DSPO 27A67 - Foreign Policy Analysis

The course aims at introducing Foreign Policy Analysis, a sub-field of the International Relations discipline. During the semester, we will understand its origins and position within IR, as well as discuss in length its main theoretical perspectives and frameworks. Lastly, we will look into contemporary debates and the future of the sub-field more in general.

Through case studies, we will try to better grasp such discussions and to understand the strength of this approach to analyse foreign policy. Ultimately, we aim at answering the following questions: how are decisions taken? What is the role of politicians, governments, and bureaucrats in the decision-making process? What is the interplay between the domestic and the international levels? How is foreign policy change possible?

The learning objectives can be summarised as follows:

Knowing what FPA is – and its position within IR.

Understanding the theoretical lenses through which FPA analyses foreign policy.

Learning to use the basic concepts and theories to assess contemporary case studies in international politics.

The assessment grade is divided into three main components:

Group Presentation 30%

Each student will be assigned to a team and with their fellow colleagues, they will prepare a group presentation on one of the case studies as proposed in the syllabus. After having chosen a research question, the group will present facts and figures to provide an answer to it, through a linear and reasoned argument.

At the end of the presentation, the student will state three open-ended questions to start the class debate (15-20 mins, depending on the size of the group).

Two-hour written exam 50%

At the end of the semester, students will have a two-hour written exam. The exam will be based upon the content of the lecture (elements of the class debates can be used as examples) and be organised as follows: 6 multiple choice questions (only one possible answer, -1 for each wrong answer, 0 for no answer), one short essay question (out of two options) to be answered in less than 600 words (+/- 10% tolerance).

Participation 20%

Active participation is highly recommended, especially in the discussions following the group presentation.