PO3BFD-British Foreign and Defence Policy since 1945

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Kenton White
Email: kenton.white@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The purpose of this module is to encourage students to critically evaluate Britain's foreign and defence policy record in the post-war era. This module is broken up into two areas. The first will look at the theory and practice of how foreign and defence policy is made. The second part will address what the policies have been and why, and what the current policies look like. The course will examine the end of the British Empire, the development of the Commonwealth, the nature of Britain’s relationship with the US and Britain’s sometimes ‘awkward’ relationship with other European states. The course then critically examines a series of major post-war challenges – the Suez crisis, the Falklands War, economic and ‘soft power’, its retention of nuclear weapons, the impact of New Labour on British foreign policy including the conflict in Iraq. The course concludes with an exercise assessing the UK's place in the world today and strategy for the future.

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.


• Develop 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 policy analysis.


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

Assessable learning outcomes:

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

• identify and explain the main features of British Foreign and Defence Policy;


• critically appraise contrasting interpretations of Britain's role in the world;


• use research methods to gather data on policy creation and implementation;


• organise material and articulate arguments effectively. 

Additional outcomes:

• Students will develop their effectiveness in both critical analysis and oral presentation


• Informed and critical approach to using primary and secondary sources


• Enhanced confidence in and effectiveness of oral and written communication through seminar discussions, presentations and essays


• improved time management through meeting deadlines and regular seminar preparation

Outline content:

The module covers topics relating to various aspects of UK foreign and defence policy in post-war era, including military engagements such as the Falklands War, uses of soft and smart power, and key relationships ranging from the UK/US ‘Special relationship’ to the Government’s relationship with the media, nuclear weapons and key strategic partners.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This module is taught via 10 weekly lectures and seminars. The classes require substantial preparatory reading and frequent contributions to discussion by all students.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	10
Seminars	10
Guided independent study:	180
Total hours by term	200	0	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	90
Oral assessment and presentation	10

Summative assessment- Examinations:

N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students will undertake a group presentation on an assigned topic.  This presentation will account for 10% of the overall module mark.

Students will write a 3000-word essay which comprises 40% of the overall module mark. This will be on a question chosen from a list provided by the Module Convenor. 

Students will write a 4000-word essay which comprises 50% of the overall module mark.

Visiting students will follow the same assessments for full credits. Visiting students who are only studying for half credits in the Spring term will submit one 3000-word essayand complete an in-class presentation.

Non-submitted essays will be awarded a mark of zero.

Formative assessment methods:

Students will make oral outline presentations which will form the basis of seminar discussion. All students are expected to contribute extensively to class debate. 

Penalties for late submission:

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:
40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Candidates who fail their final year normally have the right to be re-examined on one further occasion at the next opportunity. These candidates will not normally be eligible for Honours (ie., only a ‘Pass’ classification would be attainable). Students who are eligible for re-assessment have the right to re-assessment in all elements even if they have previously passed one of those elements. It is expected, however, that the majority of students would probably elect not to repeat an element in which they had already passed, in which case the confirmed marks would be carried forward.

Coursework: Failed or missing coursework should be re-submitted by 1st August, emailed directly to politics@reading.ac.uk AND submitted on Blackboard.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:

Students should have regular access to the following texts, either through the library or otherwise:

Self, Robert. British Foreign and Defence Policy Since 1945 (2010)

M. McCourt, David. Britain and World Power Since 1945 : Constructing a Nation's Role in International Politics (2014)

2) Specialist equipment or materials:

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:

4) Printing and binding: There may be optional costs associated with photocopying or printing sources listed on the reading list relating to this module.

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Voluntary attendance at the British Army Combat Power Demonstration in the autumn term, 2023, ahead of commencement of the module in the spring term 2024, subject to restrictions and other limitations beyond the control of the University. The cost is currently set at £30 per student, but this may vary at the time of attending.

Last updated: 30 March 2023