IP10720 - KEY CONCEPTS

Module Identifier

IP10720

Module Title

KEY CONCEPTS

Academic Year

2007/2008

Co-ordinator

To Be Arranged

Semester

Intended for use in future years

Next year offered

N/A

Next semester offered

N/A

Mutually Exclusive

GW10720

Course delivery

Lecture

18 Hours. 18 x 1 Hour Lectures

Seminars / Tutorials

8 Hours. 8 x 1 Hour

Other

4 Hours. 4 x 1 Hour Workshops

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment Length/Details	Proportion
Semester Exam	2 Hours Exam	70%
Semester Assessment	1 x 2,000 word essay	30%
Supplementary Assessment	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.	100%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Demonstrate through written work and examination, an understanding of the key concepts necessary to study Politics and International Politics at Part One level.
Apply this understanding to other areas of study
Write essays in an academic context
Use appropriate referencing techniques
Compile a bibliography
Identify and implement appropriate reading strategies

Brief description

The primary aim of the module is to ensure that students are provided with an understanding of the key concepts necessary to study Politics and International Politics at Part One. Lectures and readings will focus on the meaning of principal concepts in the field, their location within a larger perspective, and their application to theoretical and empirical analysis. Students will have the opportunity to develop advanced conceptual skills relevant to the design and development of all the work they will produce in the Department. The module also aims to introduce students to key skills as well as raise awareness of Personal Development Plans.

Content

The module is devised around questioning the idea of `progress?. Topics are grouped in four sections, and after each section a round-table is held to discuss issues arising from the theme.
Change and Progress:   Ideology; History; Progress; The State and European Integration
War and Conflict :   War; Terrorism; Deterrence; Containment
State and System:   Sovereignty; The Westphalian System; Democracy; Nationalism
Rich and Poor:   Colonialism; Globalization; Global Justice; Development

Four seminars will focus on the topics of each section and four on improving student study skills.

The study skills seminars will cover the following topics:

Essential Reading and Note-taking Skills
Seminars and Presentations
Essay writing, Citations and Bibliographies
Exams

Module Skills

Problem solving	Independent project work and problem solving will be one of the central goals of the module; the submission of an essay will require that the student develops independent research skills as well as problem solving skills.
Research skills	The submission of an essay will reflect the independent research skills of the student. The need to locate appropriate research resources and write up the results will also facilitate research skills. Research preparation for a seminar presentation will develop independent project skills.
Communication	Students will be expected to submit their work in word-processed format and the presentation of work should reflect effective expression of ideas and good use of language skills in order to ensure clarity, coherence and effective communication.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4