Introduction to World Politics and International Relations
| Module title | Introduction to World Politics and International Relations |
|---|---|
| Module code | INT0071 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 12 | 12 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 15 |
|---|
Module description
This module provides a critical introduction to world politics and international relations from the late twentieth into the twenty-first century. The main focus will be to examine both political, cultural and military narratives within and between states, to evaluate the various agencies involved. ‘Power politics’ will also be a central theme with topics which may be covered including the ‘Age of the strongman’ and multilateralism, along with more domestic political themes of identity, nationalism, the ‘Me too’ and ‘black lives matter’ movements. We will also aim to consider the impact of cultural politics, such as soft power, along with increasing pressures from the environment and climate change. Teaching will be given through lectures and seminars and no detailed prior knowledge is needed, but hopefully you will have an enquiring mind and interest into the modern world.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module aims to provide you with a good background to the issues surrounding International relations and an improved awareness of core factors. An important aim will also explore the political tensions within states and between states. The module will develop skills in close reading and using critical analysis to assess the mechanisms to find peaceful resolutions such as intergovernmental organisations and non-governmental organisations, and to assess their impact and effectiveness. Students will also study and apply relevant IR theories to case studies in order to further develop reflective and analytical skills.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate a good general knowledge and understanding of the key issues in world politics.
- 2. Evaluate a range of political factors and show how and/or why states go to war.
- 3. Demonstrate an ability to discuss relationships between social groups, states, intergovernmental organisations and the ways in which they have contributed to recent issues.
- 4. Demonstrate a clear evaluation of linked theory to a case study, to provide a detailed argument about the key issues surrounding conflicts and conflict resolution.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. To a standard appropriate to this level analyse and evaluate materials set for the module.
- 6. To a standard appropriate to this level show awareness of relevant issues in the wider context of culture/intellectual history
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. With tutor support, take responsibility for your own learning and work independently;
- 8. Communicate effectively in a format and using scholarly conventions appropriate to this discipline
Syllabus plan
The syllabus is thematically based so aims to consider political, cultural and military conflict in a variety of regions to assess the impact of international relations in today and over recent decades.
Lead lectures and Case Studies: These will be presented in lecture form and include:
· Key factors into the causes of conflicts across regions
· Evaluation and analysis of (un)successful conflict resolutions
· States; Intergovernmental Organisations; Non-governmental Organisations
· Systems of government: such as Democratic, Republican, Totalitarian
· Nuclear, chemical and biological threats.
· Environmental conflicts
· Terrorism: national and international perspectives
The above will be integrated into the case studies and introduced in the lead lectures to provide a coherent analysis of conflict and resolution.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 90 | 210 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 20 | Formal lecture |
| Seminars | 70 | Group seminar using primary sources |
| Round table debates | Student led case studies | |
| Guided Independent Learning | 210 | Research, reading and preparation for assignment, presentation, exam revision |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Study | Outline and drafts | 2-8 | Written Feedback |
| Essay | Outline and draft | 1-8 | Written Feedback |
| Exam-Style Questions | Various | 1-8 | Written Feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case Study | 20 | 1,000 words | 2,3,4,5, 6, 7, 8 | Written feedback |
| Essay | 30 | 1,500 words | 1-8 | Written feedback |
| Exam | 50 | 2 hours | 1-6, 8 | Written feedback |
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 | Exam (deferral) | 1-6, 8 | As soon as possible, before Exam Board |
| Coursework | See details of summative assessment | 1-8 | As soon as possible, before Exam Board |
| N/A | Exam (referral) | 1-8 | As soon as possible, before Exam Board |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for reasons judged legitimate by the Mitigation Committee, the applicable assessment will normally be deferred. See ‘Details of reassessment’ for the form that assessment usually takes. When deferral occurs there is ordinarily no change to the overall weighting of that assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to take a referral exam. Only your performance in this exam will count towards your final module grade. A grade of 40% will be awarded if the examination is passed.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
J. Bayliss et al, (2023). The globalization of world politics: an introduction to international relations.
Oxford.
D. Zimmerman,D. & Wenger,A. (2022). International Relations; from the Cold War to the Globalized world. Boulder.
Li, Sheng. (2022). Big tech Firms and International Relations: The role of the Nation-State in New forms of Power. Springer.
Murphy, D. and Morris, T. (2008). International Relations 1879-2004.Collins
Wilkinson, P. (2007). International Relations: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford Paperbacks.
Other resources:
Library electronic resources
Web based scholarly articles
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 3 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Last revision date | 01/07/2024 |
