Introduction to International Relations

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Identify actors and processes in international politics, providing examples.
• Demonstrate extensive knowledge of the literature and good use of bibliographic references.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Key issues of current global politics
• The key principles of particular arguments in application to specific dimensions of international relations

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Express your understanding of a module through written communication
• Student Engagement
• Apply critical thinking
• Student Reflection

This course is an introduction to the major principles, concepts, actors, and theories of the international system and their application to current issues in world affairs. The module is divided into two parts. The first part of the course examines a number of different theoretical approaches drawn from different intellectual traditions in the discipline, including Classical and Contemporary Realism, Liberalism, and Radical approaches to IR as well as contemporary debates on Governance and Globalisation. The second part discusses a number of current International Issues.

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching will be 2 hours of lectures per week. All will be recorded and posted on Blackboard. Lectures will be delivered either face to face or online only depending upon University and Public Health England Guidance at the time. Total of 24 hours of lectures (2 hours per week X 12 weeks) per module.

Weekly student participation in online discussion boards. 1 hour per week delivered asynchronously. (1 hour X 12 weeks)

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Baylis, John et al., eds (2013). The Globalization of World Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Bull, Hedley (1977). The Anarchical Society. London: MacMillan.

Heywood, Andrew (2014). Global Politics. Basingstoke: Palgrave/Malmillan.

Mansbach, Richard W. and Taylor, Kirsten L. (2012). Introduction to Global Politics. London and New York: Routledge.

Nye, Joseph (2013). Understanding Global Conflict and Cooperation: An Introduction to Theory and History. London: Pearson Education.

Art, Robert J. and Robert Jervis, eds. (2007). International Politics: Enduring Concepts and Contemporary Issues. New York: Longman.

Assessment strategy

The arrangements applicable to students repeating the year are the same as the ones for referral.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Class Test

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback:
• Final Assessment: No
• Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External