Course content

This course offers an introduction to general foreign policy formation. This involves the institutions and processes which characterize the politics that take place in the intersection between the national and the international level. National decision procedures as well as international restrictions on national decisions are discussed. Since these factors vary from state to state the course will adopt a comparative approach, i.e. it will be discussed how small states (e.g. Norway) make decisions within a different political framework than major powers (e.g. United States), and how this results in a different foreign policy practices. It is assumed that the students have some basic knowledge of modern history as well as national institutions and procedures of decision making.

Learning outcome

Knowledge - the student shall:

• have knowledge of the institutions and processes which take place at the intersection between national and international politics
• have knowledge of which conditions can influence a nation's foreign policy both internally in that country and within an international context - and how these partially vary in relation to which county one is studying

Skills - the student shall demonstrate the ability to:

• treat one of the themes which was discussed in instruction in an independent empirical analytical manner which fulfills the requirements for scientific writing
• orally discuss and reflect over one's own written work and the themes which were taken up in teaching.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and seminars for 4 hours per week. Supervision of term paper. In order to participate in the compulsory assignment and receive supervision of the term paper, the student needs to participate from the beginning of the semester. In order to be a part of the teaching activities (the distribution of tasks, the compulsory presentations and the supervision of term papers) it is required that the student attend the first lecture or the second lecture at the latest.

If 6 or fewer students attend the course the two first weeks of teaching, the course will be offered as an individual study course with supervision. Please contact the department for further information.

Compulsory assignments

• Presentation

Recommended previous knowledge

See formal requirements.

Required previous knowledge

60 credits including SOS1002 or an equivalent course in research methods. The requirement must be fulfilled to be admitted to the course.

Course materials

To be decided at the start of the course.

Credit reductions