| Unit name | Contemporary International Relations |
|---|---|
| Unit code | SPAI20004 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Benoit Pelopidas |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
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 War, Peace, Security, Globalization and Justice - and related issues and debates. In doing so the unit will equip students with the conceptual tools with which to understand and interrogate the nature of contemporary world politics. It also assesses how different approaches to world politics address shared issues such as the causes of conflict, the nature of the contemporary world order, the impact of globalization on world politics and the prospects for international cooperation. The lectures and seminars give students the opportunity to assess the relationship between theories and practices 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.
Aims:
As can be evaluated via the unit assessment, by the end of this unit students will be able to:
a) Demonstrate an ability to critically analyze key concepts in the study of world politics.
b) Review, explain and discuss selected contemporary issues in world politics
c) Critically evaluate theoretical approaches to the study of world politics
d) Apply and evaluate theories and concepts in relation to contemporary issues in world politics
e) Develop independent arguments by synthesising a wide range of relevant information and evidence
f) Engage critically with key themes raised by the unit including: the relationship between power and representation in world politics; the role of the state as an actor in world politics; and the role of theories and concepts in comprehending the nature of contemporary world politics
1 x 2 hours of lectures and 1 hour seminar
3000 Word Essay (100%) (Summative Assessment)*
The essay questions for the unit will be specifically designed around cross-cutting thematic issues covered by the unit as a whole – see intended learning outcomes e) and f) above.
The essay questions will combine conceptual, theoretical and empirical components, allowing for the assessment of intended learning outcomes a), b), c) and d) above. The essay questions will be specifically designed to encourage students to apply and critically evaluate conceptual and theoretical frameworks for understanding the nature of contemporary world politics with reference to specific empirical issues and cases, and to synthesize information and evidence from across the unit as a whole – see intended learning outcome e – in order provide this critical engagement.
