Undergraduate Course: Politics in a Changing World: An Introduction for non-specialists (PLIT08012)
Course Outline
School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
Summary | This course introduces students to key concepts and ideas from across the world of politics and international relations. Students will explore a range of issues and concepts such as the state, power, capitalism, democracy, security, and nationalism through a combination of weekly lectures and tutorials. Each week students will interrogate case studies, key concepts, and debates in the literature that situate each topic within the wider context of contemporary politics and international relations.
Students taking this course must not be enrolled in 'Politics and International Relations 1A (PLIT08017)'.
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Course description |
This course offers an introduction to key issues in politics and international relations to non-specialists. It provides a sampling to the types of topics that are typically dealt with in semester-long honours courses in the MA Politics and MA International Relations degrees. The course covers topics that bridge the domestic and international realms and encourages students to reflect on the changing nature of global politics in the 21st century. Key themes from the course may include questions such as: how has the role of the state changed over time; how does power function in global politics; what are the legacies of empire for today; and how has capitalism shaped the modern world.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
Prohibited Combinations | Students MUST NOT also be taking
Politics and International Relations 1A: Concepts and Debates (PLIT08017)
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Other requirements | Students with either Politics or IR in their degree title are not eligible to take this course (they must take PLIT08017 PIR 1A), but students enrolling in this course will have a sufficient foundation for it to count as an equivalent to PLIT08017 PIR 1A should they wish to transfer into a PIR degree. |
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisites | None |
High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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Academic year 2024/25, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 320 |
Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 20,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 13,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
161 )
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Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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Additional Information (Assessment) |
Mid-term essay (1500 words) - 45%
Final essay (2000 words) - 55% |
Feedback |
Not entered |
No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Identify and substantiate key concepts in Politics & IR
- Be familiar with of a set of current global challenges relevant to the discipline.
- Link key issues to their potential political dimensions, and situate them in a wider political context.
- Identify which academic theories help to understand contemporary political issues, and employ them in discussion and debate.
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Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Knowledge of key issues, concepts and theories in politics and international relations.
Critical thinking and analytical skills.
Advanced research skills.
Effective written and oral communication skills.
Global citizenship.
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Special Arrangements |
This course is designed for students wishing to take Politics & IR as an outside option. It replaces 'Politics and International Relations 1A'. |
Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
Course organiser | Dr Benjamin Coulson
Tel:
Email: Ben.Coulson@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr Ewen Miller
Tel: (0131 6)50 3925
Email: Ewen.Miller@ed.ac.uk |
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