Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The aims of the module are to:
- Understand and critically assess key theories of international politics;

- Place theories of international politics into their historical contexts and link them to broader issues of power, inequality, identity, and conflict;

- Examine how theories produce different worlds, understandings of the international, and visions of order

- Provide guidance on how theories of international politics can be employed to examine substantive topics and contemporary issues

Outline Of Syllabus

The module will cover a range of topics, that may include:

-What is international politics?
-What is a theory (of international politics)?
-Empire, Race, Class, and the Origins of IR Theory
-Theories of Imperialism
-Feminist approaches
-Realisms
-Postcolonial Theory
-Rational Choice and Deterrence Theories
-The English School
-Liberal Institutionalism and Interdependence
-Dependency and World Systems Theories
-Constructivism
-Poststructuralism
-Critical Theory
-International Political Sociology
-Emotion and Affect Theories
-Quantum Theory and International Politics
-Aesthetic Theory and International Politics
-Practice Theory
-Assemblage Theory
-New Materialism
-Actor-Network-Theory
-Popular culture and world politics

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Upon completion of the module, students should have:

-An advanced understanding of what theories are and what they do in international politics;

-An advanced ability to connect theories of international politics to practice

-An advanced capacity to critically compare, contrast, contextualise, and assess different theories of international politics;

-An advanced ability to identify the political underpinnings of theories of international politics

-An advanced capacity to apply theories of world politics to substantive issues and contemporary topics through verbal and written forms of communication

Intended Skill Outcomes

On completion of the module, students should have developed:

-Cognitive Flexibility
-Communication Skills
-Critical thinking skills
-Intellectual skills
-Interpersonal and Communication
-Management of learning
-Planning and Organisation Skills
-Self-management/resilience

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

In the seminars key terms, approaches, concepts, and texts in the study of international relations will be introduced and discussed.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The Essay will assess the ability of students to: connect theory to practice; explain what theories do in international politics; and apply theories of international politics to substantive issues/contemporary topics. The Essay will further assess the ability of students to critically compare, contrast, contextualise, and assess different theories of international politics alongside their knowledge of what theories are, what they do, and how to identify the political underpinnings of theories of international politics.

General Notes

N/A