IR234 INTRO. TO FOREIGN POLICY ANALYSIS
| Course Code: | 3140234 |
| METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week): | 3 (3.00 - 0.00) |
| ECTS Credit: | 6.0 |
| Department: | International Relations |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
| Level of Study: | Undergraduate |
| Course Coordinator: | Prof.Dr. ÖZGEHAN ŞENYUVA |
| Offered Semester: | Spring Semesters. |
Course Objectives
How do states formulate and execute foreign policy? While it is common for non-specialists to speculate about the behavior of states inter se, students of International Relations know that arriving at any foreign policy decision results from the interaction of multiple actors, and their interests, operating within complex institutional settings. IR 234 offers a broad introduction to the foreign policy subfield of IR, shedding light on a wide selection of topics, theories, and decision-making models.
Course Objectives
Over the course of the semester, students will grow an understanding of the major theoretical approaches to international politics and be able to identify the major actors involved in foreign policymaking. To these ends, students will be introduced to major texts of the field as we explore and discuss numerous models of decision-making, while assessing their efficacy. Once we cover the major approaches to foreign policymaking, we will take a step back to combine foreign policymaking with the traditional subject material of foreign policy analysis by reexamining the international and domestic levels of analysis. This time, our focus will be on the distorted lines between the dictates of the international system, domestic contexts, and the interference of transnational forces.
Course Content
This course is intended to provide an introductory examination of the subject of foreign policy analysis. In this general context, the nature, scope and definition of foreign policy; the impact of main theories and methods of international relations on foreign policy studies; and various approaches and methods to the study of foreign policy will be covered in the lectures.
Course Learning Outcomes
By the conclusion of this course, students will be equipped with the theoretical and conceptual knowledge to craft well-informed analyses of foreign policy in preparing students for future careers in international relations and journalism, among others.
Program Outcomes Matrix
| Level of Contribution | |||||
| # | Program Outcomes | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1 | To establish a firm basis of academic knowledge in the discipline of International Relations. | ✔ | |||
| 2 | To draw connections among different social sciences disciplines. | ✔ | |||
| 3 | To analyze social and international phenomenon in a holistic manner. | ✔ | |||
| 4 | To communicate in oral and written ways. | ✔ | |||
| 5 | To create original ideas through academic inquiry and research. | ✔ | |||
| 6 | To have social sensitivity and moral responsibilities. | ✔ | |||
0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution