AHMES07: The making of British Foreign and Defence Policy

Module code: AHMES07

Module provider: Leadership, Organisations and Behaviour; Henley Business School

Credits: 30

Level: 7

When you'll be taught: Full year

Module convenor: Dr Graham O'Dwyer, email: g.m.odwyer@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE AHMES02 (Compulsory)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: na

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 19 November 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module is run by SPPE.

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.

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.  

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Assess the actors and institutions which contribute to the making of British foreign and defence policy. 
2. Explain the process by which foreign and defence policy is made.
3. Apply a range of ideas, assumptions, and values which drive British foreign policy.
4. Demonstrate an ability to reflect critically on the significance of the political context in which the British army must operate and the consequences of this.

Module 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. 

Structure

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.  

Study hours

At least 0 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

This module is subject to the Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes policy, which can be found at:

https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf

The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties to work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar month 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; 
• where the piece of work is submitted more than one calendar month after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

These may include: 

• Quizzes and multiple-choice questions.
• Discussion fora.

Reassessment

Additional costs