Cursos / 2º Ciclo / Faculty of Law :: International Relations

A DECISÃO EM POLÍTICA EXTERNA - 2021/2022

1º curricular year
Semestralidade: 1st semester
ECTS: 7.5

Teachers

Leading Teacher: Prof. Doutor Paulo Amorim
Assistant Professor: Prof. Doutor Paulo Amorim

Class type and School hours

Teórico-prática : 1 Horas
Orientação Tutorial : 1 Horas

Teaching Language

Portuguese

Main Aims/Objectives

The curricular unit Foreign Policy Decision-Making aims to introduce the main theoretical and conceptual frameworks for the study of foreign policy decision-making, allowing students to analyse the choices made by individuals, groups and coalitions that affect state´s actions in the international realm.

Specific Aims/Objectives

Understand and analyse the stages of the process of foreign policy decision-making (FPDM), as well as the major global and domestic determinants of state?s foreign policy behavior. The emphasis on decision-making and on the complexities involved in foreign policy making would allow a comprehensive understanding of international politics and specific policies of nations.

Skills to be acquired

At the end of the semester the student should be able to:

Fully uncover the cognitive processes that lead to foreign policy making;
Understand and highlight the stages of the political process leading to foreign policy decision-making;
Identify unique and general patterns of decisions
Understand the role played by leaders, and the importance of the domestic and international environment in the making of the foreign policy;
Apply the theoretical and conceptual frameworks to the analysis of case studies.

Teaching Procedures

Lectures and debate classes. The adopted methodology intends to stimulate and develop students? critical thinking and analysis capabilities. The active participation of students in class is valued.

Programme

1. Introduction
The international system in the age of interdependence
Foreign policy definition and aims
2. Stages of the political process
3. Decision-making: formal models
4. Global determinants of states: foreign policy behavior
5. Domestic determinants of states: foreign policy behavior
6. Individual determinants of states: foreign policy behavior
7. The influence of psychological factors in foreign policy decision-making
8. Diplomacy and Negotiation
9. Case-studies

Evaluation Type

CONTINUOUS EVALUATION

1. Debate classes (analysis and discussion of selected themes):
2. Individual work:
3. Final Exam:

Teaching Resources

In class we will use texts, maps, graphics among other materials that would be available to the students through the University computer resources.

Sustainability Objectives

Keywords

Foreign Policy
Decision-making
International System
International Relations

Main Bibliography

Complementary Bibliography