Politics and International Relations

IR5001 - Theories and Concepts in International Relations

Credit Points: 30
Course Coordinator: Dr Ritu Vij

Pre-requisites

N/A

Notes

Successful completion of this course is required for the award of Pg Dip and MSc in IR.

Overview

This course lays the foundations for, explores, and critically analyses the main theoretical paradigms and debates in International Relations, and engages with the complexity of debates on concepts in IR. The theoretical topics to be covered include debates on the international system, cooperation, world order, conflict, development, representation and identity. Students will also be introduced to some of the main debates in epistemology and methodology that apply to the discipline.

Structure

[e.g. 3 one hour lectures (Tue, Wed, Thur at 11) and 1 one hour tutorial (to be arranged) per week]

1 one hour lecture and 1 two hour seminar per week (Times TBA)

Assessment

Continuous assessment (50%), one two-hour written examination (50%).
One two-hour written examination (100%)

IR5508 - Latin America: security conditions and challenges

Credit Points: 30
Course Coordinator: Mervyn Bain and Andrea Oelsner

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

The course will study international, domestic, cultural and ideological factors in contemporary Latin America, and pose analytical, empirical and ethical questions relevant to the region. The course aims to introduce students to the nuances and complexities involved in studying security issues in contemporary Latin America, but also politics and international relations in the region. Its main themes will include narco-terrorism, ‘failed’ and ‘rogue states,’ dependency theory, liberation theology, revolutions, populism and neopopulism, democratisation, debt and globalisation, regional integration, the region’s international relations, and the study of the Latin American subregions.

Structure

1 two hour lecture/seminar and 2 hour tutorial/seminar per week

Assessment

40% in-course assessment, 60% exam

IR5509 - Critical and Human Security

Credit Points: 30
Course Coordinator: Prof Mustapha K. Pasha

Pre-requisites

This course is available only to students at level 5 (Pg5).

Notes

Not running 2013/14

Overview

This course examines critical approaches to security in International Relations in the 21st century. It draws from recent cross-disciplinary interventions in the social sciences to extend the theoretical and substantive range of a largely contested meaning of ‘security’ beyond its conventional state-centric focus. It provides students vital analytical tools to explore state-of-the-art scholarship in contemporary world politics. The first part of the course addresses the limits of militarized notions of power and state security developed in critical approaches including Human Security; Gender, Postcolonial theory; Securitization; Poststructuralism; and International Political Sociology. The second part of the course will be devoted to substantive questions, including environmental security; Homeland Security and the ‘War on Terrorism’; the politics of surveillance; migration and border security; informational warfare; and health security. The course is designed as a seminar with the aim of fostering class participation and discussion.

Structure

1 two-hour seminar.

Assessment

A final exam 40%; Continuous assessment (60%) will take the form of a 7000 word research paper, and a class presentation.

IR5510 - Dissertation In International Relations

Credit Points: 60
Course Coordinator: Dr. Ritu Vij

Pre-requisites

This course is available only to students at level 5 (Pg5).

Notes

For January start students

Overview

An independent research project that offers an original treatment of any theoretical or substantive question within the discipline of International Relations.

Structure

One on one supervision by IR staff assigned to individual students

Assessment

IR5901 - Dissertation in International Relations

Credit Points: 60
Course Coordinator: Dr Ritu Vij

Pre-requisites

120 credits in the necessary courses in the MSc programme

Notes

A performance level in the four taught courses will be imposed before students can proceed to the dissertation.

Overview

Students who meet the necessary requirements proceed to the dissertation. Students select a topic in consultation with the degree convenor that explores in depth some aspect(s) of International Relations. The dissertation is designed to allow students to extend an interest in some aspect of the degree and to have experience in formulating, designing and conducting their own social science research investigation. Students complete a 12-15,000 word dissertation under supervision.

Structure

Independent research under supervision

Assessment

12-15,000 word dissertation worth 100%

IR5902 - Dissertation (MSc in Latin American Studies)

Credit Points: 60
Course Coordinator: Mervyn Bain

Pre-requisites

120 credits in the necessary courses in the MSc in Latin American Studies programme

Overview

Students who meet the necessary requirements proceed to the 12-15,000 word dissertation, which is a compulsory part of the MSc in Latin American Studies. It enables students to pursue in-depth knowledge and original research on a topic of the culture, society, politics or international relations of Latin America, subject to approval of the teaching staff. The dissertation is designed to allow students to extend an interest in some aspect of the degree and to have experience in formulating, designing and conducting their own research investigation. Students will be prepared for this by the core and elective courses of the MSc programme, by one 2-hour seminar of dissertation-writing training, and by individual supervision.

