Seminar in Foreign Policy Analysis

Program Type:

Thesis

Course Code:

POLS 614

Semester:

Spring

Course Type:

Core

P:

3

Lab:

0

Credits:

3

ECTS:

25

Course Language:

English

Course Coordinator:

Cengiz Okman (Emeritus)

Courses given by:

Cengiz Okman (Emeritus)

Selin Türkeş Kılıç

Course Objectives:

In order to provide interested student group with the basic concepts inherent to international political process, and improve their perceptual as well as analytical capability on the basic dynamics of foreign policy, the course aims at (1) explaining the historical evolution of foreign policy in reference to different periods and the dominant schools of approach particular to each period, (2) analyzing realist, liberal and constructivist approaches to foreign policy, (3) explaining the meanings of- -and the roles played by actors and structures in foreign policy analysis, leading to understanding on the essential elements of decision making within the related frameworks of rational, psychological, and neurological models, (4) studying implementation and behavior in foreign policy in addition to the role of media and public opinion, national security perceptions and economic considerations, and,(5) as a final stage, analyses and elaborations on selectively chosen case studies.

Course Content:

The Course- -with analytical purposes- -is divided into three groups of arguments:

The first group relates to introductory explanations on the meaning-essence of the foreign policy analysis with due emphasis on the main schools of thought affiliated with their research orientations. In this respect the history and evolution of foreign policy analysis along with the influences particular to realist, liberal and constructivist tendencies in foreign policy are emphasized.

The second group is to be organized on the basis of the explanations regarding the actors, context and goals of foreign policy in a general framework. It is in such a contextual framework that the “foreign policy decision making”- -and the related models- -are studied, followed by the arguments regarding the meaning and the role of the respective issues of decision- implementation and behavior, and the role of the public opinion.

The third group of arguments relate to specific case studies selectively chosen on different subject bases of the foreign policy process (e.g., political/security, domestic affairs, regional case, energy, new international actors).

Teaching Methods:

1: Lecture, 2: Discussion based lecture, 3: Case study, 4:Small group work, 5: Seminar, 6: Group work, 7: Research paper, 8: Oral presentation/exam, 9: Survey, 10: Panel, 11: Guest speaker, 12: Activities within a Student Body or Research Project.

Assessment Methods:

A: Exam, B: Homework, C: Presentation, D: Discussion

Vertical Tabs

Course Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes	Program Learning Outcomes	Teaching Methods	Assessment Methods
Students will be able to explain the historical evolution of foreign policy in reference to different periods and the dominant schools of approach particular to each period.		1,2,3,12	A, C
Students will be able to analyze realist, liberal and constructivist approaches to foreign policy.		1,2,3,12	A, C
Students will explain the meanings of- -and the roles played by actors and structures in foreign policy analysis, leading to understanding on the essential elements of decision making within the related frameworks of rational, psychological, and neurological models.		1,2,3,12	A, C
Students will effectively study the implementation and behavior in foreign policy in addition to the role of media and public opinion , national security perceptions and economic considerations		1,2,3,12	A, B
Students will analyze and elaborate on selectively chosen case studies.		1,2,3,12	A, B

Course Flow

COURSE CONTENT

Week

Topics

Study Materials

1

History and evolution, pragmatic works and the contemporary Agenda

Smith, Hatfield, Dunne, Foreign Policy,pp.1-30

2

Approaches by main schools of thought: Realism

Foreign Policy, pp. 31-48

3

Liberal and constructivist explanations on foreign policy

Foreign Policy, pp. 49-82

4

On the actors, context, and goals of foreign policy: actors/structures and foreign policy analysis

Foreign Policy, pp. 82-100

5

On “decision making” in reference to rational, psychological and neurological models.

On implementation and behavior , actors in environment and the role of the media “

Foreign Policy, pp.101-136

6

On the impact of the “national security” concept, the role of the media and public opinion, economic process.

Foreign Policy, pp.137-188

7

Mid-term

8

On the duties beyond borders

Foreign Policy, pp. 189-204

9

The Cuban Missile Crisis (Case-I)

Foreign Policy,

pp. 207-377

10

Canada and antipersonnel land mines (Case 2)

11

Domestic sources of American Foreign Policy (Case 3)

12

Israel-Egypt (Case 4), Britain and storm over Iraq (Case 5)

13

UE-Russia energy dynamics (Case 6)

14

New actors and foreign policy (Case 7)

15

India/WTO (Case 8)

Recommended Sources

RECOMMENDED SOURCES
Textbook	Steve Smith, Amelia Hatfield, Tim Dunne, Foreign Policy:Theories, Actors, Cases (New York: Oxford University Press, 2009).
Additional Resources	Valerie M. Hudson, Foreign Policy Analysis: Classical and Contemporary Theory (New York: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2007)

Material Sharing

MATERIAL SHARING
Documents	-
Assignments	-
Exams	-

Assessment

ASSESSMENT
IN-TERM STUDIES	NUMBER	PERCENTAGE
Mid-terms	2	50
Total		50
CONTRIBUTION OF FINAL EXAMINATION TO OVERALL GRADE		50
CONTRIBUTION OF IN-TERM STUDIES TO OVERALL GRADE		50
Total		100

Course’s Contribution to Program

COURSE'S CONTRIBUTION TO PROGRAM
No	Program Learning Outcomes	Contribution
No	Program Learning Outcomes	1	2	3	4	5
1	The ability to analyze and critically evaluate basic research models, approaches and intellectual traditions in the field of political science, international relations, comparative politics, Turkish politics and foreign policy. To demonstrate the ability to create innovative and original contribution to the field by specializing and expanding on these models and approaches.					X
2	To demonstrate the ability to make original contributions to the field with an interdisciplinary approach.			X
3	A command of basic research models and approaches of political science and international relations discipline and the ability to apply them in academic research and project design.					X
4	Having the ability to compare, contrast and analyze societal and political systems with an interdisciplinary approach.				X
5	Having a command of qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods and abiding by the highest levels of academic and research ethics.				X
6	The ability to contribute to the progress of the field of political science and international relations by conducting original and independent studies that produce original thought, methods, models, and applications to the field and/or utilize existing ideas, methods, models, and applications in another field of study.			X
7	The ability to contribute to the progress of the field of political science and international relations by publishing at least one academic article at a refereed journal and/or by producing or interpreting an original contribution.			X
8	To develop current and advanced level of data into original thought and research as a specialist. The ability to develop original ideas and methods in the field of political science and international relations.			X
9	The ability to debate and make presentations within an intellectual framework, and the ability to express oneself in a professional and academic manner. The ability to apply academic writing and presentation methods to dissertations, articles, and project design.			X
10	Having advanced reading, writing, comprehension and speaking skills in the English language.				X
11	Having the ability to apply knowledge of political science and international relations discipline to information technologies and traditional tools so as to produce sound solutions to problems.			X
12	Having the competency to work in the public sector, NGOs, research institutions and the academia.		X
13	Having empathy towards diverse and differing communities, which will facilitate conducing teamwork at local as well as global platforms.		X
14	Having competency of comprehending and interpreting local and global issues through information exchange with international academics and students.		X

ECTS

ECTS ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD BY THE COURSE DESCRIPTION
Activities	Quantity	Duration (Hour)	Total Workload (Hour)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours)	16	3	48
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice)	16	10	160
Mid-terms	2	15	30
Final examination	1	15	15
Total Work Load			253
Total Work Load / 25 (h)			10,12
ECTS Credit of the Course			10

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