PIM63: International Relations Theory

Module code: PIM63

Module provider: Graduate Institute for Politics and International Studies

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Harmonie Toros, email: h.toros@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 23 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module introduces students to the study of International Relations through a survey of the principal theoretical approaches employed in the academic discipline of International Relations. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the main theories of International Relations;
2. Demonstrate the ability to critically examine and evaluate competing theoretical arguments and to reach and defend clear conclusions about their strengths and weaknesses;
3. Demonstrate the ability to critically examine the contemporary international order through the lens of these theories;
4. Apply various theoretical approaches to explain and understand key events and developments in world politics.

Module content

• Realism and Liberalism  
• Neorealism 
• Neoliberal institutionalism and the ‘liberal’ international order  
• Constructivism  
• Marxism and Critical Theory  
• Global Environmental Governance  
• Feminism, LGBTQ, Post-structuralism  
• Post-colonialism and Non-Western IR Theory 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The course is organised on the basis of weekly two-hour seminars. Except for week 1, which is a business meeting and includes an introductory lecture, the seminars will consist of an interactive discussion of the course readings, led by the course convener, and/or a short interactive lecture. The second part of the seminar centres on the student presentation, followed by subsequent discussion co-led by the presenter and course convener. Additional resources will include brief videos that will be available online.

Study hours

At least 22 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Oral presentation: Except for week 1, the seminars will consist of a student presentation on each topic, followed by discussion led by the course convener. Presentation topics will be allocated at the business meeting in week 1. Students will present for 10-15 minutes. Presenters should come prepared with at least 2 discussion questions for the seminar and will be expected to take a leading role in that week’s conversation.  

Reflective Log: Part of thinking about which theories of international relations you find most persuasive may include thinking about the theory or theories you are likely to use in your final dissertation. Students are encouraged to keep a reflective log over the course of the term in which they note down their thoughts on each theory and the ways that it could potentially be used in examining a topic that they may write about in your dissertation.  

Reassessment

Additional costs