Structure

One two-hour workshop in second half-session, followed by independent research under individual supervision.

Assessment

Dissertation, 12-15,000 words: 100%

PI5001 - Strategic Studies

Credit Points: 30
Course Coordinator: Mr J H Wyllie

Pre-requisites

2nd class honours degree

Co-requisites

None

Notes

None

Overview

This module will consider the contribution of strategy, as the mechanism for the application of power and force, to the pursuit of the national security objectives of states in the international system. Topics will include concepts of strategy, the changing nature of war, concepts of military power, theories of deterrence, limited war, intervention, arms control and disarmament, unconventional war and terrorism, and crisis management. Economic force as a strategic instrument will also be examined.

Structure

12 weeks of 4hours (2 x 2 hour classes). 12 lecture / discussion classes and 12 seminars where team presentations form the basis of class debate.

Assessment

1 in-class 1500 word approx. essay (20%); 1 team presentation (20%); 1 three-hour examination (60%)

PI5014 - Themes in Latin America

Credit Points: 30
Course Coordinator: Andrea Oelsner and Nerea Arruti

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

This course provides an advanced introduction to a variety of topics in Latin American Studies, which will enable students to choose an elective course for the second semester of the MSc lays the groundwork for those elective courses as well as for the dissertation. The course introduces a variety of disciplinary approaches, including those of anthropology, history, literary and cultural studies, and politics and international relations, and through these it illuminates a wide range of issues in Latin America. This course is also available for students of other MSc and MRes programmes, pending approval of the course coordinator.

The course will be divided into two parts:
• An overview of politics and international relations in Latin America
• An overview of cultural and social issues in Latin America

Structure

1 two-hour seminar per week

Assessment

2 Essays (50%).

PI5021 - Qualitative Research Methods in Politics and International Relations

Credit Points: 30
Course Coordinator: Lynne Bennie

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

This course will introduce students to a range of qualitative methods (such as participant observation, qualitative interviewing, and the use of focus groups) and to the secondary analysis of archived qualitative data. The focus will be practical, with students completing mini-projects on which they will give written and oral presentations. The emphasis will be on the research process, from project design to analysis and presentation with methodological issues raised in the context of researchable questions. Issues of reliability, representativeness and validity, and the potential for combining methods will be addressed. As with the other courses, students will be encouraged to link practical assignments to their proposed dissertation topic.

Structure

One two hour session per week

Assessment

One presentation 20%, one peer-reviewed presentation 20%, research report on the use of qualitative methods in own research 60%

PI5022 - Theories and Issues in Political Science and IR

Credit Points: 30
Course Coordinator: Heinz Brandenburg

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

Preparation of MRes students for the conduct of original research also requires them to gain an understanding of the state of the discipline. This is a conceptual course; it introduces to and elaborates on core approaches, concepts and themes in international relations and politics. It offers an integrated overview of the joint disciplines of political science and international relations, covering mainstream approaches and dominant debates as well as key methodological controversies surrounding the study of domestic and international politics. The course covers themes such as rationality, political institutions, political behaviour, justice, democratisation and globalisation, as well as theoretical debates surrounding core paradigms of the discipline such as rational choice, poststructuralism, realism, etc.

Structure

One three hour session per week

Assessment

100% in-course assessment (Literature review essay 10%, 4,000 word essay 80%)

PI5024 - Nuclear Weapons in World Politics

Credit Points: 30
Course Coordinator: Mr J H Wyllie

Pre-requisites

Available only to level 5 students.

Overview

The course will trace and illustrate the salient strategic, technological and political developments and related controversies in the history of nuclear weapons since 1945. In the process the intellectual integrity of the notion of the ‘First’ and ‘Second’ nuclear ages will be tested as will the arguments about the impact of proliferation on world security, the viability of deterrence as the bedrock for security in a multi-nuclear system, and the real dangers posed by the advent of the ‘new terrorism’ and its possible links with WMD. Case studies such as Iranian nuclear policy, and the compatibility of ‘jihadism’ and deterrence, will be considered in detail.

Structure

1 x 2 hours lecture; and 1 x 2 hours seminar.

Assessment

1 x 3 hours examination (60%); 1 x 4,500 – 5,000 word essay (40%).

PI5502 - Global Security Issues

Credit Points: 30
Course Coordinator: Mr J Wyllie

Pre-requisites

2nd class honours degree

Overview

This module will analyse the nature and condition of International security since the end of the Cold War, and consider likely developments. The adaptation of the security policies of the United States and Russia are major elements of the module as are the related, salient security issues in Europe, the Middle East and North Asia. There will also be consideration of security issues in sub-Saharan Africa and in South Asia.

