Description

Introduction to World Politics and International Relations

Description - summary of the module content

Module description

This module will provide a basic, critical introduction to world politics and international relations in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. You will require no detailed prior knowledge. However, you should have an interest in the modern world and an enquiring mind. The main focus of the module will be to examine conflict between states and the various agencies involved in the resolution, or attempted resolution, of those conflicts. ‘Power politics’ will be a central theme. The teaching will, for the most part, take place in seminars and round table discussion groups. You will prepare case studies for these and, with the guidance of a tutor, lead the discussions and contribute to the debates.
The module will be an ideal introduction to interdisciplinary work in the future.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to examine the relationship between states in the period since 1945. The module will explore the tensions and conflicts between states, and their origins. It will also examine the variety of mechanisms that exist to resolve these conflicts, in the form of both intergovernmental organisations and non-governmental organisations, and will assess their impact and effectiveness. 

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Describe some of the key issues and events in International Relations, especially since 1945
• 2. Explain some of the reasons why states go to war
• 3. Show knowledge and understanding of the relationship between states, intergovernmental organisations and non-state organisations, and some of the ways in which they have contributed to recent international issues
• 4. Analyse and evaluate some of the issues that contribute to conflict and conflict resolution in the area of world politics and international relations

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Assess critically selected books and journal articles written by present day scholars
• 6. Bring together material from a range of sources and organise it coherently within an essay to answer a question and argue a case
• 7. Support the aforesaid essay with a bibliography and critical apparatus in a scholarly manner

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 8. Take responsibility for your own learning and work independently;
• 9. Communicate effectively in a format appropriate to this discipline.

Syllabus plan

Syllabus plan

The syllabus will cover the following areas. It is thematic-based, not sequential.
A brief introduction to World Politics and International Relations theory/ Conflict theory

The Second World War and the post-war world: an overview
Lead lectures and Case Studies: These will be presented by the tutor in lecture form and include:
• Historical background to particular conflicts
• The theatre of conflict
• Attempts at resolution
States; Intergovernmental Organisations; Non-governmental Organisations
Systems of government: Democratic, Republican, Totalitarian, Fascist, Communist
Nuclear, chemical and biological weapons
Terrorism: national and international perspectives
The above will be integrated into the case studies introduced in the lead lectures to provide a coherent analysis of conflict and resolution

Student case studies
In a round table discussion, the students will chose conflict zones for their case studies. Tutors will provide guidance for each student in their choice of topic. The case studies used in the formal lead lectures will act as templates for student presentations and will be drawn from a selection of major areas of world conflict

Learning and teaching

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Assessment

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Re-assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Referral is the process whereby a further attempt at an individual examination, following an initial failure, is permitted without the requirement to repeat any attendance. Referral in any module will constitute a second formal examination – coursework may or may not be included in the re-assessment.

Resources

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Lowe, M. (2005). Mastering Modern World History. 4th Ed. Palgrave Macmillan: Basingstoke.
Wilkinson, P. (2007). International Relations: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford Paperbacks.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3013

Module has an active ELE page

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

Web based and electronic resources and the Internet

Newspapers

Key words search

World Politics/ International Relations, cold war, foreign policy, the arms race.