Power and Foreign Policy in International Relations from Coursera

Then, the course delves deeper into case studies of contemporary great powers, middle powers, and small powers. These empirical case studies will raise the general knowledge of students about current developments and trends in foreign relations from different regions of the world. The examples of foreign policy approaches and decisions of nation-states, based on world news events of recent times, will help students to figure out the essence of world politics as it is being practiced in present times and prepare students to anticipate the future international orders to come.

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Syllabus

Course Introduction

Welcome to the Power and Foreign Policy in International Relations course! This course acquaints you with how power matters in the conduct of international relations and how it affects the strategies and tactics of a nation-state in dealing with other nation-states. It demonstrates the link between a country’s ranking in the international system and the means and methods it adopts to deal with the rest of the world. The course begins with introducing a few concepts about what constitutes power in world affairs, how it is calculated, and how the international power configuration changes over time. You will also learn what foreign policy means and what its constituent elements, strategies, or activities are.  Then,  the course delves deeper into case studies of contemporary great powers, middle powers, and small powers. These empirical case studies will raise the general knowledge of students about current developments and trends in foreign relations from different regions of the world. The examples of foreign policy approaches and decisions of nation-states, based on world news events of recent times, will help students to figure out the essence of world politics as it is being practiced in present times and prepare students to anticipate the future international orders to come.   

Power and Foreign Policy–The Inseparable Twins

In this module, you will learn about what power means in international relations and how it is measured in terms of specific attributes of a nation-state. You will also learn about core concepts such as international power configuration and international order and the role of units (nation-states and non-state actors) in these structures. The module also analyzes what foreign policy means, how it is formulated on the basis of national interests, why a nation-state adopts a particular type of foreign policy, and how all this is inextricably linked to its power position in the international system. By the end of this module, you will gain an insight into why a great power behaves in a manner that is different from the behavior of a middle power or a small power.

Foreign Policy of Great Powers: Case Study–The United States of America

In this module, you will build upon the earlier awareness of power and foreign policy behavior. You will closely examine the conduct of the USA, which has been a key great power since the end of World War II, and how it shaped the post-World War II international system through a variety of strategies and means. You will also gain an insight into how there was a shift in the policies of the USA in tandem with the changes in the international power configuration from the Cold War era of bipolarity to the post-1991 unipolar period and then again from bipolarity to the present emergent multipolar world order. By the end of this module, you can appreciate how the USA has dealt with fellow great powers and weaker powers and what kind of grand strategy has motivated the USA since 1945.

Foreign Policy of Middle Powers: Case Study–India

In this module, you will learn about concepts like power and foreign policy in the context of an emerging middle power, India, which is estimated to have the potential of becoming a great power. You will also learn how India’s rise in the past two decades is closely associated with its high economic growth, its international multilateral alignments and strategic partnerships, and the vision of its political leadership to attain the status of a leading power in the world. The module will take you along India’s journey from being a sub-regional power in South Asia to an Asian regional power and an important balancing power in present times in the broader Indo-Pacific. Finally, you will gain an insight into the factors pushing India up in the international power configurations and the domestic political obstacles to its rise.

Foreign Policy of Small Powers: Case Study–Qatar

In this module, you will learn about the tiny Persian Gulf monarchy of Qatar, which has adopted a foreign policy mix of alliance with the USA while simultaneously pursuing an independent and ambitious form of assertiveness vis-à-vis its regional competitors. The module discusses the rise of Qatar as a fossil fuel colossus and how it parlayed its natural resource abundance to punch above its weight in the Middle East and global energy institutions. You will also learn why Qatar moved to a policy of supporting Islamist political groups in the region and beyond and how it capitalized on being a small power to become a moderator and mediator in multiple armed conflict zones. Finally, the module also explains how regime survival is a critical driver of foreign policy in this authoritarian country.

Peer Review Assignment

This module describes the learning objectives, project brief, review criteria, and submission instructions for the Peer Review Individual Assignment for the course.

Course Wrap-Up

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the nature of power in the global stage and how it affects international strategies

Teaches foreign policy tools that can be used to create engaging strategies

Examines the impact of power on the rankings of nation-states

Develops an understanding of foreign policy and its essential elements

Provides real-world examples of foreign policy in practice, giving context to the theories learned

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Power and Foreign Policy in International Relations with these activities:

Lead a Study Group on a Course Topic

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Mentoring others not only reinforces your own understanding but also develops your communication and leadership abilities.

Browse courses on International Relations

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Organize a group of students and choose a topic to focus on.
Prepare materials and discussion questions.
Facilitate regular study sessions.

Compile a Glossary of Key Terms

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Creating a glossary will reinforce your understanding of fundamental concepts and their application in international relations.

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Identify key terms from the course materials.
Define each term concisely.
Organize the terms alphabetically.

Analyze Historical Case Studies

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Examining historical case studies will enhance your ability to apply course concepts to real-world scenarios.

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Select a historical event involving a great power.
Analyze the power dynamics and foreign policy strategies involved.
Repeat the process for a middle power and a small power.

