Module Descriptors
CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THEORY
HIPO70382
Key Facts
Faculty of Arts and Creative Technologies
Level 7
30 credits
Contact
Leader: Sita Bali
Email: S.Bali@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 22
Independent Study Hours: 278
Total Learning Hours: 300
Assessment
- COURSEWORK -ESSAY weighted at 50%
- EXAMINATION - UNSEEN IN EXAMINATION CONDITIONS weighted at 50%
Module Details
Module Indicative Content
Kenneth Waltz and neo-realism as a revision of political realism. The neo-realist / neo-liberal debate in relation to the agency-structure problem.
International Political Economy as a sub-field: its character and perspectives. The neo-Gramscian / Robert Cox view of International Political Economy and International Relations. World Society perspectives.
The revival of normative concerns in International Relations. The communitarian / cosmopolitan debate and IR
Critical theory and revisions of IR. Post-modernism and its impact on IR. Gender as a focus, gender perspectives and the study of international relations.
International Political Economy as a sub-field: its character and perspectives. The neo-Gramscian / Robert Cox view of International Political Economy and International Relations. World Society perspectives.
The revival of normative concerns in International Relations. The communitarian / cosmopolitan debate and IR
Critical theory and revisions of IR. Post-modernism and its impact on IR. Gender as a focus, gender perspectives and the study of international relations.
Module Additional Assessment Details
The essay will require you to critically apply conceptual and theoretical insight to analyse one or more theoretical contribution associated with contemporary International Relations. (Outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4)
The examination will test your overall appreciation of the concerns of the module, and your flexibility in applying your knowledge to specified concerns. (Outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4)
Both assessment will look for how you integrate concepts and general themes with detailed research appropriate to the topic chosen giving you every opportunity to demonstrate the general learning outcomes.
A pass is awarded only when all of the assessment is complete and the work meets the learning objectives of the module.
A merit performance in the module will be indicated by an exemplary performance in meeting the learning objectives of the module.
A distinction performance in the module will be indicated by excellence in meeting the learning objectives of the module.
The examination will test your overall appreciation of the concerns of the module, and your flexibility in applying your knowledge to specified concerns. (Outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4)
Both assessment will look for how you integrate concepts and general themes with detailed research appropriate to the topic chosen giving you every opportunity to demonstrate the general learning outcomes.
A pass is awarded only when all of the assessment is complete and the work meets the learning objectives of the module.
A merit performance in the module will be indicated by an exemplary performance in meeting the learning objectives of the module.
A distinction performance in the module will be indicated by excellence in meeting the learning objectives of the module.
Module Learning Strategies
A programme of 11 lectures will provide background knowledge, structure to the module and identify highly significant themes, concepts and theories. 11 tutorial sessions will be used for discussion and debate on substantive issues drawn from the programme and structured weekly by a module handbook. Video presentations will also be made. 278 hours are allocated to self-directed study aided by the handbook and comprehensive reading lists. This time should be used for researching topics and theoretical material, preparing for tutorial discussions and working on the essay required for assessment and preparing for the examination.
Module Texts
S. Smith, K. Booth & M. Zalewski (eds), International Theory: Positivism and Beyond (1996).
Neumann & O. Waever (eds), The Future of International Relations (1997)
J. MacMillan & A. Linklater (eds), Boundaries in Question: New Directions in IR Theory (1995)
Neumann & O. Waever (eds), The Future of International Relations (1997)
J. MacMillan & A. Linklater (eds), Boundaries in Question: New Directions in IR Theory (1995)
Module Resources
Overhead projector and video player.