International Relations

Why should we study International Relations? In this module, you’ll get the grip of what International Relations is (IR). You’ll examine the ‘great debates’ in IR - like who is IR for? What is it meant to do? And how do we know when it is successful? Is IR theory a way of looking at diverse societies across the world? Or has it changed? And how have events like 9/11, decolonisation and the dawn of the Nuclear Age challenged our understanding of IR?

You’ll examine why IR theory is a key to understanding international relations. You’ll ask whether International Relations is just about explaining facts. And you’ll explore whether our subjective moods and feelings influence IR. You’ll gain valuable critical skills, as you consider the relationship between theory and practice.

You'll look at the development, application and realities of different research methods in the social sciences. You'll equip yourself with the understanding and skills required to analyse research methods, design, processes and research outcomes. You'll study the methods that social scientists use to gather and analyse ‘data’ or evidence, and evaluate and compare these methods. You'll study the ways that research methods are applied in practice, by drawing upon existing examples of research in social sciences.

You'll also learn how to design their own research project, in preparation for your third-year extended project work. In so doing you'll carefully explore what is appropriate and achievable for your undergraduate research project.

How do we govern the world, when it’s no longer dominated by states and national governments? How do different types of migration shape the movement of people across the world? In this module, you’ll get to understand the key part of international relations - borders and solidarities (groups with a common identity or interest). You’ll explore the various forms of borders and solidarities, including:

• movements across national boundaries
• regional organisations
• trade agreements.

You’ll link them to key forces and events, such as:

• NGOs
• corporations
• colonisation
• refugee movements
• the migrant ‘crisis’.

You’ll gain valuable practical and professional knowledge, as you explore major issues today, and how global governance or migration shape our lives.

What is security? How can we achieve it? And who should provide it? In this module, you’ll dive into key debates on security, and its definitions. You’ll join policy makers, academics and civil servants as you discuss fundamental issues of security. You’ll explore the different ways we look at security, and the things it protects, for example:

• The nation-state
• The environment
• The economy
• A ‘way of life’.

You’ll also look at the implications of security on peace and current global conflicts, as well as everyday violence and exclusion.

This module gives you the chance to research a topic that fascinates you. With support from a supervisor, you’ll choose, plan and carry out your independent research, gaining in-depth knowledge of your subject. Student projects have included subjects like:

• Is democracy failing in Eastern Europe?
• Did Putin solve Russia’s governance problems?
• Authoritarianism and political stability in North Korea

You’ll build great project management and research skills, which will help you in your future career.

In this module, you’ll get to know the global economy. You’ll investigate how economics and politics shape world affairs in both trivial and profound ways.

In part 1, you’ll gain a strong knowledge of the history of the world economy. You’ll develop key analytical skills, as you explore competing explanations of how it functions. You’ll gain the tools you need to understand the economy’s recent changes.

In part 2, you’ll dig into key debates on how the global economy functions today, including:

• Finance
• Global production
• Trade and international development
• The relationship between the global economy and the environment.

This module aims to begin to develop Pre-Master’s students’ academic reading, research and critical thinking skills in preparation for postgraduate study and to support the development of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) literacy skills.

The three main purposes of the module are to:

1. begin to develop academic reading skills to prepare for postgraduate study in the UK
2. to begin to develop skills in locating, evaluating and using appropriate sources with appropriate citation, and
3. to begin to develop the skill of responding critically to the content and context of reading.

In this module you'll look at and analyse governmental and political institutions in Europe. You'll cover policy-making, the participatory process and contemporary issues in European politics, with a focus on comparative study as well as the process of regionalisation. You'll examine:

• The evolution of democracy and citizenship in Europe
• Parties, party systems and elections in Europe
• The EU and theories of European integration
• Regional nationalism and sub-state governance in Europe
• The unique challenges facing post-communist Europe
• The rise of populist nationalism in Europe
• The politics of migration in Europe
• The European welfare state
• The impact of global challenges on European politics.

This module offers the opportunity to study abroad, experience a new culture, and apply your skills in different contexts to enhance your employability. It will help you develop self-management, cross-cultural communication, and interpersonal skills.

You’ll receive support to secure a place at a partner institution abroad, where you can choose modules related to your degree or explore new areas that complement your studies.

Studying at an international university will help you enhance your interpersonal skills through cross-cultural communication with students and tutors, allowing you to build lasting relationships. You'll also improve your study skills by focusing on your chosen areas of interest, gaining valuable international experience that will strengthen your CV.

This year abroad module lasts for one academic year and is taken after the conclusion of your second year of study, once you’ve completed all your level 5 studies. Your year abroad is not credit-bearing.

