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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

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Module Title
Module Code (ITS)
Faculty School
Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Kenneth McDonagh
Semester 2: Kenneth McDonagh
Autumn: Kenneth McDonagh
Module TeachersKenneth McDonagh
Jivanta Schottli
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
None
Exam can only be repeated in the formal repeat sessions. Essay may be repeated during Summer months.
Description

This module will introduce students to the study of foreign policy. The first part of the course reviews different approaches to the study of foreign policy. Students will have the opportunity to apply the concepts and theories learnt in specific case studies. The second part focuses on the foreign policy of Ireland in some key areas of interest. It also provides an overview of the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the main theoretical approaches to the study of foreign policy.
2. Apply a theoretical model to a case study of a foreign policy decision or event.
3. Understand the key concerns of Irish foreign policy.
4. Understand how EU foreign policy works and what it does.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture24No Description
Independent Study46Reading for lectures
Assignment Completion30Essay research and write up
Directed learning25Revision
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction:
foreign policy and foreign policy analysis

Realism and foreign policy
Case study: the Ottawa convention

Foreign policy decision-making 1: Organisational process and bureaucratic politics
Case study: the Cuban Missile Crisis

Foreign policy decision-making 2: Cognitive, psychological and learning approaches
Case study: the War in Iraq

Domestic sources of foreign policy: structures and actors
Case study: the Tien’anmen bloodshed

Culture, identity and foreign policy
Case study: the ‘Cuban Problem’ revisited

Irish foreign policy 1
Defining priorities and resolving tensions

Irish foreign policy 2:
Debating neutrality

Irish Foreign Policy 3:
Ireland and the European Union

The Foreign Policy of the European Union
CFSP

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment% Examination Weight%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Essayn/a100%
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category
Indicative Reading List

  • Steve Smith, Amelia Hadfield and Tim Dunne (editors): 2008, Foreign Policy: Theories Actors Cases., Oxford University Press,
  • Hill, C.: 2003, The Changing Politics of Foreign Policy, Palgrave, London,
  • Hook, S.W: 2002, Comparative Foreign Policy., Prentice Hall.,
  • Hudson, V.: 2007, Foreign Policy Analysis: Classic and Contemporary Theory, Rowan and Littlefield, Plymouth,
  • Webber, M. & Smith, M: 2002, Foreign Policy in a Transformed World, Prentice Hall, London,,
  • Tonra, B. & Eilís, Ward (eds.): 2002, Ireland in International Affairs: Interests, Institutions and Identities, Dublin, Institute for Public Administration,
  • Crotty, W. & Schmitt, D.: 2002, Ireland on the World Stage, Pearson and Longman,
  • Keukeleire, S. & MacNaughtan, J.: 0, The Foreign Policy of the European Union, Palgrave, London,,
Other Resources

17529, Essential Journal, 0, Irish Studies in International Affairs is essential reading for the study of Irish Foreign Policy. It is available in the Library and electronically via Library website, 17530, other readings, 0, Poosted on Moodle,

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