This module introduces students to key concepts in contemporary international studies. All concepts are crucial to our understanding of recent history and current events at an international level. The module will consider the problems of definition, the historical background and evolution of the concepts and finally the application of the concepts by historians and scholars of the contemporary world. A heavy emphasis will be put on epistemology; how does our understanding of the modern and contemporary world improve when we think conceptually, and what are the pitfalls or limitations of the concepts we can deploy?

The essay will require you to apply conceptual and theoretical insight to historical or contemporary material specific to the course. [Learning Outcomes 1-4]

The participation grade ensures you get credit for the work you do on the weekly discussion board. The more you engage, the higher your participation grade will be [meets learning outcomes 1,2,3]

The main focus will be on self-instruction, within a tightly structured framework and relying largely (but not exclusively) on materials supplied. Week by week you will work through self-instructional course materials (delivered via blackboard) which provides a framework and focus for reading key texts and papers and undertaking specific tasks as set. This work will be undertaken on an individual basis but at various points you will be expected to interact and share material with other students in your learning group and your tutor (via blackboard).

1.DEMONSTRATE A SYSTEMATIC UNDERSTANDING OF KNOWLEDGE WHICH IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES.

Knowledge & Understanding

2.DEMONSTRATE A CRITICAL AWARENESS AND EVALUATION OF CURRENT RESEARCH, ADVANCED SCHOLARSHIP AND CONTEMPORARY PROBLEMS REGARDING INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AND THE CONCEPTS USED WITHIN THAT DISCIPLINE.

Analysis

3. DEMONSTRATE ORIGINALITY IN THE APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE, TOGETHER WITH A PRACTICAL UNDERSTANDING OF HOW ESTABLISHED AND METHODICAL APPROACHES TO INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY ARE USED.

Application

4. DEMONSTRATE AN ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE RESEARCH, HISTORICAL INTERPRETATIONS AND EXPLANATIONS TO SPECIALIST AND NON-SPECIALIST AUDIENCES.

Communication

A computer for accessing Blackboard, websites and electronic journals. Course texts and course pack.

Emma Kuby, Political Survivors: The Resistance, the Cold War, and the Fight against Concentration Camps after 1945, 2019
Alexander Hill, The Red Army and the Second World War, 2016
Claire Lemercier and Claire Zalc, Quantitative Methods in the Humanities: An Introduction, 2019
Priya Satia, Empire of Guns: The Violent Making of the Industrial Revolution, 2018