Introduction to International Relations (L2008)
Introduction to International Relations
Module L2008
Module details for 2024/25.
15 credits
FHEQ Level 4
Module Outline
This course introduces students to the academic study of international relations. The course outlines the specific characteristics of International Relations (IR) as a distinct scholarly discipline, separate from other disciplines such as politics or sociology. The course considers what has defined IR as a discipline and what constitutes its core conceptual and methodological coordinates at the present time. The course approaches these questions through a consideration of the historical development of IR through a series of conceptual and methodological debates. Classically these debates are conceived of as tracing a path from idealism via realism to a pluralist methodological position. Understanding these debates, the circumstances that have given rise to them, and the methods they have generated will give students a good orientation in the disciplinary terrain of IR that will help them in contextualizing the ideas they will encounter in the international theory courses in Years 1 and 2.
Module learning outcomes
Understand the reasons for IR as a separate social science.
Develop an initial understanding of the main IR paradigms and subfields.
Understand the relationship between theory and practice in IR.
Produced, in an academically acceptable manner, an essay in which they have demonstrated the ability to write about theoretical issues in International Relations.
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Essay (1000 words) | Semester 1 Assessment Week 2 Mon 16:00 | 50.00% |
| Coursework | 50.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Essay | T1 Week 8 | 100.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Semester | Seminar | 1 hour | 11111111111 |
| Autumn Semester | Lecture | 1 hour | 11111111111 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
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