58吃瓜

IR3083 Foreign Policy Analysis

Academic year

2026 to 2027 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

To be confirmed

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof J B Kaarbo

Prof J B Kaarbo
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Prof Juliet Kaarbo

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module covers the research, concepts, and current issues in the area of foreign policy analysis -- an identifiable, research active, and policy-relevant subfield within the study of international relations. Research in this area is designed to answer the question: Why do states (and other actors) do what they do in international politics? The module is organized in a "levels of analysis" framework鈥� from outside, 鈥榚xternal鈥� approaches associated with general international relations theories, to 鈥榠nside鈥� sources of culture public opinion, governmental structures, and leader decision-making. The module highlights how domestic-political and policy-making processes influence states鈥� foreign affairs. The emphasis in the course is on theories of and conceptual approaches to foreign policy, although students will also be exposed to the substance and content of the foreign policies of various countries. This module is delivered in a discussion-style seminar format.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS IR2005 AND PASS IR2006

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 seminar (X10/11 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

25

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

260

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • comprehensively understand the study of foreign policy
  • master theoretical foundations to explain foreign policy across states and in comparative perspective
  • appreciate methodological issues in the study of foreign policy
  • assess the relationship between foreign policy analysis and the study of international relations and politics
  • better critically evaluate research and investigate empirical phenomena