Undergraduate Course: Introduction to International Relations (SSPS07003)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 7 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 10 |
| Home subject area | School (School of Social and Political Studies) |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This course is for HSS International Foundation Programme students only. It is not available to undergraduate students.
This course is designed for students on the HSS International Foundation Programme. It will give students a broad introduction to International Relations and equip students with the skills and knowledge they will need to succeed in a social sciences degree. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2013/14 Block 5 (Sem 2) and beyond, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Learn enabled: No |
Quota: 12 |
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Web Timetable |
Web Timetable |
| Course Start Date |
21/04/2014 |
| Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 12,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 23,
Summative Assessment Hours 1,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
62 )
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| Additional Notes |
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| Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| No Exam Information |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
&· demonstrate a critical understanding of the main theories in IR;
&· reflect on the way structures and agents constitute international relations and world politics;
&· analyse contemporary issues in the light of different theories and the structure/agent relationship; and
&· demonstrate an insight into the debate on and effects of globalisation.
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Assessment Information
Two components:
&· Assessment 1: reflective blog posted by students based on reading. Each student will post 300-400 words once during the course and other students will comment. This will enable comprehension, practice in writing and group interaction. Worth 25% of the total course mark.
&· Assessment 2: 2000 word essay submitted after the course finishes, worth 75% of the total course mark.
To pass, students must achieve a minimum of 40% in the combined mark (and a minimum of 30% in each assessment component).
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Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Week 1
Introducing IR: (i) overview of course; (ii) the historical background; (iii) globalisation.
Week 2
Theories: (i) Realism, Liberalism; (ii) contemporary variants; (iii) Marxist theories of international relations.
Week 3
Theories: (i) Social constructivism; (ii) Poststructuralism; (iii) international ethics.
Week 4
Structures and Agents: War, peace and security. This theme will inform all three tutorials.
Week 5
Structures and Agents: (i) International political economy; (ii) gender; international law; (iii) transnational actors.
Week 6
Key issues: (i) the environment; (ii) terrorism; (iii) nuclear proliferation.
Week 7
Key issues: (i) global trade and finance; (ii) poverty and development; human rights; (iii) humanitarian intervention in world politics.
Week 8
Review; (i) & (ii) continuity and change in international relations; (iii) preparing for the essay.
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| Transferable skills |
This course will enable students to develop skills of critical analysis and the capacity to express ideas and knowledge both in writing and in group discussion. This will be especially helpful in preparing students for first year degree study. |
| Reading list |
Baylis, J., Smith, S., and Owens, P. eds., 2010. The Globalization of World Politics, 5th ed. Oxford: OUP.
Recommended
Lawson, S., 2003. International Relations. Cambridge: Polity.
Web sources
Web sources associated with The Globalization of World Politics
www.oxfordtextbooks.co.uk/orc/baylis5e/
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| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Mr James Mooney
Tel: (0131 6)50 3077
Email: james.mooney@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Dr Caroline Bamford
Tel: (0131 6)50 4322
Email: Caroline.Bamford@ed.ac.uk |
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© Copyright 2013 The University of Edinburgh - 13 January 2014 5:09 am
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