Course content

The course provides an introduction to "foreign policy", not necessarily "Norwegian foreign policy", but a more general meaning of the concept of "foreign policy". The course will discuss the institutions and processes that are characterized by the politics that take place in the intersection between the national and the international; it will provide an account of states' national decision making arenas and their international (handlingsrom). Since national institutions and the international area of influence vary from state to state this course will have a comparative perspective, it will amongst other things discuss how small states (i.e. Norway) are subject to other external conditions than the Great Powers (i.e. the USA), and how this is reflected in different foreign policy practices. It it 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
• have a command of the discipline's theory and methods and can contribute to the development of new knowledge in the field of foreign policy

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 is at a high international level

Learning methods and activities

Lectures/group discussions. 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. The essay is to be an independent discussion of a topic taught in lectures, and is to consist of 20 pages. If 6 or fewer students sign up for a planned course during the first 2 teaching weeks, the course will be offered as an instructed reading course. Please contact the department for further information.

Compulsory assignments

• Presentation

Required previous knowledge

Master's degree in Political Science or equivalent.

Course materials

To be decided at the start of the course.

Credit reductions