Undergraduate Course: The Political Psychology of Global Affairs (PLIT10180)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The Political Psychology of Global Affairs course explores how a range of psychological factors including beliefs, personality, emotions, and group dynamics shape foreign policy and international interactions. Students will examine both individual and collective psychological influences on global politics, engaging with key theories and applying them to case studies. This approach will equip students with critical skills to assess the impact of psychology on security, diplomacy, and state relations. |
| Course description |
Academic Description:
This course offers an in-depth exploration of the psychological mechanisms that influence international decision-making, with a particular focus on socio-psychological dynamics and the role of leaders. It aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how psychological factors such as cognitive biases, perceptions, beliefs and emotions shape foreign policy decisions and international interactions. By introducing key psychological theories and applying them to real-world case studies, students will gain the analytical tools necessary to assess the impact of psychology on security, diplomacy, and conflict between states. The course emphasises both the theoretical foundations and practical applications of political psychology in international relations.
Outline Content:
The course covers a broad range of topics. These may include: the political psychology of leaders and their decision-making processes, the psychology of interstate rivalries, group psychology (including groupthink, stereotypes and social movements), the role of emotions in world politics, the psychology of terrorism and radicalisation, the psychological dimensions of nuclear weapons, and the psychology of populism. Students will critically engage with these topics through psychological frameworks, examining how they influence global political outcomes. Case studies and profiling exercises will allow students to apply theoretical knowledge to practical, real-world examples, offering a multidisciplinary perspective on international relations.
Student Learning Experience:
The course will be taught through a combination of seminars and tutorials, emphasising active participation and critical debate. Seminars will explore the core psychological theories, encouraging students to discuss and analyse their relevance to contemporary foreign policy issues. Tutorials will include a mix of individual and group work, providing a supportive environment for students who may be less comfortable with individual contributions to engage in group discussions. The course also features leader profiling exercises, case study analysis, and debates, allowing students to apply psychological concepts to real-world political scenarios. This blend of theoretical discussion and practical application ensures a dynamic and interactive learning experience.
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Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites |
Visiting students should have at least four Politics/IR courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). Only university/college-level courses will be considered. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2025/26, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 0 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 10,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
176 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
90 %,
Practical Exam
10 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Political Leader's profiling 40%
Essay 50%
Tutorial participation 10% |
| Feedback |
Students will receive formative feedback during tutorials where they can discuss their ideas in a group setting, and they will have opportunities to submit draft work for informal feedback before assessments. Feedback on all assessed work shall normally be returned within three weeks of submission. Where this is not possible, students shall be given clear expectations regarding the timing and methods of feedback. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of psychological factors influencing international relations and foreign policy.
- Critically analyse historical and contemporary foreign policy decisions through the lens of psychological theories and frameworks.
- Conduct informed psychological assessments of political leaders, recognising their influence on international dynamics.
- Apply research skills to investigate the role of psychological elements in shaping foreign policy decision-making.
- Integrate theoretical knowledge with practical case studies and effectively communicate these analyses through written essays, discussions, and debates.
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Reading List
1. Bar-Tal, Daniel. 2013. Intractable Conflicts: Socio-Psychological Foundations and Dynamics. Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press.
2. Brummer, Klaus, and Valerie M. Hudson, eds. 2015. Foreign Policy Analysis Beyond North America. 1st edition. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers, Inc.
3. Osborne, Danny, and Chris G. Sibley, eds. 2022. The Cambridge Handbook of Political Psychology. Cambridge Handbooks in Psychology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
4. Özdamar, Özgür, and Sercan Canbolat. 2023. Leaders in the Middle East and North Africa: How Ideology Shapes Foreign Policy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
5. Post, Jerrold M., ed. 2003. The Psychological Assessment of Political Leaders: With Profiles of Saddam Hussein and Bill Clinton. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
1. Enhanced critical evaluation skills through the application of psychological theories to case studies and leader profiling.
2. Improved communication through presentations, debates, and written analyses that articulate complex psychological concepts and their influence on international relations.
3. Developed autonomy through independent research projects and application of psychological analysis.
4. Strengthened collaboration through group discussions and debates. |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Consuelo Thiers
Tel:
Email: cthiers@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | |
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