AHMES07-The making of British Foreign and Defence Policy

Module Provider: Leadership, Organisations and Behaviour
Number of credits: 30 [15 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites: AHMES02 Study Skills for Leaders
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Graham O'Dwyer
Email: g.m.odwyer@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is run by SPEIR. 

Drawing from the subfields of foreign policy analysis, UK politics, and comparative politics this module aims to provide students with an enhanced understanding of British foreign and defence policy in a contemporary context. It places a particular emphasis on how policy is formulated and, on the ideas, values, and assumptions which inform policy. It also compares British foreign and defence policy with that of other economically advanced states.

Aims:

The module aims to:  

• Develop knowledge of the various actors and institutions which contribute to the making of British foreign and defence policy and of the process by which policy is made.


• Expand understanding of the value of comparative analysis in the context of British foreign and defence policy.


• Introduce students to some of the key analytical tools and concepts in the context of foreign policy analysis.


• Cultivate the critical skills, awareness, and understanding necessary to recognize, evaluate, and explain current and future developments in British foreign policy.  

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to demonstrate:  

• Knowledge of the actors and institutions which contribute to the making of British foreign and defence policy. 


• Understanding of the process by which foreign and defence policy is made.


• Understand a range of ideas, assumptions, and values which drive British foreign policy.

Additional outcomes:

The module also aims to:  

• Expand knowledge and understanding of a range of academic arguments concerning British foreign and defence policy.


• Cultivate an ability to reflect upon and critically assess foreign policy from a variety of perspectives.


• Foster an ability to reflect critically on the significance of the political context in which the British army must operate and the resulting consequences. 


• Enhance students' ability to think critically about the uses and limitations of evidence in relation to British foreign and defence policy.


• Foster an appreciation of different approaches to analysing foreign and defence policy.


• Cultivate the knowledge and skills required to comprehend aspects of contemporary British foreign and defence policy in the broader context of the MSc pathway, which may be relevant in the extended research project. 

Outline content:

The module explores a range of topics designed to build on and further develop students’ existing understanding of British foreign and defence policy and how it is made. 

 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Students are required to:  

• Work through a series of on-line teaching materials, including slides, videos, and practical activities.


• Read extensively from the supporting literature.


• Reflect on the module content and readings individually and through contributions to online discussion fora.


• Complete a variety of formative on-line tests and exercises that assess knowledge of the module material.

Complete summative assignments on various aspects of the module.  

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	10
Seminars	5
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	50
Wider reading (directed)	100
Essay preparation	120
Reflection	15
Total hours by term	300	0	0
Total hours for module	300

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	40
Portfolio	60

Summative assessment- Examinations:

No Examination

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Essay (referred to as Written assignment, including essay in the table above) – 40%.

Policy analysis accompanied by a Reflective Component (referred to as Portfolio in the table above) – 60%. 

The total word count across the essay and the portfolio should be between 2,500-3,000 words. The students are also required to prepare a presentation consisting of a maximum of 10 slides with annotated notes that will be submitted to the student’s Chain of Command. This element is not marked but the marker will provide formative feedback on the slides. 

Formative assessment methods:

These may include: 

• Quizzes and multiple-choice questions.


• Discussion fora. 


• Essay and portfolio plans can be reviewed by the module convenor for formative feedback.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 'Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes', which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

Module pass mark of 50% 

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of the failed elements of the module.  

 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 5 September 2023