Module manager: Dr Rachel Utley
Email: r.e.utley@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as a discovery module
The Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher, became a formidable feature on the international stage in the last decade or so of the Cold War. Inspiring admiration and controversy often in equal measure, she was a staunch advocate of the pursuit of British national interests, and a keen proponent of Britain’s rightful role in the world. During her period of office, foreign policy was arguably more concentrated in 10 Downing Street than any other aspect of government activity. In this module students will investigate a broad range of themes and concerns within United Kingdom foreign policy in the years 1979-90. You will consider areas such as relations with the USA and USSR; relations with key states within Europe, as well as with the European Economic Community as a whole; residual relations with the Commonwealth; and the significance of alliances and other international organisations such as the UN. You will explore the significance of crises, the role(s) of diplomacy, and the impact of conflict (particularly the Falklands War). This will allow you also to evaluate the changing international context, developments in the superpower relationship and the impact of Cold War developments in Europe and beyond in framing the scope for influence of a state such as the UK at a time of international tension and change. Content warnings apply to some of the readings/materials in this module. Please email the module tutor if you have any queries or concerns in advance of enrolment. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
The objective of the module is equip you with a broad knowledge of developments in UK foreign policy in the latter years of the Cold War.
It also aims to increase your capacity to engage with relevant conceptual issues in the study of foreign policy and your knowledge and understanding of the principal historiographical controversies surrounding this topic.
The module further aims to develop your ability to identify and synthesise a wide range of primary and secondary source material of relevance to the subject and to build skills in the effective and appropriate communication of knowledge both orally and in writing.
By the end of this module, you should have developed extensive knowledge and understanding of key areas of UK foreign policy under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher from 1979.
You should have a detailed grasp of the determinants and constraints of foreign policy making, both national and external; the significance of political leadership and the domestic political environment; the context and challenges of formulating and implementing policy choices in an increasingly interdependent world; the significance of bilateral and multilateral policy-making in relation to principal partnerships, alliance relations, multilateral and regional as well as broader international organisations; and the significance of crises and conflict in shaping both foreign policy decision-making, and the perspectives of those who bear such responsibilities. In addition, you should have a heightened sense of constancy and change over time, and the factors affecting these characterisations over such a significant international time frame.
Furthermore, you should be able to demonstrate extensive familiarity with the principal biographical and secondary literature in this area, and will have developed enhanced skills in analysis and critical thinking in relation to these sources against the fundamental backdrop of their identification, use and evaluation of relevant primary, archival materials.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Supervision | 2 | 0.2 | 0.4 |
| Seminar | 20 | 2 | 40 |
| Private study hours | 355.6 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 44.4 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 400 | ||
Ongoing feedback and advice on seminar progress and performance.
Submission of essay outline for written feedback and in-person discussion with tutor in semester 1.
Written feedback and in-person advice on minimum 2, maximum 3 gobbet answers completed across semester 2.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Essay or Dissertation | Essay | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 50 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Online Time-Limited assessment | 48.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 50 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 28/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team