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Key Concepts in Politics and International Relations

Module description

In the twenty-first century, state-building has become a widely accepted path to peace, security and order in international relations. By developing a world of states – with legitimate political processes, basic services, government institutions and functioning economic – it is assumed that many our greatest challenges, including inequality and conflict, can be reduced or eliminated. However, the terms of this development are fiercely debated. Are states equal, or are some states more equal than others? In this module you will explore some of the most important and foundational questions in politics, international relations and political economy: Is the state a force for good? How do states interact? How do we define development and what sort of values ought to be promoted? Why do we need states at all? You will engage with these questions through key conceptual and theoretical debates, and by engaging in cutting-edge policy debates. This is an introductory module, suitable for entry-level students. No prior knowledge is required.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This introductory module aims:

• To introduce you to key academic concepts that we will build on throughout the politics and international relations course;
• To provide you with a critical understanding of the key theoretical and practical debates and challenges within the field of international politics, international relations, global security, humanitarian aid, emergency and post-crisis transitions;
• To equip you with the tools necessary to analyse and understand the multiple operational contexts and settings within countries of varying development levels.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

• 1. demonstrate knowledge of the major theories and frameworks of international development and international relations in the various subfields examined in oral and written work, and assess their value and limitations;
• 2. evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of international policy with reference to one or more case studies in oral and written work;
• 3. critically apply and evaluate a range of theories about politics to historical and contemporary issues in oral and written work;
• 4. demonstrate an appreciation of the historical factors underlying the evolution of political theory in the context of international relations.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

• 5. use key concepts pertaining to international politics and international relations in oral and written work;
• 6. synthesize and critique a variety of theories and arguments in the field in written work;
• 7. understand the implications of new evidence for a given theory in oral and written work;
• 8. demonstrate an understanding of the different methods of research in the field and their implications for findings in oral and written work.

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

• 9. work independently and in groups, including presentations for class discussion, and in spontaneous discussion and defence of arguments in class, and to manage conflict;
• 10. demonstrate oral and written analytical and organizational skills in essays, group presentations and group discussion;
• 11. present research findings to a variety of audiences, ranging from academics to policy-makers and practitioners;
• 12. complete assignments to a deadline.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover the following: 

• States and Development: What are these? Why do we need them?
• Classical and Neorealist approaches to state interaction (order and development as hegemony)
• The English School and The Anarchical Society (statehood as civilisation)
• Institutionalism and Liberal World Order (inc. ‘(Post-)Washington’ approaches to development)
• The Social Construction of Anarchy and Transnational Advocacy
• Marxism, Structuralism and Dependency
• Poststructuralism: Inside/Outside
• Feminism, Gender and the State
• Postcolonialism and Development
• Global Governance, Human Rights and Democratisation
• Simulation Exercise 

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

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

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

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

J. Baylis and S. Smith, eds, (2010) The Globalization of World Politics [5th Edition]

Desai, Vandana and Potter, Robert B. (eds.). 2002. The Companion to Development Studies.

H. Schwartz (2010) States Versus Markets: The Emergence of a Global Economy [3rd Edition]

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

The electronic resources of the University’s library and the Internet are invaluable to students on this module. Other information portals that may prove useful include:

• ReliefWeb
• Human Security Gateway
• Research4Development

Key words search

International relations, social change, development