Postgraduate Course: International Relations Theory (PGSP11156)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | 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. |
| Course description |
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
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2014/15, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| 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 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Two essays weighting 40% for the first (1500 words) and 60% for the second (2500 words). |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
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.
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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. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Xavier Guillaume
Tel: (0131 6)50 3937
Email: Xavier.Guillaume@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Gillian Macdonald
Tel: (0131 6)51 3244
Email: gillian.macdonald@ed.ac.uk |
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