Politics MA(SocSci)/LLB/MA
Politics 1B: Introduction to International Relations POLITIC1002
- Academic Session: 2024-25
- School: School of Social and Political Sciences
- Credits: 20
- Level: Level 1 (SCQF level 7)
- Typically Offered: Semester 2
- Available to Visiting Students: No
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
Short Description
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the theory and practice of International Relations (IR). The course will help students develop a critical understanding of the main actors and issues at the global stage, the nature of current military and non-military global challenges, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of competing theoretical attempts to conceptualise global politics.
Timetable
Lectures: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (3 lectures a week for 10 weeks)
Tutorials: Weekly tutorials for 9 weeks (starting on week 2)
Excluded Courses
None
Co-requisites
None
Assessment
Knowledge and skills exercises (15%)
1st essay 1200 words (35%)
2nd essay 2000 words (50%)
Course Aims
To examine critically different approaches to understanding international relations; identify the most important actors in international politics; identify the most important international institutions framing international politics; explore the most pressing problems confronting international politics today.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
■ acquire a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the main International Relations theories and concepts;
■ identify and evaluate the role of the main actors, institutions and processes of global politic
■ assess the range, nature, causes and responses to contemporary global challenges;
■ demonstrate the ability to think about global politics in a critical and theoretically informed manner.
Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits
Completion of all summative assessment. Achievement of a minimum of Grade D3.