Module Identifier IP34520  
Module Title CONFLICT AND COOPERATION IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS  
Academic Year 2005/2006  
Co-ordinator Dr Graeme A M Davies  
Semester Semester 1  
Course delivery Lecture   (18 x 1 hour)  
  Seminars / Tutorials   (8 x 1 hour)  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam2 Hours  70%
Semester Assessment 1 x 2000 word essay  30%
Supplementary Exam Students may, subject to Faculty approval, have the opportunity to resit this module, normally during the supplementary examination period. For further clarification please contact the Teaching Programme Administrator in the Department of International Politics. 

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this module students should be able to:

- Discuss the major theoretical positions that explain state behaviour.
- Assess what evidence exists to support the theories.
- Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of rational choice theories.
- Relate the theoretical developments to actual international events.

Brief description

This module provides an examination of the factors that influence the likelihood of a state engaging in an international conflict or cooperating with its neighbours.

Content

This module begins by defining what is meant by conflict and cooperation. The course will examine the main theoretical positions that determine whether states will cooperate or engage in conflict. The course will cover areas such as Balance of Power theory, Power Transition theory, Enduring Rivalries, the Democratic Peace Proposition, Diversionary War as well as Globalisation and Armed Conflict. The course will also address the role of international regimes and how cooperation can evolve. Students will then move onto investigate a set of case studies, such as the Iran-Iraq War and evaluate how well these theories explain the events that took place. Finally the students will examine how good these theories are at explaining future conflicts, with particular reference to September 11th.

Aims

The aim of this module is to examine a range of theoretical positions about international conflict and cooperation.

Transferable skills

Students taking this module will have the opportunity to develop and practice a wide range of transferable skills. The lectures will allow students to develop listening and note taking skills. Preparing for seminars will allow students to develop their reading, note taking and analytical skills. Seminar discussions will help students to develop their listening, explaining and debating skills, as well as teamwork and problem solving. The essay which the students will write will encourage them to develop their independent research, writing and IT skills. The examination will test student'r analytical and writing skills under time constraints.

Reading Lists

Books
Daniel S Geller and David J Singer Nations at War
Bruce M Russett and John R O'Neal Triangulating Peace: Democracy, Interdependence, and International Organizations.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6