Undergraduate Course: Debating International Relations (SSPS08011)
Course Outline
| School | Centre for Open Learning |
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 | Debating International Relations will examine concepts and theories in the study of world affairs and global politics. Debates around concepts such as power and democracy will be considered and theories, including the mainstream approaches of realism and liberalism as well as major critical approaches including feminism and post-colonialism, will also be analysed. Theories and concepts will be discussed in the context of contemporary and historical cases including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cold War, the 2008 global financial crisis, and the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Relevant scholarly frameworks will also be used to make sense of major issues in the study and practice of global politics such as weapons proliferation, humanitarian intervention, and the climate crisis. Through reading for and taking part in tutorial discussions and participatory lectures students will improve their substantive knowledge of the field of IR and related disciplines and develop skills of critical analysis, both of which they will be able to apply effectively in written and discursive contexts. |
| Course description |
This course considers and debates the foundational concepts, actors, and theories of International Relations, applying these to major issues in world affairs. Concepts that will be examined include anarchy, security, cooperation, and discourse. The course will adopt a broad theoretical focus, considering different variants of the 'mainstream' approaches of realism and liberalism as well as 'critical' alternatives including constructivism, feminism, post-colonialism, Marxism, and poststructuralism. Theories and concepts will be explored in the context of important contemporary and historical issues and case studies in world affairs including the control of weapons proliferation, global governance responses to pandemics, human rights, global distributive justice, and the climate crisis.
Each session will intersperse lectures with tutorial activities and discussions. These will develop knowledge and understanding of IR as well as general academic skills and principles of good scholarship.
In order to participate effectively in class discussions and get the most out of each session, students should ensure they have completed the essential reading in preparation for each session. The course material is cumulative with each session building on the content of those that preceded it.
The course consists of lectures and seminars. Lecture classes will be a combination of lecture, followed by small group activities, and ending with a question and answer session. Seminars will be more informal, with more time spent on conversation, class activities and revision.
It is very important to come to class on time and prepared with the readings completed. Students are expected to participate actively during the course and to bring up questions that they emerge during the course. The course material is cumulative, so each class will build on the information from previous classes.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the diverse definitions of key concepts in the study and practice of International Relations.
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of important theories in International Relations.
- Demonstrate knowledge of key events and processes in world affairs.
- Use a range of concepts, theories and empirical evidence to critically assess major current issues and debates in world affairs and International Relations.
- Employ skills of interpretation, argument and critical analysis in both writing and discussion
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Reading List
Baylis, J., S. Smith and P. Owens (2014) (eds), The Globalization of World Politics, 6th ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Brown, C. and K. Ainley (2009) Understanding International Relations. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
Heywood, A. (2014) Global Politics, 2nd ed.. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Knowledge of key issues, concepts and theories in international relations.
Application of theoretical concepts on past developments and contemporary political issues and actor-behaviour.
Critical thinking and analytical skills.
Advanced research skills.
Effective written and oral communication skills.
Global citizenship.
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| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Ms Shona Warwick
Tel:
Email: swarwic2@exseed.ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr John Ethcuit
Tel: (0131 6)50 3409
Email: jethcuit@exseed.ed.ac.uk |
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