Module: Irish Foreign Policy

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Irish Foreign Policy
Module Code	POL1033 (ITS: LG248)
Faculty	Law & Government	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

Irish Foreign Policy: Values, Identity and Neutrality Part I: Foundations of Irish Foreign Policy 1. The Origins and Development of Neutrality in International Politics 2. Discourses on Independent Neutral Ireland - 17th and 18th Centuries 3. Discourses on Independent Neutral Ireland - 19th and 20th Centuries Part II: The Political Struggle over the Concept of Irish Foreign Policy and Neutrality 4. Practices of Irish Neutrality in World War II - a comparative critique 5. Deconstructing Concepts of Irish Neutrality - the politics of definition 6. Public and Government Concepts of Irish Neutrality - incompatible foreign policy agendas Part III: Public Opinion on Irish Neutrality 7. Values and Identities Structuring Public Attitudes to Irish Neutrality - Patriotism and Independence 8. Public Support for Irish Neutrality - gender and generation gaps 9. Public Activism on Irish Neutrality - the role of individuals, associations and NGOs Part IV: European Union Common Security and Defence Policy and Neutrality in Europe 10. Neutrality and the European Common Security and Defence Policy: Compatible or Competing? 11. Changing Practices of Irish Foreign Policy and Neutrality in Europe: Political Parties and State Policies 12. Political Discourses on the European Defence Union, PESCO and Irish Neutrality: Policy or Propaganda?

Learning Outcomes

1. Knowledge of the history of the development of Irish Foreign Policy and Neutrality
2. Understanding of the actors, processes, and infrastructure of Irish Foreign Policy
3. Ability to independently research current and historical empirical aspects of Irish Foreign Policy discourse and practices
4. Critical appreciation of policy changes in the context of internal and external influences (political, economic, social)

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	22	Weekly Lectures
Independent Study	103	Including pre-class reading, assignment preparation & completion other tasks as directed by the module coordinator
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20919	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Karen Devine	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	n/a	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Weekly Topics
Part I: Foundations of Irish Foreign Policy

1. The Origins and Development of Neutrality in International Politics

2. Discourses on Independent Neutral Ireland - 17th and 18th Centuries

3. Discourses on Independent Neutral Ireland - 19th and 20th Centuries

Part II: The Political Struggle over the Concept of Irish Foreign Policy and Neutrality

4. Practices of Irish Neutrality in World War II - a comparative critique

5. Deconstructing Concepts of Irish Neutrality - the politics of definition

6. Public and Government Concepts of Irish Neutrality - incompatible foreign policy agendas

Part III: Public Opinion on Irish Neutrality

7. Values and Identities Structuring Public Attitudes to Irish Neutrality - Patriotism and Independence

8. Public Support for Irish Neutrality - gender and generation gaps

9. Public Activism on Irish Neutrality - the role of individuals, associations and NGOs

Part IV: European Union Common Security and Defence Policy and Neutrality in Europe

10. Neutrality and the European Common Security and Defence Policy: Compatible or Competing?

11. Changing Practices of Irish Foreign Policy and Neutrality in Europe: Political Parties and State Policies

12. Political Discourses on the European Defence Union, PESCO and Irish Neutrality: Policy or Propaganda?

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None