Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Foreign Policy Analysis and Foreign Policy Decision-Making
Course Code
SZF_282
Branch of Science
International Politics; Political science
ECTS
6.00
Target Audience
Political Science
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Beāte Livdanska
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
SZF, Kuldigas Street 9C, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
The objective of the course "Foreign Policy Analysis and Foreign Policy Decision-Making" is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the processes of foreign policy formulation, implementation, and decision-making, combining a theoretical framework with an analytical approach. Within the course, students are systematically introduced to both the key questions and challenges of foreign policy research, and the factors influencing the foreign policy decision-making process and its role in international relations theory. Through the application of various analytical models and the study of specific events (case studies), the course fosters the development of students' critical and analytical thinking, strengthening their ability to critically evaluate policy decisions, their causes, and their consequences in the context of global processes.
Preliminary Knowledge
To fully master the course "Foreign Policy Analysis and Foreign Policy Decision-Making", students are advised to have previously acquired knowledge and background in the following areas:
1)Political Science Knowledge: foundational knowledge in political theories, state governance structures, and international political processes, including an understanding of the distribution of power, the functioning of political systems, and policy-making mechanisms in various types of states;
2)International Relations: an understanding of the international public order, forms of international cooperation, and the role of international organizations, as well as familiarity with the main theories of international relations: realism, liberalism, constructivism, and other theoretical approaches that form the analytical foundation of contemporary international politics;
3)History: knowledge of significant historical events and their impact on contemporary foreign policy, including the Cold War period, decolonization processes, as well as the historical development of regional and international relations;
4)Policy Analysis: the ability to critically analyze policy decisions using various analytical tools and methods, including comparative policy analysis approaches and the ability to assess the impact and consequences of policy decisions;
5)Understanding of Diplomacy: an understanding of cultural differences and their influence on international relations and diplomacy, including the role of cultural factors in negotiation processes, conflict resolution, and the building of international cooperation;
6)Research Skills: the ability to independently conduct research and critically analyze information on foreign policy issues, using a variety of primary and secondary sources, academic literature, as well as quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.As a result of completing the course, students will acquire in-depth knowledge of the theoretical foundations of foreign policy formulation and implementation, including the main schools of thought and approaches in foreign policy analysis. Students will have gained knowledge of foreign policy decision-making processes, the factors influencing them - both domestic and international - as well as various decision-making models and their application in practice. In addition, students will acquire knowledge of specific historical and contemporary foreign policy cases that illustrate theoretical principles in practice.
Skills
1.As a result of completing the course, students will develop the ability to critically and systematically analyze foreign policy processes and decisions using various analytical models and frameworks. Students will have acquired the skill to identify and evaluate the factors influencing foreign policy decisions, conduct independent research using primary and secondary sources, and present their conclusions in a structured and well-reasoned manner, both orally and in writing. Students will also develop the ability to apply the case study method when analyzing specific foreign policy events and decisions.
Competences
1.Upon completing the course, students will gain the competence to independently conduct foreign policy analysis, integrating theoretical knowledge with empirical research and critically evaluating the foreign policy behaviour of various states in an international context. Students will be competent in assessing and comparing different foreign policy strategies, understanding their causes and consequences, and forecasting possible foreign policy scenarios based on the theoretical and analytical instruments acquired during the course. This competence will provide students with a solid foundation for further academic research in the fields of international relations and political science, as well as for practical work in professional spheres related to foreign policy issues.
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Independent analytical work |
30.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Independent analytical work (report/case analys/policy memo) – 30% of students choose or receive a specific foreign policy case and analyse it using the approaches discussed in the course, such as national interest analysis, Allison models, perspective of rational choice, bureaucratic policy model or political psychology approach. Understanding the problem, use of theory, reasoning, validity of conclusions, use of sources and academic style are assessed. |
||
Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Exam |
20.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
At the end of the study course, students shall take a written examination regarding all topics acquired during the study course. Details of the content and progress of the exam will be available in E-studies. |
||
|
2.
Participation in seminars and quality of responses – 20% |
20.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Participation in seminars and quality of responses – 20% assess the preparedness of the student for seminars, involvement in discussions, ability to analyse foreign policy cases in a reasoned manner, use the concepts and theoretical approaches of the course, and link theory to specific examples. |
||
|
3.
