Gwybodaeth Modiwlau

The core module of the MScEcon International Politics programme provides an in depth specialization in International Relations Theory. In addition to providing a detailed understanding of rival perspectives and the concepts that distinguish them, it poses the question of whether it is possible to overcome the main disagreements between these perspectives. Students are expected to reflect on epistemological, political, and moral implications of studying contemporary world politics from various theoretical perspectives.

The module is taught by two hour seminars. During the course of the module, students are expected to take part in both large and small group discussions, present and defend their ideas within an academic setting, and participate in group projects. Those pursuing the Research Training (RT) stream will find that there is plenty of discussion in this module of methodological and epistemological issues that link to their wider research training programme. All students will find that discussion of these issues will be relevant to research towards the dissertation.

This module examines critically a wide range of theoretical arguments, based on a veriety of standpoints, about contemporary world politics by focusing on a set of key concepts which shape world political practices and debates about them: history anarchy, sovereignty, power, peace and war, war and justice, global duties, and 'under-development'. There will be an introductory meeting in which we explore what may be meant by 'theory' and in the concluding meeting we examine the linkages between 'ideology', 'theory' and 'history' in the study of world politics. It is hoped that the module will shed new light on a subject that is often protrayed as a series of rival schools of thought or incommensurable 'isms' by breaking down some of the boundaries around which the stuff of International Relations has been organised.

Throughout the teaching and the assessment of the module the students will develop a range of transferable skills. The module will require the use of IT skills and general research skills in order to identify and search for appropriate data and sources. Students will also develop: critical thinking; rational argumentation strategies; logical thinking; writing skills; reading strategies; note-taking; report writing; presentational skills; and skills related to working in groups.

15 ECTS credits