PO1IRE: International Relations

Module code: PO1IRE

Module provider: Politics; School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Amanda Hall, email: amanda.hall@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: No

Last updated: 23 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module introduces students to the academic study of international relations. It examines some of the principal contending theories that inform how academics think about world politics and surveys some of the key dimensions on which international relations have unfolded historically. It aims to provide students with the theoretical and conceptual vocabulary required to understand and think critically about contemporary international relations and to enable students to locate contemporary developments in a historical context and to comment on them in an informed fashion. It thereby provides the underpinnings for more advanced study of a range of more specialised topics in international relations. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Articulate and evaluate the main claims advanced by leading theories of international relations 
2. Employ key concepts such as ‘sovereignty’, ‘war’, ‘international institutions’, and ‘globalization’ in an informed fashion 
3. Describe key aspects of how international relations has developed historically and recognize their contemporary significance 
4. Present ideas and arguments in a coherent and well-structured form 

Module content

The module provides an introduction to leading theories of international relations such as realism, liberalism and institutionalism, constructivism, feminism, and postcolonial and decolonial approaches.  It also explores some of the key dimensions on which international relations has evolved historically, such as sovereignty, war and peace, international institutions, globalization, and human rights. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will be taught through a combination of lectures, which principally serve to introduce core content, and seminars, which provide an opportunity for more in-depth debate and discussion.

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 40% 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.

Reassessment

Additional costs