Introduction to International Relations

Module overview

Explore the forces that shape our world by studying the structures, actors, and policy-making processes of international relations. This module equips students with the knowledge and skills to assess and apply competing theories of world politics, and to discuss great matters of international concern. Learning activities are designed to encourage students to propose and debate solutions to real-world problems related to security, human rights, global political economy, international development, the environment, war and peace, and migration. The module provides an opportunity for students to strengthen their research skills, to become critical thinkers, and to evaluate and advocate big ideas for changing the world.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Apply critical thinking
Express your understanding of a module through written communication

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:

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

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

The pattern of classroom activities is: 2 hours of large-group (lecture) education per week, and 1 hour of small-group (seminar) education per fortnight.

Study time
Type	Hours
Independent Study	120
Teaching	30
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

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.

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

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.

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

Assessment

Assessment strategy

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

Summative

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

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Essay	50%
Essay	50%

Referral

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

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Essay	100%

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.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Essay	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External