| Unit name | Contemporary International Relations |
|---|---|
| Unit code | POLI20002 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Stavrevska |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
This unit provides students with a critical understanding of contemporary world politics. Drawing on a variety of approaches to the study of world politics, it introduces students to key concepts - including security, war, peace, justice, globalisation - and related issues and debates. In doing so the unit equips students with the conceptual tools with which to understand and interrogate contemporary world politics. It also assesses how different approaches to world politics address shared issues such as the causes of conflict, the impact of globalisation on world politics, and the prospects for international cooperation. The lectures and seminars give students the opportunity to assess the relationship between theories and practice of world politics, to engage the central themes of power and representation, and the question of 'who gets what, when and how' in world politics.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This optional 2nd year unit allows students to further build their knowledge of IR theories developed in year 1 and apply that knowledge in understanding and analysing contemporary issues in world politics. At the same time, the unit gives students a broad overview on a variety of critical topics in contemporary international politics, providing them with a solid basis for the more specialised Politics units offered in year 3.
An overview of content
The unit is split into three parts: (1) the first part focuses on the international order, and the question of security, peace, and war within it, as some of the core concerns in international politics; (2) the second part is dedicated to looking at the impact of international norms (including international law), international interventions, and global governance more broadly have on international politics; and (3) the third part delves into some of the most pressing ongoing global issues, such the climate crisis and forced displacement.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Through this unit students will be familiarised with key concepts in world politics and different approaches in studying various IR phenomena, enabling them to develop a critical understanding of some of the most prominent issues in contemporary international politics.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this unit diligent students completing the requirements will be able to:
How you will learn
The unit is taught through a mix of synchronous and asynchronous teaching activities. These include:
- lectures (in-person, with a recording subsequently made available), which introduce the students to the topic of the week, providing essential background information, outlining the theoretical approaches in analysing the topic, and highlighting some of the examples/case studies linking to the topic; - seminars (in-person), which provide an opportunity to discuss the topic of the week more in depth, in a smaller group; - readings (essential and recommended), which help students get a better grasp of the topic; and - online activities to motivate students to think about the real-life applicability and the potential limitations of the existing approaches covered during the week.Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Bullet-point outline of research paper in week 9. Students will receive feedback from their classmates in seminars.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Commentary on a current international politics issue (30%) in week 6 – ILO 1, 2, 3.
The commentary, either in the form of a 1000-word opinion piece or a podcast, would critically assess a current issue in world politics that students have chosen, helping students further develop their analytical and critical thinking skills, as well as their skills of presenting knowledge in different formats and for different audiences. This assessment links to the ILOs 1, 2 and 4: demonstrate an ability to critically analyse and engage with key concepts in the study of world politics, being able to review, explain, and discuss selected contemporary issues in world politics, and develop independent arguments by synthesising a wide range of relevant information and evidence.
Research paper (70%) in the assessment period - ILO 1, 2, 3, 4
For this assignment, students are expected to write a 2000-word paper on a current international politics topic, chosen by the student and approved by the seminar tutor, analysed through the application of different international relations theory discussed in the course of the unit. This assignment, linked to all four of the unit ILOs, is intended to give students an opportunity to apply the knowledge gained through the unit to matters of contemporary world politics. Students are welcome to write their research paper on the same or a different topic from the one covered in the commentary.
When assessment does not go to plan
You will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. POLI20002).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
