Contemporary Theories of World Politics
| Module title | Contemporary Theories of World Politics |
|---|---|
| Module code | POL2020 |
| Academic year | 2021/2 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Stephane Baele (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 225 |
|---|
Module description
This module provides an introduction to, and critical examination of, contemporary theoretical approaches to world politics. The study of conceptual frameworks in International Relations (IR) is important for how it can enhance our understanding of the dynamics of politics, including why and how the political world takes its existing forms. Theory is also the centre of gravity in the field of IR, providing points of collaboration and contestation between scholars on the nature of international political enquiry. The module explores a set of debates that turn around the definition and interpretation of key concepts such as structure, anarchy, power, identity. We will survey the key ‘isms’ of the field, realism, liberalism, constructivism, Marxism and neo-Gramscianism, feminism, poststructuralism and postcolonialism. These will be related to one another historically and conceptually and we will question the perceived distinctiveness of these traditions, by drawing links between them. You are asked to think in an open and critical manner about the purpose of theories of world politics, including understanding the major attributes of each framework and how, most importantly, they can be ‘put to work’ through empirical illustrations. While there are no prerequisites for this module, all IR and/or Political Theory modules at level 1 are highly recommended as disciplinary and methodological training for the subjects covered in this module.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module provides an introduction to, and critical examination of, contemporary theoretical approaches to world politics. The study of conceptual frameworks in International Relations (IR) is important for how it can enhance our understanding of the dynamics of politics, including why and how the political world takes its existing forms. Theory is also the centre of gravity in the field of IR, providing points of collaboration and contestation between scholars on the nature of international political enquiry. On completion of this module, you will have a good understanding of the origins and development of IR as an academic discipline, the way in which theory has shaped this development, and the world-historical events that prompted the development of the theory and the subject itself. The method of the course is broadly contextualist and analytical, inviting you to think about the context of theory development as well as the ways in which theories ‘make sense’ internally and in relation to one another. This module will give you a solid grounding in IR and be of value to all related modules at level 2 and level 3.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of IR theory
- 2. show knowledge of contemporary issues in international politics
- 3. articulate your own ethical and political positions on questions of international politics
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. critically analyse both empirical and theoretical material in international politics
- 5. deploy theoretical arguments and apply them to empirical case studies in international politics
- 6. engage in the critique of theoretical arguments in international politics
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. construct reasoned argument
- 8. communicate effectively in speech and writing
- 9. work independently and with peers to achieve common goals
- 10. use ICT appropriately
- 11. demonstrate the ability to work independently, within a limited time frame, and without access to external sources, to complete a specified task.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:
1. Theorizing international relations
2. National interests
3. Bounded rationality
4. Global economic factors
5. Identities
6. Identities (2)
7. Discourses
8. Colonial legacy
9. Gender
10. IR theories today: a fragmented field
11. Conclusions
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 26.5 | 123.5 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 16.5 | 11 x 1.5 hour lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 10 | 10 x 1 hour tutorials |
| Guided Independent study | 123.5 | A variety of private study tasks directed by module leader and seminar tutors. These tasks may include:- Reading and note-taking in preparation for class (60 hours); Preparation for and completion of examination (40 hours); Essay preparation (conducting research, writing the finished product) (23.5 hours) |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quizzes | Approximately 45mins (for whole cohort) | 1-11 | Verbal comments |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | 67 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | 67 | 1 hour and 30 minutes | 1-10 | Mark and short written comments on request |
| Essay | 33 | 1,500 words | 1-10 | Written comments |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | Examination (1 hour and 30 minutes) | 1-10 | August/September reassessment period |
| Essay | Essay (1,500 words) | 1-10 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Core:
Dunne, T., Kurki, M., and Smith, S. (eds.), International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010).
Recommended:
Baldwin, D. (ed) Neorealism and Neoliberalism: The Contemporary Debate (New York: Columbia University Press, 1993).
Brown, C. and Ainley, K., Understanding International Relations (London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2010).
Carlsnaes, W., Risse, T., and Simmons, B. A. (eds.), Handbook of International Relations (London: Sage, 2002).
Brown, C., Nardin, T., and Rengger, N. J. (eds.), International Relations in Political Thought (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002)
Carr, E. H., The Twenty Years’ Crisis, 1919-1939 (Houndmills: Palgrave, 2001 [1939])
Enloe, C., Bananas, Beaches and Bases: Making Feminist Sense of International Politics (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1989).
Hasenclever, A., Mayer, P., and Rittberger, V., Theories of International Regimes (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1994).
Hollis, M., and Smith, S., Explaining and Understanding International Relations (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1990).
Keohane, R. O., After Hegemony: Cooperation and Discord in the World Political Economy (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1984).
Keohane, R. (ed), Neorealism and its Critics (New York: Columbia University Press, 1986).
Morgenthau, H. J., Politics Among Nations: The Struggles for Power and Peace (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1993).
Roach, S., Critical Theory and International Relations: A Reader (Abingdon: Routledge, 2006).
Waltz, K., Theory of International Politics (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1979).
Wendt, A., Social Theory of International Politics (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999).
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/10/2010 |
| Last revision date | 12/08/2020 |
