COURSE OUTLINE AND READING LIST - POLI 353: THE FOREIGN POLICY OF GHANA

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA

COURSE OUTLINE AND READING LIST

POLI 353: THE FOREIGN POLICY OF GHANA

FIRST SEMESTER, 2018/2019

Instructor: A. Arko Blay 

E-mail address: blaystine@yahoo.com

Office Location: F-BKL 207

Office Hours: Mon. 09:00am-3:00pm

Thur. 01:00pm-3:00pm  

Lecture Time and Venue: Thur. 10:30am-01:30pm @ [FB 201]

                                                                          

Course Description

This course is to upgrade students’ knowledge and understanding of Ghana’s foreign policy. Starting with the concept of national interest and foreign policy making, the class progresses to contemporary dynamics and issues of Ghana’s foreign policy. Institutional dynamics of foreign policy formulation in Ghana will be discussed as part of the course. Students will also be taken through the determinants of foreign policy in Ghana. Finally, the historical and contemporary discussions will focus on Ghana’s good neighbour policy; economic diplomacy; continental affairs; and extra-continental international relations.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course therefore, students will be able to:

·         Discuss the driving force behind Ghana’s foreign decision-making;

·         Evaluate how actors shapes and influence foreign policy making

·         Explain the instruments of foreign decision making;

·         Learn how to think and write critically about key debates in Ghana’s foreign policy.

Evaluation

Reflective Paper [1000 words]                                               10%

Interim Assessment                                                                 20%

Group Presentation                                                                 10%

Written Examination                                                               60%

Total                                                                                       100%

Course Topics and Readings

1.      The Nature and Scope of Foreign Policy

Goldstein, J. & Pevehouse, J. (2008). International Relations (8^th edn.). New York: Pearson Longman.

Morgenthau J.H., (1972). Politics Among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace, (4^th edn.), New York: Knopt.

Nau, H, R (2009). Perspectives on International Relations. Power, Institutions and Ideas (2^nd edn.). Washington, D.C.: CA Press.

Rourke, J. T. (2007).International Politics on the World Stage (11^th edn.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Frankel, J.,(1970). National Interest. London: Pall Mall Press Limited.

2.      Determinants of Foreign Policy Making  

Plischke, P. (1988). Foreign Relations: Analysis of its Anatomy. Wesport, CT: Greenwood Press.

Asare E. B. (2015). International Politics: The Beginner’s Guide, Revised edition. Tema: Digi- Books Ghana Limited.

Hill, C., (2000) “Foreign Policy” Oxford Companion to Politics of the World, Krieger, J. (ed.), New York: Oxford University Press.

3.      Actors and Structures in Ghana’s Foreign Policy Making

Bluwey, G. K. (2003). Understanding International Relations. Accra: Yamens Press Limited.

Hermann, M. G. (2014). Explaining Foreign Policy Behavior Using the Personal Characteristics of Political Leaders, 24(1), 7–46.

Kumado, K. (1995). “Foreign Policy Making in the Context of our National Constitution: An Overview”. In Ameyedowo & Birku, B. (eds.), Parliament and Foreign Policy Making in Ghana. Accra: Gold Type Publications.

Republic of Ghana (1992). The Constitution. Accra: Assembly Press.

Smith, S., Hadfield, A. & Dunne, T.  (eds.) (2012). Foreign Policy: Theories, Actors, and Cases. New York: Oxford University Press.

4.      Ghana at the Centre of Africa Unity: The Nkrumah Era

Agyeman-Duah, B. & C.K. Daddieh, C.K (1994)  “Ghana” In Shaw, T & Okolo, J.E. (eds.), The Political Economy of African Foreign Policy in “ECOWAS”, New York: St. Martin’s Press.

Armah, K. (2005). Peace without Power: Ghana’s Foreign Policy, 1957-66. Accra: University Press.

Asamoah, O. (1991). Nkrumah’s Foreign Policy 1951-1966. The Life and Work of Nkrumah. Accra: Sedco Publishing.

 Asamoah, O.Y. (2014). The Political History of Ghana (1950-2013): The Experience of a Non-Conformist. London: Author House Publishers.

Asante, K.B. (1997). Foreign Policy Making in Ghana: Options for the 21^st Century. Accra: Fredrich Ebert Foundation.

Nkrumah, K. (1964). Africa Must Unite. London: Heinemann Educational Books.

Thompson, W.S. (1969). Ghana’s Foreign Policy, 1957-1966: Diplomacy, Ideology, and the New State. New Jersey: Princeton University Press.

5.      Regime Changes and Foreign Policy Making (NLC/PP/NRC/SMC)

Asante, S. K. B. (2011). Setting Straight the Record of Ghana's Recent Political Past. Tema: Digibooks Ghana Limited.

Libby, R. T. (1976). “External Co-optation of a Less Developed Country’s Policy Making:

The Case of Ghana, 1969-1972” World Politics, Vol. 29 (1).

Aluko, O., (1975), “After Nkrumah: Continuity and Change in Ghana’s Foreign Policy”, A Journal of Opinion, Vol 5 (1).

Goldsworthy, D. (1973) “Ghana's Second Republic: A Post-Mortem”, African Affairs, Vol. 72, No. 286, Oxford University Press.

6.      The PNDC and Global Politics

Asante, K.B. (1997). Foreign Policy Making in Ghana: Options for the 21^st Century. Accra: Fredrich Ebert Foundation.

Boafo-Arthur, K. (1989). “Trends in Ghana’s Foreign Policy”, In Hansen and Ninsin (eds), The State, Development and Politics in Ghana. London: Codesria Book Series, Pp.137-162.

__________  (1993), “Ghana’s External since 31^st December, 1981”, In Gyimah-Boadi, E. (ed.), Ghana under PNDC Rule. London: CODESRIA.  

Adedeji, J. L. (2001). “The Legacy of J. J. Rawlings in Ghanaian Politics, 1979-2000.” African Studies Quarterly, 5(2), 1–27.

Agyeman-Duah, B. (1987). “Ghana, 1982–6: The Politics of the PNDC.” The Journal of Modern African Studies 25(4): 613–642.

7.      Changing Nature and Continuity in Foreign Policy: 1993-2017.

Agyeman-Duah, I. ed., (2008). An Economic History of Ghana, Reflections on Half Century of Challenges and Progress. Oxfordshire: Ayebia Clarke Publishing Limited.

Amenumey, D. E. K. (2011). Ghana: A Concise History from Pre-Colonial Times to the 20th Century. Accra: Woeli Publishing Services.

Boafo-Arthur, K. (2007), “The Liberal Ghanaian State and Foreign Policy: the Dynamics of Change and Continuity” In K. Boafo-Arthur, K. (ed.), Ghana: One Decade of the Liberal State. London: Zed.

Mahama, P, Y. (2012), “Ghana-Cote D’ivoire Relations after the fall of Gbagbo: Challenges and Lessons.” Sacha Journal of Policy and Strategic Studies, Vol. 2(1).

Reflective Paper:

How valid is the claim that Parliament of Ghana ratification of the military cooperation Agreement with the United States of America (US) does not serve the national interest of Ghana?

This will constitute 10% of the final grade for the course; due for submission on the 5^th week of lectures [11/10/2018]).