Postgraduate Course: International Relations Theory (PGSP11156)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The discipline of international relations is a relatively young academic subject, only emerging as a distinct field within political science in the aftermath of World War I. To differentiate itself from the disciplines of international law and history, its intellectual predecessors, international relations has developed a number of theories of the nature of the international and its constituent parts, which seek to explain, understand, judge and even predict international behaviour. These theories are heavily indebted to previously established traditions in political philosophy and social theory and the ways in which they conceive of the nature of the state and decision makers, history, social scientific explanation and the relationship between politics and morality.
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| Course description |
The course is designed to introduce students to the major theoretical and conceptual traditions of international relations as a way to make sense of the complex issues, developments and events constituting the international. The key objective of the course is to introduce students to the most significant orthodox and critical theoretical approaches within international relations. A critical assessment will be made of the principal propositions and arguments of the theories drawn from the diverse traditions of classical realism, neo-realism, neoliberalism, constructivism, poststructuralism, feminism and gender, neo-Marxism and postcolonialism.
Lecture Schedule:
Week 1 The Purpose of IR
Week 2 Liberalism and IR:
Week 3 Realism
Week 4 Neorealism
Week 5 Neoliberalism
Week 6 The English School: Martin Wight and His Successors
Week 7 Marxist / Structuralist Approaches
Week 8 Critical Approaches and Post-structuralism
Week 9 Constructivism and IR
Week 10 Feminist Approaches to IR
Week 11 Revision Session
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2017/18, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 125 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
176 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
The final grade of the course is based upon two assessed essays, one is worth 35% of the mark (1500 words) and the other one 65% of the mark (2500 words). |
| Feedback |
The feedback of the coursework submitted for this class will concentrate on addressing the following question:
a. Does the assignment address the question set, and with sufficient focus?
b. Does the assignment show a grasp of the relevant concepts and knowledge?
c. Does the assignment demonstrate a logical and effective pattern of argument?
d. Does the assignment, if appropriate, support arguments with relevant, accurate and effective forms of evidence?
e. Does the assignment demonstrate reflexivity and critical thinking in relation to arguments and evidence?
f. Does the assignment demonstrate an autonomous research process resulting in an answer moving beyond the common expectations of the lecture?
g. Is the assignment adequately presented in terms of: correct referencing and quoting; spelling, grammar and style; layout and visual presentation? |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Have an understanding of the major theories of International Relations and of the purpose of theory in improving our understanding of the workings of global affairs
- Reflect on the historical development of International Relations theory and the discipline of IR itself since the era of World War One
- Critically engage with the concepts of each of the theories under discussion
- Compare, contrast and critically evaluate the key theories of International Relations
- Develop the necessary skills to write in an informed manner on International Relations theory
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Reading List
Course Text Book: International Relations Discipline and Diversity, Dunne, Kurki and Smith (eds.) (Oxford: OUP, 2007).
We recommend you also buy at least one of the recommended books:
Chris Brown and Kirsten Ainley: Understanding International Relations, 3rd Edition (London: Palgrave, 2005).
S. Burchill, A. Linklater et al: Theories Of International Relations, Latest Edition
John Baylis and Steve Smith (eds): The Globalization of World Politics , Latest Edition
W Carlsnaes, T Risse, Simmons (eds): The Handbook of International Relations (London: Sage, 2005) ¿ for the very committed and serious student. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Oliver Turner
Tel: (0131 6)51 5678
Email: |
Course secretary | Mrs Gillian Macdonald
Tel: (0131 6)51 3244
Email: |
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