1. DEMONSTRATE A SYSTEMATIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND DEBATES REGARDING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF DIPLOMACY, LAW AND GOVERNANCE IN ECONOMIC; SECURITY; AND HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES AT THE GLOBAL, INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL LEVELS.

Knowledge & Understanding

2. DEMONSTRATE DETAILED KNOWLEDGE OF THE SIGNIFICANCE AND OPERATION OF KEY ORGANIZATIONS AND NON-STATE ACTORS AT A GLOBAL AND REGIONAL LEVEL.

Analysis, Enquiry

3. DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING AND CRITICAL AWARENESS OF THE EXTENT OF THE DUAL PROCESSES OF GLOBALISATION AND REGIONALISM AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO.

Analysis, Problem Solving, Research

4. DEMONSTRATE AN AWARENESS AND CRITICAL ENGAGEMENT WITH CONTEMPORARY ISSUES RELATING TO GOVERNANCE AND ITS EFFECTIVENESS.

Analysis, Application, Enquiry

5. DEMONSTRATE AN ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS USING HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY EXAMPLES.

Communication

The participation grade encourages engaged and consistent learning. This builds up subject-knowledge as well as enhancing communication and analysis skills. You are expected to post a 500 word answer to the week’s set question. The participation grade is worked out on the number of these you do each week and how well you engage with the posts of others. [learning outcomes 1 and 5]

1 x 2000 word policy brief will require students to distil complex information into a short, well-structured document that can be absorbed by practitioners and policymakers. It aims to stimulate students to engage in an integrative approach between analysis, enquiry, knowledge, and problem-solving.¿ [learning outcomes 2,3,4&5].

1 x 3000 word essay (60%) is designed to enhance practical research skills (problem-solving and application). It will also require an in-depth study of an area of intelligence studies (enquiry; knowledge and understanding and research, analysis, application, communication) [learning outcomes 1 -5)

International Relations since the end of the nineteenth century has become increasingly institutionalized and interconnected. International organizations and regimes now govern very many key issue areas at the global, international, and regional levels bringing a degree of stability and predictability to international affairs. International organizations and governance are the result of diplomatic processes and are constituted in international law. This module therefore starts by ensuring students have a good understanding of the history, functions, and characteristics of both international diplomacy and law, and their contribution to international security. It then examines key international organizations and their governance of economic, security and rights issues at both the global and regional levels, spending a week on the European Union in particular. Students will study the governance of the nuclear threat and other policy issues of contemporary concern.

International Relations since the end of the nineteenth century has become increasingly institutionalized and interconnected. You will be critically assessing the extent and significance of that institutionalization by examining diplomatic processes, international law and governance. You will also be examining key international organizations and their governance of economic, security and rights issues at both the global and regional levels, spending a week on the European Union in particular. Finally, you will study the governance of the nuclear threat and other policy issues of contemporary concern.

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 material, (delivered on Blackboard) which provides the framework and focus for reading key texts and papers and undertaking specific set tasks. 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 a discussion board.

Hamilton and Langhorn (2013) The Practice of Diplomacy (London: Routledge)

Bjola and Kornprobst (2018) Understanding International Diplomacy: Theory, Practice and Ethics, 2nd edition, (London: Routledge)

Malcolm N. Shaw (2022) International Law, 9th edition, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press)

Thomas G. Weiss and Rorden Wilkinson (2018) International Organization and Global Governance (London: Routledge)

Kelly-Kate S. Pease (2019) International Organizations: Perspectives on Global Governance (London: Routledge)

Karn and Mingst, (2015) International Organizations: The Politics and Processes of Global Governance, 3rd edition, (US: Lynne Rienner)

Clive Archer (2014) International Organisations, 4th edition (London: Routledge)

Students will need a computer and regular internet in order to access Blackboard, the electronic reading list and the e-resources of the University Library.