Political Theory and International Affairs (P02184)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : SPS-P-P02184

It will equip students to apply the concepts and methods of political theory in the critical analysis of normative issues in international relations.

Indicative topics include: the concept of a human right; global distributive justice; norms regulating international governance; environmental ethics across borders; national self-determination and secession; immigration, alienage and citizenship; history of international political thought.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Students will be expected to have some familiarity with political theory/political philosophy.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Postgraduate (School of Social and Political Science), (School of Social and Political Science, Schedule J)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 20 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
22/09/2008	14:00	16:00	Seminar Room 6, Chrystal Macmillan Building	Central	Further details on www.sps.ed.ac.uk/gradschool when available

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Tutorial	Monday	14:00	15:50	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Aims
The course aims to provide core elements of the knowledge, understanding and intellectual methods which the Degree as a whole is intended to provide. Specifically, it will enable students to:
- identify and analyse the normative issues arising in the sphere of global social, economic, political and security relations;
- understand how to apply, and where necessary amend, existing resources of political theory in analysis of political issues beyond the horizon of the nation state;
- evaluate policy in international affairs from the standpoint of normative principle;
- assess critically how existing international institutions meet, or fail to, determinate normative standards.
A further aim is to prepare students for their dissertation by developing the requisite skills of formulating research questions, planning and executing research, and presenting findings.