International Relations Theory

School: School of Government
Department: 
Department of Political Science and International Studies
Modular Value: 20 credits   

Duration: Term long

Contact hours: 3 hours per week

Lecturers: Kevork Oskanian

This module provides you with an overview of current debates in International Relations Theory, as well as with the knowledge to understand and address those debates. The first part focuses on the critical introduction of theoretical approaches to prepare you for the critical reading of particular examples of theoretical work in International Relations. The second part consists of student-led seminars in which you will present and discuss a current analysis of international politics of your own choice.

The module is primarily aimed at preparing you to conduct independent research and analyses of international politics.

By the end of the course, you are expected to be able to:

  • Understand, summarise and discuss the current approaches to the analysis of international politics
  • Evaluate these approaches with regards to the methodologies they employ and their usefulness for the analysis of particular problems of international politics
  • Analyse a particular problem of international politics from the perspective of one or more of these approaches
  • Present and discuss their work in the field of International Relations with their peers
  • Present and discuss the work of others in the field of International Relations with their peers

Assessment

  • 1000 word book review
  • 3500 word essay