Module Catalogue 2024/25

POL8006 : Theories of International Relations

POL8006 : Theories of International Relations

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Hanna Ketola
  • Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The aims of the module are to:
- Understand and critically assess key theories of international politics;

- Place theories of international politics into their historical contexts and link them to broader issues of power, inequality, identity, and conflict;

- Examine how theories produce different worlds, understandings of the international, and visions of order

- Provide guidance on how theories of international politics can be employed to examine substantive topics and contemporary issues

Outline Of Syllabus

The module will cover a range of topics, that may include:

-What is international politics?
-What is a theory (of international politics)?
-Empire, Race, Class, and the Origins of IR Theory
-Theories of Imperialism
-Feminist approaches
-Realisms
-Postcolonial Theory
-Rational Choice and Deterrence Theories
-The English School
-Liberal Institutionalism and Interdependence
-Dependency and World Systems Theories
-Constructivism
-Poststructuralism
-Critical Theory
-International Political Sociology
-Emotion and Affect Theories
-Quantum Theory and International Politics
-Aesthetic Theory and International Politics
-Practice Theory
-Assemblage Theory
-New Materialism
-Actor-Network-Theory
-Popular culture and world politics

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Upon completion of the module, students should have:

-An advanced understanding of what theories are and what they do in international politics;

-An advanced ability to connect theories of international politics to practice

-An advanced capacity to critically compare, contrast, contextualise, and assess different theories of international politics;

-An advanced ability to identify the political underpinnings of theories of international politics

-An advanced capacity to apply theories of world politics to substantive issues and contemporary topics through verbal and written forms of communication

Intended Skill Outcomes

On completion of the module, students should have developed:

-Cognitive Flexibility
-Communication Skills
-Critical thinking skills
-Intellectual skills
-Interpersonal and Communication
-Management of learning
-Planning and Organisation Skills
-Self-management/resilience

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion1178:00178:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching112:0022:00PiP
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

In the seminars key terms, approaches, concepts, and texts in the study of international relations will be introduced and discussed.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay1M1004,000 words
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The Essay will assess the ability of students to: connect theory to practice; explain what theories do in international politics; and apply theories of international politics to substantive issues/contemporary topics. The Essay will further assess the ability of students to critically compare, contrast, contextualise, and assess different theories of international politics alongside their knowledge of what theories are, what they do, and how to identify the political underpinnings of theories of international politics.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

Welcome to Newcastle University Module Catalogue

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Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.