Global Perspectives on International Relations
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| PHIR4013 | Politics and International Relations | 4 | 20 | Autumn Malaysia |
- Code
- PHIR4013
- School
- Politics and International Relations
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn Malaysia
Summary
The post-Cold War, post-9/11 world order is characterised by the threat and disordering force of new insecurities, and by new measures and technologies of securitisation; by new forms of confrontation and violence, and by new forms of cooperation and integration; by crisis and by growth. Whilst it might be possible to agree on the significance of these events, the explanation and/or understanding of them is dependent on prior theoretical choices. This module is designed to introduce students to the diversity of theoretical and conceptual approaches within IR Theory, as well as to encourage students to critically apply these perspectives to international events, issues and developments. Student will study both the most significant orthodox and critical theoretical approaches within IR Theory, and become familiar with the key concepts that inform these theories. The focus is on both modern Western and non-Western approaches to IR Theory. The overall aim of the module is to provide students with a solid theoretical and conceptual grounding of this diversity. As a result, it will be possible to recognise not only how international theory informs policy-making and practice but also, perhaps, how truly contested the underlying assumptions of world politics are.
Target Students
MA in IR PHIR
Classes
- One 2-hour seminar each week for 11 weeks
- One 1-hour lecture each week for 11 weeks
Assessment
- 25% Coursework 1: 1000 words literature review
- 75% Coursework 2: 4000 words essay
Educational Aims
to deliver a module that complements the other elements of the degree programme; To introduce students to the purpose and significance of theory in IR; * to familiarise students with the range of major theoretical perspectives in IR, and with contemporary literatures and debates within this field; * to develop students’ appreciation of the strengths and weaknesses of competing approaches, enabling them to critically compare, contrast, apply and challenge these theories; *to enable students to critically engage with the key concepts informing each of the different IR approaches; *to develop students’ understanding of the interdisciplinary character of International Relations (Theory).Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes:
i) Knowledge and understanding:
*understanding of the key thinkers and major theoretical perspectives of International Relations;
*understanding of and ability to engage and apply key concepts such as power, resistance, politics and order in relation to different International Relations theories;
*appreciation of the complex relationship between theory and practice.
ii) Intellectual skills:
*ability to demonstrate understanding of the scope and variety of IR Theory, covering both conceptual considerations and a range of different approaches;
*ability to evaluate the political assumptions and implications of competing ideas and claims in IR Theory;
*ability to critically engage with and reflect upon the nature and significance of theory.
iii) Professional/Practical skills:
*ability to absorb and critically evaluate large quantities of text and complex ideas; and to express these in a structured and concise manner both orally and in writing (to be assessed by a seminar presentation and two 3000-word essays);
*ability and confidence to discusses abstract theoretical concepts and issues; and to contextualise these debates in relation to empirical examples (to be practiced in seminar discussions).
iv) Transferable & Key skills:
*communication and presentation skills: ability to focus on core points and to speak freely on the basis of a set of notes;
*writing skills: ability to write a theoretically informed, well-researched and well-argued longer piece of work (to be assessed by two 3000 -word essays);
*analytical, creative and transversal thinking.