University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 11

Semester: 2

Availability restrictions: Available to students studying on campus MLitt programmes in the School of International Relations.

Planned timetable: Monday 10am to 12pm

In the disruptive world of today there is little on which we can depend in shaping policy. In Germany, the search for stability has been a constant theme in politicians’ statements. Even the European-American partnership is questioned. As a central power among European nations and within the European Union, Germany is in search of a new defence strategy. The country was long described as one "without a foreign policy“ (Henry Kissinger 1965). National security policies lack unity and coherence and are mainly stated in terms of compromises and generalities. Delay and slowness characterise the policy-making process. The deficiencies are sometimes blamed primarily on coalition government and lack of leadership. This module looks at principal decisions and decisive moments of German foreign and security policy from a historical perspective. It identifies the main debates and explains current failings against the background of the legacy of the past and institutional shortcomings.

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: I seminar (2 hours) x 11 weeks

Scheduled learning hours: 22

Guided independent study hours: 288

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 50%, Examination = 50%


Re-assessment: Examination = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Professor U S Schlie
Module teaching staff: Prof Ulrich Schlie
Module coordinator email uss1@st-andrews.ac.uk

Intended learning outcomes

• analyse and critique contemporary debates in Germany about foreign, defence and security policy
• identify and understand the ways in which German foreign and security policies are shaped by history
• critically analyse the relationship between state, society and the instruments of German foreign and security policy against the background of the current 'Zeitenwende'
• weigh and discuss foreign policy options
• apply key professional skills such as team work, time management, and effective written and oral communication to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the subject at hand
• identify and apply analytical and research skills relevant to the foreign and security policy making process