Introduction To Foreign Policy

Foreign Policy for beginners; key concepts and theories; rational and psychological models; tons of examples; handouts.

What you'll learn

Define foreign policy

Understand the key puzzles of foreign policy

Learn how to study foreign policy

Understand the relationship between International Relations theories and foreign policy

Define Foreign Policy Analysis

Define Comparative Foreign Policy Analysis

Understand how FPA applies to international organisations

Understand the Rational Actor Model of Foreign Policy Analysis

Understand the Bureaucratic Model of Foreign Policy Analysis

Understand the Groupthink Model of Foreign Policy Analysis

Understand the Cognitive Model of Foreign Policy Analysis

Understand the role of Media and Public Opinion in Foreign Policy Analysis

Apply Foreign Policy Analysis to the Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Apply Foreign Policy Analysis to the US China strategy

Requirements

The course is designed for beginners and therefore does not require prior education in Politics or International Relations.

No upfront reading is necessary. In the course, students will learn about some of the most influential books on each topic.

For convenience, handouts for each lecture are provided and can be downloaded.

Description

This course will introduce you to the study of Foreign Policy. Whether you are a student or just someone interested in what studying Foreign Policy is about, this course will carefully guide you through the basics of this fascinating academic sub-field of International Relations. The course is ideal for beginners with no prior university education because it allows you to understand the basics of the sub-field. Although it is designed for beginners, the course will give you confidence to speak about Foreign Policy theories and concepts with much greater confidence. Imagine having a discussion with someone about American, Russian or China's foreign policy and being able to apply theories such as Rational Actor Model, Bureaucratic Model, Groupthink Model or Cognitive Model to educate them about how foreign policy really functions. This is the kind of confidence this course will give you.What You Will Get in This CourseHere is a summary of what you will learn in this course:Define foreign policyUnderstand the key puzzles of foreign policyLearn how to study foreign policyUnderstand the relationship between International Relations theories and foreign policyDefine Foreign Policy AnalysisDefine Comparative Foreign Policy AnalysisUnderstand how FPA applies to international organisationsUnderstand the Rational Actor Model of Foreign Policy AnalysisUnderstand the Bureaucratic Model of Foreign Policy AnalysisUnderstand the Groupthink Model of Foreign Policy AnalysisUnderstand the Cognitive Model of Foreign Policy AnalysisUnderstand the role of Media and Public Opinion in Foreign Policy AnalysisApply Foreign Policy Analysis to the Russian Invasion of UkraineApply Foreign Policy Analysis to the US China strategyMy Promise to YouI promise that the tuition in this course is of the highest quality, based on genuine university-level teaching and research. It is presented in a highly-accessible and engaging way, designed specifically for those who do not have prior university degree in Politics or International Relations.I invite you to send me a message if you have any questions about the content of this course.

Overview

Section 1: Introduction

Lecture 1 What to Expect in this Course

Lecture 2 What You Will Learn

Lecture 3 How You Will Learn

Lecture 4 About the Author

Section 2: Studying Foreign Policy

Lecture 5 What is Foreign Policy?

Lecture 6 The Key Puzzles of Foreign Policy

Lecture 7 How To Study Foreign Policy?

Lecture 8 IR Theories and Foreign Policy

Section 3: Foreign Policy Analysis

Lecture 9 What is Foreign Policy Analysis?

Lecture 10 Comparative Foreign Policy Analysis

Lecture 11 FPA and Non-State Actors

Section 4: Rational Actor Model of Foreign Policy

Lecture 12 Key Assumptions

Lecture 13 Rational Decision-Making Process

Lecture 14 Criticism

Lecture 15 Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962

Section 5: Bureaucratic Model of Foreign Policy

Lecture 16 Key Assumptions

Lecture 17 Bureaucratic Decision-Making Process

Lecture 18 Factors Influencing Bureaucratic Behaviour

Lecture 19 War in Iraq 2003

Section 6: Groupthink Model of Foreign Policy

Lecture 20 Key Assumptions 1

Lecture 21 Key Assumptions 2

Lecture 22 Negative Consequences

Lecture 23 Bay of Pigs Invasion of 1961

Section 7: Cognitive Model of Foreign Policy

Lecture 24 Key Assumptions

Lecture 25 Cognitive Biases

Lecture 26 Belief Systems and Cognitive Frames

Lecture 27 Decision-Making and Information Processing

Lecture 28 The Iran Nuclear Deal Negotiations 2013-2015

Section 8: Media, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy

Lecture 29 Media as Agenda Setters

Lecture 30 Public Opinion, Legitimacy and Feedback Loop

Lecture 31 Impact and Challenges

Lecture 32 Brexit, Media and Public Opinion

Section 9: Foreign Policy and Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Lecture 33 Rational Actor Model

Lecture 34 Bureaucratic Politics Model

Lecture 35 Groupthink Model

Lecture 36 Cognitive Psychology Approach

Lecture 37 Domestic Politics and Public Opinion

Section 10: Foreign Policy and US China Strategy

Lecture 38 Rational Actor Model

Lecture 39 Bureaucratic Politics Model

Lecture 40 Groupthink Model

Lecture 41 Cognitive Psychology Approach

Section 11: Quiz

Individuals interested in Foreign Policy and International Relations,Students of Politics and International Relations who want to consolidate their knowledge and improve their grades.,Commentators, bloggers and journalists covering foreign policy and international politics,Policy practitioners who want to improve their analytical skills and better understand the context of their policy activities