Structure

12 weeks of 4 hours (2 x 2 hour classes). 12 lecture / discussion classes and 12 seminars where team presentations form the basis of class debate.

Assessment

1 in-class 1500 word approx. essay (20%); 1 team presentation (20%); 1 three-hour examination (60%).

PI5514 - Quantitative Methods in Political Science and International Relations

Credit Points: 30
Course Coordinator: Dr Patrick Bernhagen

Pre-requisites

Co-requisites

Notes

For students studying an MRes in Political Studies

Overview

To understand political institutions, attitudes, behaviours and policy outcomes requires the application of concepts and theories to factual information about the political world. This course is an introduction to that endeavour and takes the student from the process of data collection, to measurement issues, and finally to analysis and the interpretation of results. It presents a range of quantitative methods and is designed as a practical introduction to research methods in politics and international relations.

Structure

Three one-hour sessions per week.

Assessment

100% in-course assessment (weekly problem sets, 40%; replication project, 60%).

PI5515 - Political Research Seminar

Credit Points: 15
Course Coordinator: Dr Heinz Brandenburg

Pre-requisites

SL5006 Research Skills (15 credits)

Co-requisites

None

Notes

None

Overview

The content and format is to discuss the various papers written and presented by the participants within the postgraduate seminar group using techniques developed previously on other courses within the MRes in Political Research programme. The seminar is convened by the MRes programme co-ordinator.

Structure

One two-hour seminar per week.

Assessment

Assessment is by means of a written seminar paper submitted in advance which is then presented to the postgraduate seminar group.

PI5516 - Research Design, Data and Presentation

Credit Points: 30
Course Coordinator: Heinz Brandenburg

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

A full understanding of the methodological basis of inquiry into political processes, institutions, behaviour and attitudes is a necessary preparation for MRes students. To this end, the course introduces to a range of important topics with regard to research design: philosophy of science, the nature, value and problems associated with comparative political science, the logic of scientific inference, the interrelationship between theories and methods, the scientific standards of falsifiability, validity, reliability and replicability, and the basic principles of data collection. In addition, the course will familiarise students with a range of available data types (e.g. from surveys, texts, oral accounts, documents or experiments), the selection criteria involved in choosing data for hypothesis testing, as well as general problems of operationalisation, measurement and credibility of data sources.

Structure

One two-hour sessions per week

Assessment

Seminar presentation critique of 2000 words 30%, research design paper 4000 words 70%.

PI5517 - Strategic Nuclear Doctrine

Credit Points: 30
Course Coordinator: Mr J. H. Wyllie and Dr Cheryl Graham

Pre-requisites

Available only to level 5 students.

Overview

The course will trace and illustrate the salient strategic, technological and political developments that have influenced the evolution of strategic nuclear doctrine since the end of the Cold War. The nuclear posture and strategy of each of the world's nuclear powers will be analysed on a case by case basis in order to identify the specific role nuclear weapons play in ensuring or furthering the security interests of these actors. The course will also consider the extent to which specific nuclear doctrines impact or even determine the relationships between states at the international level.

Structure

2 x 2 hour lectures and seminars per week, over 12 weeks.

Assessment

60% examination; 40% essay.

PI5901 - Dissertation in Strategic Studies

Credit Points: 60
Course Coordinator: Mr J H Wyllie.

Pre-requisites

N/A

Overview

Students who meet the necessary requirements may proceed to the dissertation element of the programme. The dissertation comprises a 12 – 15, 000 word analysis of a topic related to the Strategic Studies curriculum and agreed with the programme director. The dissertation allows students to bring knowledge and insights from all the taught units to bear on a single topic. The dissertation will attest to thorough and well-organised research, including primary material where appropriate. It will identify and measure central themes and elements of the topic within a coherent framework. The supervisor’s duties comprise assistance in the selection of the topic and general guidance towards sources, arguments, and the overall structure and presentation of the research, but the dissertation is essentially an exercise in student initiative and self-management.

Structure

Assessment

Students complete a 12 - 15,000 word dissertation under supervision.

PI5904 - Dissertation in Political Research

Credit Points: 60
Course Coordinator: Dr Heinz Brandenburg

Pre-requisites

120 credits in the necessary courses in the MRes programme.

Notes

Students who meet the necessary requirements proceed to the dissertation. The dissertation follows the form of an exploratory project. Students clarify their research questions, review appropriate literatures, present and defend their research strategies and designs, analyse their preliminary findings and produce a written dissertation. Topics are selected by the student in consultation with their supervisor. For students intending to continue to doctorate, the dissertation will be preparation for their doctoral research: a frame within which to clarify the research question, summarise the literature review, summarise and defend the intended data collection methods, give details of necessary access and the like.