary focus is on the state as the principal actor in foreign policy, the course also considers the growing role of non-state actors in international relations and foreign policy.

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

Knowledge and understanding

• Describe the basic theories about foreign policy at different levels-of-analysis (individual, state, system).
• Describe the foreign policy process and implementation from different decision-making models.
• Explain foreign policy change based on current academic research.
• Critically assess the role of the state in foreign policy and the rise of new non-state actors.
• Describe research designs and methods used in the course literature on foreign policy analysis.

Competence and skills

• Apply theories of foreign policy to empirical cases.
• Critically discuss and compare the explanatory power of different theories of foreign policy.
• Independently produce text in accordance with good academic practice, including proper citation technique and use of references.
• Summarize and present self-produced academic texts in a well-formulated and clear manner.
• Plan and work collectively in a group.
• Communicate clearly and proficiently in English both orally and in writing.

Judgement and approach

• Critically reflect on different foreign policy theories that are presented in the course literature and in lectures.
• Critically assess the research design and methods that is used on the course literature.

The teaching consists of lectures and seminars.

*Language of instruction:* English

Lectures, seminars and literature are in English.

The course is assessed through active participation during seminars, presentation at the seminar and course papers.

Students can be asked to re-work graded assignments and re-submit them. If the student does not re-submit the reworked assignment on time, the student will be failed on the assignment.

A student who is not able to attend a compulsory part of the course can do an alternative assignment. The assignment will be described 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).

For a passing grade (G), the student’s work must demonstrate an ability to connect theoretical analysis to empirical cases, independent analytical ability, and basic

academic requirements in terms of structure and language. For a pass with distinction (VG), the student’s work must demonstrate a very good ability to link theoretical analysis to empirical cases, an outstanding independent analytical ability, and high quality in terms of structure and language.

For a pass (G) on the entire course, a minimum of G is required on all sections, as well as attendance at all mandatory seminars.

To get a pass with distinction (VG) on the entire course, it is required that the student fulfils the requirements for pass (G), and that the student receives a VG on more than half of the course’s credits.

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.