Themes & Theories in International Relations - POL00031M
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2025-26 |
Module aims
This module enables students to understand, explain, critique, contemporary international politics. The module examines key approaches to critical international relations theory and applies them to help us understand how international politics is organised and practiced today. The module focusses on what key historical events tell us about the formation of the international system and how IR theory has attempted to make sense of the world. Rather than focussing on an overview of different IR theories (Realism, Liberalism, Constructivism etc) we will explore key historical processes and structures (empire, slavery, imperialism, capitalism, decolonisation) and how they have been understood by leading scholars, intellectuals and social movements. In this way, the module introduces students to a range of contemporary issues in international politics (sovereignty, mobility, climate change), through an engagement with critical and historically marginalised perspectives.
Module learning outcomes
Students will develop a detailed understanding of competing theoretical perspectives in International Relations and an important awareness of the relationship between theory, context and practice and the contingency of knowledge claims about international politics.
Module content
Week 1: Introduction: History and myths in International
Relations.
Week 2: Empire 1. Colonialism, Racism and
Modernity
Week 3: Empire 2. Capitalism and the Geopolitics of
Inequalities
Week 4: Imperialism and the Liberal World Order
Week 5: Decolonisation and Anti-Colonial Resistance
Week 6: Third
Worldism and Neoliberal Counter Revolution
Week 7: Feminism,
Inequality and resistance
Week 8: The Decline of US Imperialism
and Multipolarity
Week 9: The Resurgence of Fascism?: The Far
Right Under Late Capitalism
Week 10: Climate Change and the End
of IR?
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100.0 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100.0 |
Module feedback
Students will receive written timely
feedback on their formative assessment. They will also have the
opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s
feedback and guidance hours.
Students will receive written
feedback on their summative assessment no later than 25 working days;
and the module tutor will hold a specific session to discuss feedback,
which students can also opt to attend. They will also have the
opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s
regular feedback and guidance hours.
Indicative reading
Brown, Chris and Kirsten Ainley (2009) Understanding International Relations. Fourth Edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Dunne, Tim, Milja Kurki and Steve Smith (eds) (2013) International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity. Third Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Sterling-Folker, Jennifer (ed) (2013) Making Sense of International Relations Theory, Second Edition. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner.