Postgraduate Course: International Relations Theory (PGSP11156)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Postgrad (School of Social and Political Studies) |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | The course is designed to introduce the student to the major theoretical and conceptual paradigms of international relations and to encourage him/her to apply these critically to international events, developments and issues. 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 traditions of realism/neorealism, the English School of IR, liberalism/neoliberalism, and marxism/ structuralism. Students will also be encouraged to engage with recent theoretical developments such as feminism, critical theory and social constructivism. Furthermore, the course will introduce students to the so called cosmopolitan communitarian debate in IR theory. The course will end by exploring the main propositions of the Ethics of War and students will be asked to identify arguments for and against humanitarian intervention. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Delivery period: 2013/14 Semester 1, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Learn enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
|
Web Timetable |
Web Timetable |
| Course Start Date |
16/09/2013 |
| Breakdown of 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 )
|
| Additional Notes |
|
| Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| No Exam Information |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
1) To introduce students to the major theories of International Relations.
2) To enable students to reflect on the historical development of International Relations Theory since WW1.
3) To introduce students to the purpose of theory in IR.
4) To enable students to critically engage with the concepts of each of the theories under discussion.
5) To inform the students to critically evaluate the theories in comparison and contrast with the other theories of International Relations.
6) To assist the students to develop the skills to write in an informed manner on International Relations Theory. |
Assessment Information
| Students taking this as a core course: two essays of 2,000 - 2,500 words. Students taking this as an optional course: one essay of 4,000 words. |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
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 |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| 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. |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Andrew Neal
Tel: (0131 6)50 4236
Email: Andrew.Neal@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Gillian Macdonald
Tel: (0131 6)51 3244
Email: gillian.macdonald@ed.ac.uk |
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© Copyright 2013 The University of Edinburgh - 13 January 2014 4:54 am
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