COMPARATIVE FOREIGN POLICIES

Students will learn theories of foreign policy as well as basic concepts. Students will figure out why states act they way they do. This course also deals with decision-making processes and factors affecting foreign policy. They will study how various governments develop the strategies to guide their actions in global affairs. Students will also examine institutional and cross-national approaches to demonstrate how foreign policy is formulated and influenced by domestic and global considerations. Prerequisite: Comparative Politics, Introduction to International Relations

It is the objective of the course to give participants an overview over the important issues in foreign policy. Participants will not only learn about the most recent developments in foreign affairs but also gain historical insights about the evolvement of means and strategies in foreign policy. The use of the comparative method will allow to identify differences and similarities in the foreign policies of an array of countries. Participants will get a sense of what determines the interests of specific countries and how it influences their behavior on the international stage.

Active participation is expected. Each student is required to visit the consulting hour of the instructor at least once a semester. Ideally, students fulfill this requirement when they prepare for the presentation they have to hold in this course.

Attendance and participation will be treated as one item. Students are expected to participate actively.

No previous knowledge required. Each student is required to visit the consulting hour of the instructor at least once a semester. Ideally, students fulfill this requirement when they prepare for the presentation they have to hold in this course.

Participants will gain insights in the purpose, means, strategies and challenges of foreign policy. They will learn about the differences in the interests of the major powers of the world and how they pursue these interests. They will be able to assess developments in foreign affairs and gain the basic knowledge that will be useful for those who plan to work in the field of diplomacy.