POL3042 : Writing for Foreign Policy Makers: Research Project in Foreign Policy Analysis
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Available for Study Abroad and Exchange students, subject to proof of pre-requisite knowledge.
- Module Leader(s): Professor Valentina Feklyunina
- Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The aims of this module are:
-To support students in developing and advancing written communication skills that will prepare them for careers in foreign policy and international politics, with the focus on writing for foreign policy makers.
-To provide students with the opportunity to engage in an in-depth examination of an issue in International Relations.
-To provide students with the opportunity to build on and develop the knowledge and understanding that students have gained from other modules in International Relations, and to apply their knowledge and understanding to an analysis of a 'real life' case.
-To allow students who do not wish to undertake a Dissertation to conduct a more limited research exercise.
Outline Of Syllabus
Students will be introduced to key principles of effective written communication in addressing foreign policy makers and will engage with a large range of 'real life' examples of foreign policy papers and policy briefs. Following a series of lectures on several substantive issues in Foreign Policy and International Politics and a series of workshops on policy writing, students will choose one of pre-set policy questions asking them to write a policy brief for foreign policy makers. Each student will have a project advisor.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 8 | 1:00 | 8:00 | In-person lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 183:00 | 183:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 2 | 2:00 | 4:00 | In-person policy writing workshop |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Q&A session with module leader |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Dissertation/project related supervision | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | Present in person meetings with supervisors; if in person not possible, synchronous online |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The choice of teaching methods reflects the emphasis of the module on developing knowledge of a specialist area of International Relations and on developing and practicing skills in writing for policy audiences.
Interactive lectures will introduce students to key principles of effective writing for policy audiences, and will cover key concepts of Foreign Policy Analysis. Lectures will also introduce students to several substantive issues in International Relations that students will need to investigate further as part of their guided independent study.
Interactive workshops will introduce students to a range of 'real life' examples of policy briefs written for foreign policy makers and will allow students to discuss them in small groups. Students will them practice developing a plan for their own foreign policy briefs on given topics.
Project supervision sessions will provide students with the opportunity to discuss their progress on their chosen topics for foreign policy briefs with their advisors.
Drop-in surgeries will provide students with the opportunity to ask any questions related to their assignment and receive further guidance.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prof skill assessmnt | 1 | A | 100 | Foreign Policy Brief: 3,500 words |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prof skill assessmnt | 1 | M | Plan for foreign policy brief |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The policy brief will develop the practical and transferable skills which students will use in the workplace, thus increasing their employability. It will assess students’ research, writing and presentation skills when writing for policy audiences.
The formative assessment is a plan for the above policy brief, allowing students to receive feedback on their work in the middle of the semester and reflect on this feedback while completing their summative assessment.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- POL3042's Timetable