Theorising International Politics

Module overview

Although a ‘common sense’ view of world politics is often presented in non-academic contexts, there is little agreement among experts on what international relations is, and how we should think about the discipline. This module enables students to critically examine the conventional wisdom and as a result to gain a more critical understanding of international relations. The module emphasizes that ‘the truth’ about international relations is disputed and analyses competing knowledge claims Pre-requisite for PAIR3001 and PAIR3005

Linked modules

Pre-requisite: PAIR1001 or PAIR1002 or PAIR1004 or PAIR1005

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Apply IR theories and approaches to better understand different events and processes in the world

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Evaluate the contribution of different theories of international relations to our understanding and explanation of international relations
Summarise the arguments from academic literature in way which presents the core of the academic contribution to knowledge

Knowledge and Understanding

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

Analyse the purpose, coherence, and contradictions of contemporary theories of international relations

Learning and Teaching

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. 6 weeks of seminars once every two weeks.

Study time
Type	Hours
Independent Study	114
Teaching	36
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Jackson and Sorenson. Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches. OUP.

Carlsnaes, Risse, Simmons. Handbook of International Relations. SAGE.

Dunne, Kurki and Smith. International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity. OUP.

Baylis, Smith. The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations. OUP.

Dunne, Kurki and Smith,. International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity. OUP.

Carlsnaes, Risse, Simmons. Handbook of International Relations. SAGE.

Burchill, et al.,. Theories of International Relations. Palgrave.

Burchill, et al. Theories of International Relations. Palgrave.

Brown, Ainley. Understanding International Relations. Palgrave.

Jackson and Sorenson. Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches. OUP.

Baylis, Smith. The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations. OUP.

Assessment

Summative

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

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Seminar presentation	10%
Essay	50%
Essay	40%

Referral

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

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Essay	50%
Essay	50%

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	50%
Essay	50%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External