Simulation play |
30.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Simulation and individual reflection/position document – 30% based on the decision-making game provided for in the course, the student participates in the simulation, represents a specific role and then submits a short individual reflection or position document on the decisions taken, the arguments used and the relevance of the approach chosen. Engagement, role understanding, quality of reasoning and ability to analyse the decision-making process are all assessed. |
||
Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Foreign Policy Analysis: introduction, challenges, and approaches. Introduction to study course.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
International system and national interests
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Involvement of countries in international organisations. Example of Latvia
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Foreign political courses of major and regional powers
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
The capabilities and challenges of small countries (ie). Diplomacy
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Personalities and perceptions in the formation and implementation of foreign political courses of Latvia
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Cultural, identity and domestic political factors of foreign policy-making: society, parties, interest groups
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Foreign policy-making domestic political factors: bureaucracy
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Personalities and perceptions in shaping and conducting the external political courses of European countries
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Implementation of the national external political course: “hybrid approaches”
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Individual classes/consultations (block 1)
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Foreign policy decision-making. Factors influencing the foreign policy decision. Allison models.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Rational decision-making
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Cuban missile crisis: perspective of the rational model
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Organisational and political decision-making model
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Analysis of the Cuban crisis under Model II and Model III
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Political psychology and decision-making: perceptions, cognitive prejudice and risk factor in foreign policy
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
“World War three: inside the War room”: evaluation
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Individual classes/consultations (block 2)
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Personality and diplomat factor in decision-making
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Personalities, perceptions and risk: US withdrawal from Afghanistan (2021)
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
The model of the dramatic actor. Decision-making in transition countries
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Decision-making in post-Communist countries
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (2022): analysis of foreign policy decision-making
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Israel-Gaza conflict (2023 -): response and decision-making by the international community
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Individual classes/consultations (block 2)
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Structure and preparedness of the Latvian foreign policy decision-making mechanism for crisis situations
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Structure and preparedness of the Latvian foreign policy decision-making mechanism for crisis situations
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Simulation: Decision-making game I
|
|
Simulation: Decision-making game II
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Simulation: Decision-making game I
|
|
Simulation: Decision-making game II
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Simulation: Decision-making game I
|
|
Simulation: Decision-making game II
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Simulation: Decision-making game I
|
|
Simulation: Decision-making game II
|
-
Test
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Exam
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
6.00
Contact hours:
64 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Allison, Graham, Zelikow, Philip. Essence of Decision: Explaining the Cuban Missile Crisis. New York, 1999. (akceptējams izdevums)
2.
Vertzberger, Yaacov. Risk Taking and Decisionmaking. Foreign Military Intervention Decisions. Stanford, 1998. (akceptējams izdevums)Suitable for English stream
3.
Stern, Eric K., Hansen, Dan. Crisis Management in a Transitional Society: The Latvian Experience. Stockholm, 2000. (akceptējams izdevums)
4.
Marten, Kimberly. "Putin's Choices: Explaining Russian Foreign Policy and Intervention in Ukraine." The Washington Quarterly, Summer, 2015. (akceptējams izdevums)
5.
RAND Corporation. Reinforcing Deterrence on NATO's Eastern Flank: Wargaming the Defense of the Baltics. 2016.
6.
Pastor, R. A. (ed.). A Century Journey. How the Great Powers Shape the World. New York, 1999. (akceptējams izdevums)
7.
Hudson, Valerie M., Day, Benjamin S. Foreign Policy Analysis: Classic and Contemporary Theory. 3rd ed. Rowman & Littlefield, 2019.Suitable for English stream
8.
Mintz, Alex, DeRouen, Karl. Understanding Foreign Policy Decision Making. Cambridge University Press, 2010. (akceptējams izdevums)
9.
Brummer, Klaus, Oppermann, Kai. Foreign Policy Analysis. Oxford University Press, 2021.
10.
Kaarbo, Juliet, Thies, Cameron G. (eds.). The Oxford Handbook of Foreign Policy Analysis. Oxford Academic, 2024.Suitable for English stream
11.
Jervis, Robert. Perception and Misperception in International Politics. Princeton University Press, 2017
12.
Janis, Irving L. Groupthink: Psychological Studies of Policy Decisions and Fiascoes. Houghton Mifflin, 1982. (akceptējams izdevums)
13.
Bleiere, Daina u.c. 2014. History of Latvia: The 20th Century. 2nd ed. Jumava