National and International Determinants of Foreign Policy, 2024-2025 - Prospectus

This seminar is earmarked for NECD, IP, DR, NP

Description

This seminar examines theories about how states formulate and implement foreign policy. The focus is on the sources of foreign policy decisions, as well as on the decision-making process. The seminar will offer an overview of the core theoretical approaches within the foreign policy analysis scholarship (e.g., rational choice, bureaucratic, domestic politics, psychological models). The objective will be to assess the contributions and limitations of each approach. In this context, the seminar will look at specific foreign policy events to test the application of key theories. The seminar aims to sharpen the students’ skills in critical thinking, research, writing, and presentation.

Course objectives

Objective 1. In this course students will learn:

about the main theories that explain foreign policy decision-making;
how to apply these theories to understand how foreign policy decisions are made;
to appraise how various domestic and international factors shape foreign policy decisions; • to assess how various variables influence the implementation of foreign decisions.
Objective 2. Students will acquire the following skills:
appraise the strengths and limitations of theoretical approaches to foreign policy making;
identify evidence that supports or eliminates a particular approach in the context of one specific event; • write a research paper and select the theories that best explain the case given the evidence;
Present research findings in a clear, concise and convincing manner and offer policy recommendations.

Mode of instruction

The course is organized in a series of seminars, with active and compulsory participation from students.

Assessment method

Participation 20%
Analytical Essays & Presentations 20%
Research Introduction 10%
Research theoretical framework 20%
Final Research Design 30%

Reading list

Assigned articles and book chapters.

Registration

See general information

Timetable

See 'MyTimetable'

Contact

Contact: n.r.j.b.blarel@fsw.leidenuniv.nl

Remarks

N/A

Transferable skills

Researching

Acquiring knowledge by systematically and methodically inquiring into a situation or concept, making use of methods appropriate to the academic field or discipline.

Analysing

Analysing situations or information and deciding what is of major and lesser importance. Seeing interrelationships and getting to the core of the matter.

Oral communication

Making ideas and information clear to others through spoken words, using comprehensible language and checking that the message has been understood.

Written communication

Setting out ideas and information clearly in writing, taking account of the relevant target group and in such a way that the message is received and understood.

Presenting

Conveying ideas and information clearly to an audience, taking account of the target group and using appropriate supporting materials and platforms.

Reflecting

Critically evaluating own and others’ behaviour, viewpoints or methods, and being open to evaluation by others. Being able to learn from these evaluations by changing own behaviour, viewpoints or methods.

Independent learning

Self-directing own process of absorbing and applying new knowledge and information.

Resilience

The ability to continue performing effectively in changing and challenging circumstances; to cope with setbacks and recover from them.

Available as

A la Carte

Contract

Elective choice

Evening course

Exchange / Study Abroad

Honours Class