PL12003: Introduction to international relations
[Page last updated: 26 October 2023]
| Academic Year: | 2023/24 |
| Owning Department/School: | Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies |
| Credits: | 15 [equivalent to 30 CATS credits] |
| Notional Study Hours: | 300 |
| Level: | Certificate (FHEQ level 4) |
| Period: |
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| Assessment Summary: | CWES 20%, CWOG 20%, EXCB 60% |
| Assessment Detail: |
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| Supplementary Assessment: |
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| Requisites: | |
| Learning Outcomes: |
Students successfully completing the unit will demonstrate:
* basic knowledge on the major theoretical perspectives that influenced the discipline of IR; * ability to read international relations' studies literature critically, linking it to broader contexts; * knowledge and understanding of theories of causes of war, peace, trade, international cooperation, the challenges of environmentalism, and diplomacy; * ability to describe the major historical events that shaped the contemporary international system in relation with the major theoretical perspectives introduced in class; * ability to apply the conceptual benchmarks introduced in class to contemporary case studies. |
| Synopsis: | Explore the history, theories and issues that define the agenda in world politics. Examine world events from new angles and apply what you have learned.
You will be introduced to core theoretical frameworks and apply this analytical toolkit to issues such as war, peace, trade, international cooperation, and diplomacy as well as to contemporary case studies that are regularly updated in line with the latest developments in international politics. |
| Content: | The unit first introduces the schools of thought that shaped the discipline of IR, such as Realism, Liberalism, Constructivism, the English School, Feminism and Critical Perspectives.
The unit also introduces students to the historical cases that are commonly used to describe and locate specific concepts, such as International Anarchy, the Balance of Power, International Cooperation, Trade, War, Peace and Diplomacy.
After this, the unit will focus on the applications of these theoretical and conceptual lenses to understand contemporary case studies such as the American War on Terror, the use of Chemical Weapons in Syria, or states' attitudes towards environmental issues. |
| Course availability: |
PL12003 is Compulsory on the following courses:Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
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Notes:
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