module specification

The aim of this module is to introduce you to the study of International Relations as an academic discipline, enabling you to understand the development of the international system. You will consider some of the most important theories used in the study of international relations, and examine the development of the Westphalian system, the international political economy, and the role of transnational actors and international institutions.

The module will enable you to identify the key actors in the international system. You will consider the profound changes to the international system in the 20th Century, including two World Wars, the collapse of empires, and the Cold War, followed by the rapid pace and impact of globalisation and the challenges and benefits it created. The latter will include an examination of the current pushback against globalisation from nationalist movements and the possible return of Great Power politics in the 21st Century.

At the end of the module students should be able to make informed judgements about the evolution of the international system, current international affairs, and possible future developments.

Throughout the module students will be encouraged to explore how seemingly separate international relations theories, historical developments, institutional structures and events can impact on, and reflect, individuals’ lived experiences and how we are all part of the international system.

No pre- or co- requisites; The module is available for Study Abroad students

The syllabus will include: An introduction to the International System; The Globalisation (or not) of World Politics; What is Power?; The Competing Paradigms of Realism, Liberalism and Marxism; The Evolution of International Society and the Westphalian System; International History – from World Wars, the collapse of empires, to the Cold War; International Security in the 21st Century; International Political Economy; Local, Regional, National and Trans-national Actors.

A key element of the syllabus will be skills specific, supporting students in developing learning skills for life. The applicability of these skills to enhancing employability will be explored.

All elements of the learning outcomes will be applied throughout the module.

Teaching consists of a weekly lecture followed by a seminar/workshop. Lectures will be interactive, involving a combination of taught lectures, videos and occasional group work. Seminars/workshops will combine a variety of methods including discussion based on pre-set questions.

Blended Learning will be a key component of the module and will present a ‘resource’ of information relative to content and current issues as well as a tool for formative assignments and feedback. Lectures will be supported by additional materials online which will enable students to fully engage with the module, including online tasks, PowerPoint slides, lecture notes, discussion tools, full reading lists, audio-visual /documentary material, and links to first-hand documents and websites. 

Materials for use in class will be posted at least one week in advance online to allow students to prepare and reflect on the subject. Questions for class discussion will be available from the beginning of the module via the Module Booklet available on weblearn, which will include a list of resources students can use to answer the questions and study the subject in greater depth.

The themes are developed to ensure direct relevance to the future employment aspirations of the students; practical application of ‘real world’ situations will give students the opportunity to work in a team and collate and manipulate information; their oral and writing skills will be geared towards ‘diagnostic’ work and analysis, as well as critical writing.

Reflective learning will be encouraged throughout in activities, discussions, lectures, and through assessments. Students will be expected to work together as partners, in co-created spaces, learning from each other and building on their studies.

Upon completion of this module you will be better equipped to:

1. Identify key actors and processes in international system, both historically and in the present day.

2. Gain an understanding of the basic theories of international relations, including Realism, Liberalism and Marxism.

3. Assess and take an informed overview of selected contemporary international developments, including critical analysis of international events, their causes, and the implications.

4. Communicate effectively in speech and writing; use research skills, including the ability to synthesise and analyse arguments and exercise critical judgement from a variety of resources; enhance the capacity to work independently, demonstrating initiative, self-organisation and time-management, as well as co-operating with other students to achieve common goals.

There will be both formative and summative assessments on this module.

Throughout the module, students will be asked in groups to summarise and reflect what they have learned in the seminar on a whiteboard to share with fellow students in the classroom. This is designed to encourage collaborative work and peer feedback to reflect the social dimension of learning, and the importance of developing employability skills.

The summative assessment will be in the form of a poster which will invite individual students to reflect on their place in the international system and how it impacts on their life as global citizens. Students will present their poster during the last week of the module and also submit electronically via Turnitin for grading. The posters will be displayed for all students to share and reflect on. This will enable students to build on many of the skills introduced during the module, in particular the ability to present information in a concise, well-balanced and constructive manner, reflecting on what they have learnt and making use of constructive feedback.

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/8AE62134-0E2A-2DC1-1DD6-2EFC38025A53.html?draft=1&lang=en&login=1