Four other activities

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Explore Foreign Policy Databases and Resources

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Familiarizing yourself with these resources will empower you with tools to supplement your learning and stay informed about current events.

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Identify relevant foreign policy databases and websites.
Create a repository of useful links.
Regularly explore these resources for updates and insights.

Write a Blog Post on a Contemporary Foreign Policy Issue

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Writing a blog post will encourage you to synthesize your knowledge, develop your writing skills, and engage with contemporary issues.

Browse courses on Foreign Policy

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Choose a significant foreign policy issue.
Research the topic thoroughly.
Write a well-structured blog post expressing your insights.

Participate in Model United Nations Simulations

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Model UN simulations provide an immersive and practical platform to apply your understanding of international relations and foreign policy.

Browse courses on United Nations

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Find a reputable Model UN simulation to participate in.
Research the assigned country and its foreign policy.
Develop a strategy for representing the country effectively.
Participate actively in debates and negotiations.

Design a Foreign Policy Strategy for a Given Country

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Developing a comprehensive foreign policy strategy will challenge you to synthesize your knowledge and apply it to a real-world scenario.

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Choose a country and conduct a thorough analysis of its current foreign policy.
Identify key challenges and opportunities for the country.
Develop a comprehensive strategy addressing these challenges and opportunities.
Create a detailed report outlining your strategy.

Career center

Learners who complete Power and Foreign Policy in International Relations will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Foreign Policy Analyst

The Foreign Policy Analyst is the government role in which this course would be the most directly applicable. This course provides an overview of the field of international relations and the concepts of power and foreign policy. The knowledge gained in this course can help the Foreign Policy Analyst understand how countries interact with each other and how power dynamics affect foreign policy decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Foreign Policy Analyst

Diplomat

Diplomats are responsible for representing their country's interests abroad. This course can help them understand world affairs and how to interact with other countries. The course also provides a solid foundation in the history of international relations, which can be helpful for understanding current events.

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International Relations Professor

This course can be useful for aspiring International Relations Professors by providing them with knowledge of the field and the concepts of power and foreign policy. The course also covers the history of international relations, which can be helpful for understanding current events. In addition, the course provides a solid foundation in research methods, which can be useful for conducting research in international relations.

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Political Scientist

This course may be useful for Political Scientists who specialize in international relations by providing them with an overview of the field and the concepts of power and foreign policy. The course also covers the history of international relations, which can be helpful for understanding current events. In addition, the course provides a solid foundation in research methods, which can be useful for conducting research in political science.

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Journalist

This course may be useful for Journalists specializing in international affairs by providing them with an overview of the field and the concepts of power and foreign policy. The course also covers the history of international relations, which can be helpful for understanding current events.

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Intelligence Analyst

This course may be useful for Intelligence Analysts by providing them with a foundation in the field of international relations and the concepts of power and foreign policy. The course also covers the history of international relations, which can be helpful for understanding current events. In addition, the course provides a solid foundation in research methods, which can be useful for conducting research in international relations.

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Nonprofit Program Manager

This course may be useful for Nonprofit Program Managers working in the field of international development by providing them with an overview of the field of international relations and the concepts of power and foreign policy. The course also covers the history of international relations, which can be helpful for understanding current events.

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Research Assistant

This course may be useful for Research Assistants working in the field of international relations by providing them with a foundation in the field and the concepts of power and foreign policy. The course also covers the history of international relations, which can be helpful for understanding current events. In addition, the course provides a solid foundation in research methods, which can be useful for conducting research in international relations.

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Policy Advisor

This course may be useful for Policy Advisors working in the field of international affairs by providing them with an overview of the field and the concepts of power and foreign policy. The course also covers the history of international relations, which can be helpful for understanding current events.

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Consultant

This course may be useful for Consultants working in the field of international relations by providing them with an overview of the field and the concepts of power and foreign policy. The course also covers the history of international relations, which can be helpful for understanding current events.

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Lobbyist

This course may be useful for Lobbyists working in the field of international affairs by providing them with an overview of the field and the concepts of power and foreign policy. The course also covers the history of international relations, which can be helpful for understanding current events.

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Business Development Manager

This course may be useful for Business Development Managers working in the field of international business by providing them with an overview of the field of international relations and the concepts of power and foreign policy. The course also covers the history of international relations, which can be helpful for understanding current events.

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Investment Banker

This course may be useful for Investment Bankers working in the field of international finance by providing them with an overview of the field of international relations and the concepts of power and foreign policy. The course also covers the history of international relations, which can be helpful for understanding current events.

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Marketer

This course may be useful for Marketers working in the field of international marketing by providing them with an overview of the field of international relations and the concepts of power and foreign policy. The course also covers the history of international relations, which can be helpful for understanding current events.

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Sales Manager

This course may be useful for Sales Managers working in the field of international sales by providing them with an overview of the field of international relations and the concepts of power and foreign policy. The course also covers the history of international relations, which can be helpful for understanding current events.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager