Foreign Policy Analysis
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course aims at providing an advanced knowledge of Foreign Policy Analysis, introducing the methodologies and mainstream analytical frameworks through which foreign policy decision-making can be understood. The fundamental objective is to let the student familiarize with key aspects of foreign policy. The course contributes to the broader objectives of the Master's Degree programme, namely to offer the student an advanced understanding of contemporary international politics, focusing especially on states' behavior in the international arena and engaging the students with critical assessments of foreign policy decisions.
Expected learning outcomes
By means of the analytical models presented, the student is expected to be able to interpret decisions in foreign policy - choosing among different level of analysis, classifying key political actors, identifying the main constraints upon decision-making, ascertain the role of organizations and institutions surrounding political leaders.
Lesson period: Second trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
On the delivery modes of teaching activities for academic year 2023/24: the lectures will be in person. Based on the evolution of the public health situation, possible indications about the teaching activities could be updated.
Course syllabus
The course is designed to introduce students to the basics of Foreign Policy Analysis. Firstly, it focuses on the nature and scope of the discipline: its relationship with International Relations and Comparative Politics. Secondly, it presents the three level of analysis through which the foreign policy decision-making can be understood: methodological individualism; state behavior; international system. Thirdly, it delves into the main discipline's sub-fields: foreign policy decision-making; bureaucratic politics; cultural, national identity and psychological/cognitive approaches. The theoretical frameworks will be presented through case studies (e.g. the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, Italian Foreign Policy).
Prerequisites for admission
The course is open to all students independently from their academic background. However, a basic knowledge of International Relations Theory is presumed.
Teaching methods
Lectures and presentations by attending students (on a voluntary basis).
Teaching Resources
For attending students:
Two books of student's choice among the following ones:
1) C. Stefanachi, "Una passione pericosola. Il prestigio nella politica estera italiana (1870-1941), Scholé-Ed. Morcelliana (2023) - Solo i Capitoli da 1 a 11 (pp. 5-314);
2) S. Walt, "The Hell of Good Intentions: America's Foreign Policy Elite and the Decline of U.S. Primacy", Farrar Straus & Giroux (2019);
3) A. Carteny - G. Natalizia, "Come difendere l'ordine liberale. La Grand Strategy americana e il mutamento internazionale", Vita&Pensiero (2021).
For non-attending students:
C. Alden - A. Aran, "Foreign Policy Analysis. New Approaches", Routledge, London & New York (2017) - FIRST 5 CHAPTERS ONLY;
E. Diodato (a cura di), "Relazioni internazionali. Dalle tradizioni alle sfide", Carocci, Roma (Nuova edizione 2021). Chapters 8, 9, and 10 only.
Two books of student's choice among the following ones:
1) C. Stefanachi, "Una passione pericosola. Il prestigio nella politica estera italiana (1870-1941), Scholé-Ed. Morcelliana (2023) - Solo i Capitoli da 1 a 11 (pp. 5-314);
2) S. Walt, "The Hell of Good Intentions: America's Foreign Policy Elite and the Decline of U.S. Primacy", Farrar Straus & Giroux (2019);
3) A. Carteny - G. Natalizia, "Come difendere l'ordine liberale. La Grand Strategy americana e il mutamento internazionale", Vita&Pensiero (2021).
Two books of student's choice among the following ones:
1) C. Stefanachi, "Una passione pericosola. Il prestigio nella politica estera italiana (1870-1941), Scholé-Ed. Morcelliana (2023) - Solo i Capitoli da 1 a 11 (pp. 5-314);
2) S. Walt, "The Hell of Good Intentions: America's Foreign Policy Elite and the Decline of U.S. Primacy", Farrar Straus & Giroux (2019);
3) A. Carteny - G. Natalizia, "Come difendere l'ordine liberale. La Grand Strategy americana e il mutamento internazionale", Vita&Pensiero (2021).
For non-attending students:
C. Alden - A. Aran, "Foreign Policy Analysis. New Approaches", Routledge, London & New York (2017) - FIRST 5 CHAPTERS ONLY;
E. Diodato (a cura di), "Relazioni internazionali. Dalle tradizioni alle sfide", Carocci, Roma (Nuova edizione 2021). Chapters 8, 9, and 10 only.
Two books of student's choice among the following ones:
1) C. Stefanachi, "Una passione pericosola. Il prestigio nella politica estera italiana (1870-1941), Scholé-Ed. Morcelliana (2023) - Solo i Capitoli da 1 a 11 (pp. 5-314);
2) S. Walt, "The Hell of Good Intentions: America's Foreign Policy Elite and the Decline of U.S. Primacy", Farrar Straus & Giroux (2019);
3) A. Carteny - G. Natalizia, "Come difendere l'ordine liberale. La Grand Strategy americana e il mutamento internazionale", Vita&Pensiero (2021).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is based on an interview.
For attending students the final evaluation is based on: The active participation during the classes and possible presentation of assigned papers (30%); the final oral examination at the end of the course (70%). The oral examination is aimed to test the students' ability to present and reflect upon the main analytical frameworks, models and theoretical perspectives of Foreign Policy Analysis. The examination is an interview based on 3-5 questions.
For non-attending students, the final evaluation is based on an oral examination to test the students' ability to present and reflect upon the main analytical frameworks, models and theoretical perspectives of Foreign Policy Analysis. The examination is an interview based on 3-5 questions.
For attending students the final evaluation is based on: The active participation during the classes and possible presentation of assigned papers (30%); the final oral examination at the end of the course (70%). The oral examination is aimed to test the students' ability to present and reflect upon the main analytical frameworks, models and theoretical perspectives of Foreign Policy Analysis. The examination is an interview based on 3-5 questions.
For non-attending students, the final evaluation is based on an oral examination to test the students' ability to present and reflect upon the main analytical frameworks, models and theoretical perspectives of Foreign Policy Analysis. The examination is an interview based on 3-5 questions.
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)