ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û

XClose

ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûModule Catalogue

Home
Menu

Introduction to International Relations: concepts and ideas (SESS0082)

Key information

Faculty
Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Teaching department
School of Slavonic and East European Studies
Credit value
15
Restrictions
This is an optional first year module for SSEES BA Politics and Sociology students, BA History Politics and Economics and BA Economics and Business (with East European Studies) students. We will accept first year students from other ÐÂÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûdepartments if spaces are available, particularly first year BASc students on the Societies Pathway.
Timetable

Alternative credit options

There are no alternative credit options available for this module.

Description

COURSE OUTLINE

The module introduces students to the main theories and concepts in International Relations. In particular, this module will cover debates such as Liberalism, (Neo)Realism, Marxism and critical theory, Constructivism and new-constructivism, Gender and IR, Postcolonial approaches to IR, Ethics in IR and the role of theory in IR.

Lectures/tutorials will make extensive use of real-world examples as illustrative examples. Empirical case studies will be used to teach students about the real-life applicability and impact of the different concepts and ideas covered in the course.

COURSE AIMS

The aims of the module are:

  • To introduce a number of theoretical perspectives for understanding events in world politics;
  • To introduce the broad trends in the historical evolution of contemporary international relations;
  • To demonstrate the relationship between world politics and theories of International Relations;

COURSE OBJECTIVES

By the end of this course students should be able to:

  • Identify, describe, understand and critically assess the main theories of International Relations;
  • Understand the global dimensions of politics from a variety of perspectives;
  • Investigate and understand the breadth and diversity of concepts and perspectives in international relations.
  • Use critically concepts and theories when interpreting contemporary issues in world politics;
  • Provide examples of the relationship between theory and practice in world politics;
  • Construct reasoned argument, synthesise relevant information and exercise critical judgement;
  • Work in a team within a tutorial framework to present their views and opinions about different topics in international politics;
  • Use library and media resources to research seminar topics;
  • Grasp what constitutes a well-written, well-researched, and well-argued academic piece of written work.

Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year

Intended teaching term: Term 2 ÌýÌýÌý Undergraduate (FHEQ Level 4)

Teaching and assessment

Mode of study
In person
Methods of assessment
100% Exam
Mark scheme
Numeric Marks

Other information

Number of students on module in previous year
108
Module leader
Dr Aglaya Snetkov
Who to contact for more information
SSEES-PS@ucl.ac.uk

Last updated

This module description was last updated on 8th April 2024.

Ìý