IR202      One Unit
Foreign Policy Analysis 1

This information is for the 2025/26 session.

Course Convenor

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The course analyses various theoretical approaches to foreign policy, and the means of conduct of the main actors in the international system towards each other. It focuses mainly, but not entirely, on states. Foreign Policy Analysis as a sub-discipline of IR; the problem of formulating goals and choosing policy instruments; the role of leadership and psychological elements in policy making; the rational actor model; bureaucratic politics; the impact of history and identity on foreign policy; domestic sources of foreign policy including public opinion, pressure groups and constitutions; the motivations underpinning foreign policy; the role and influence of transnational actors in relation to foreign policy making; foreign policy crises. The discussion classes combine a discussion of these themes with their application to the foreign policies of major powers in the international system.

In the WT the course turns to an analysis of the foreign policies of a selected group of major states, with due regard to their respective national interests, external commitments, traditional values and other relevant factors. There will be lectures on Britain, China, the United States and the Soviet Union/Russia. Additional guest lecturer country case studies will be included for the remainder of the course. The guest lectures offer additional empirical material to help with answering theoretical questions.

1 hours of classes in the Spring Term.
10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the Winter Term.
10 hours of lectures and 9 hours of classes in the Autumn Term.

This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn and Winter Term.

Students are required to write two essays of about 1,500 words each for their class teachers during the course and to make presentations in the discussion classes. The formative essays will help students develop a deep understanding of key readings on topics likely to appear in the summative e-Exam.

S Smith, A Hadfield and T Dunne (Eds), Foreign Policies: Theories, Actors and Cases, 3rd Edition, Oxford University Press, 2016.

C Alden and A Aran, Foreign Policy Analysis – New Approaches, 2nd Edition, Routledge, 2017;

Exam (100%), duration: 180 Minutes in the Spring exam period

The exam will be an on campus 'e-Exam'.