The Independent Study Module gives you the opportunity to explore a legal topic in greater depth, working closely with an academic whose research interests align with your chosen area. It allows you to investigate issues that go beyond the taught curriculum and develop expertise in a subject that reflects your interests and future ambitions.

You'll build advanced research, analysis and academic writing skills as you engage with legal scholarship, case law and contemporary debates. Students on our named pathways complete their project within their area of specialism, providing an opportunity to deepen their knowledge and showcase their expertise.

Whether you're considering postgraduate study, legal practice or another professional path, the module enables you to pursue an area you're passionate about while developing the independent learning skills valued by employers and researchers alike.

This module is compulsory if studying one of the named pathways.

You'll embark on the second of three action-orientated experiential modules that form a spine of Supportive Challenge learning opportunities which run throughout the programme of study. You'll be offered the opportunity to draw meaningful, practical experiences to develop personal awareness and self-efficacy while developing your understanding of your chosen subject or profession in the context of the contemporary world and the future world of work.

You'll also be allowed to experience the real-world of the so-called 'wicked problems' which are complex and cannot be addressed by only one subject, discipline or professional context. You'll immerse yourself in interactive projects, enhancing your understanding and aspirations and cultivating deep personal values leading to a greater sense of self-belief, confidence and resilience in your ability to succeed in complex contexts.

What should world leaders do? How much power should countries give each other? And how should states and individuals behave towards each other? In this module, you’ll get to understand the key questions in world politics. You’ll explore:

• how we determine rights and duties
• how we both enable and restrict dominance
• how issues of race, gender and class interact
• in relation to world politics.

You’ll choose one of three topics that on international ethics and power - human rights, migration and immigration, or racism and colonialism.

How can we respond to and solve global injustice and the ecological crisis without a world government? How can we resolve issues in international politics which are beyond the limit of individual countries? A global unified approach is critical for success.

In this module, you’ll gain knowledge of the theory and practice of global development, justice and sustainability. And build your analytical skills. You'll take a combined approach of looking at global development and the ecological crisis. You'll examine competing and contrasting perspectives that feature across these global issues. Helping you gain understanding in their global justice implications. Also you'll look at international policy responses and global governance initiatives.

The Independent Study Module gives you the opportunity to explore a legal topic in greater depth, working closely with an academic whose research interests align with your chosen area. It allows you to investigate issues that go beyond the taught curriculum and develop expertise in a subject that reflects your interests and future ambitions.

You'll build advanced research, analysis and academic writing skills as you engage with legal scholarship, case law and contemporary debates. Students on our named pathways complete their project within their area of specialism, providing an opportunity to deepen their knowledge and showcase their expertise.

Whether you're considering postgraduate study, legal practice or another professional path, the module enables you to pursue an area you're passionate about while developing the independent learning skills valued by employers and researchers alike.

This module is compulsory if studying one of the named pathways.

You'll compare and contrast the shifting and different ways in which states respond to terrorism, and you'll critically engage with the idea of counter terrorism; what it is, and its relation to conceptions of the state, security and political violence.

You'll then examine particular moments of counter terrorism practice, going on to consider the similarities and differences in various countries' responses to terrorism. You'll conclude this module by considering how these various responses impact upon both human rights regimes and norms and citizenship rights, behaviours and practices.

In this module you’ll explore practices of conflict management and peacebuilding in societies which experience violent conflict. You’ll cover three key areas;

• conceptualise peace and the causes and dynamics of contemporary conflict
• investigate models of peacemaking
• understand how building a sustainable peace can be achieved by societies emerging from war.

You’ll compare a variety of case studies to draw conclusions about these challenges and processes, alongside analysing current cases of violent conflict, critically evaluating peacebuilding processes and asking questions about the quality of peace that often emerges.

This module provides you with the opportunity for independent research under supervision. You will choose a dissertation topic with the advice of academic staff from both of your subjects, then design and conduct a piece of small scale research over two semesters, which is finally written up as a dissertation of 8,000 words.

In this module, you'll develop and utilise your research skills and take a deep dive into topics encountered in other elements of the programme through an extended project. You'll either work on a community project or a research dissertation. If you're studying a joint-honours course, you'll have the opportunity to undertake a discipline-specific project or an interdisciplinary project.

In this module, you will be provided the opportunity to draw on meaningful, practical experiences to develop your academic skills and self efficacy through the study of International Relations and Politics. You will discover the important role of International Relations and Politics in public and professional life, and apply the approaches and theories you have learned in your studies in order to explore the world of work. This module will support you in developing vital and transferrable skills as you approach graduation, enabling you to suit a range of future workplaces. The third in a series of three modules running throughout the programme, Politics and IR in Public and Professional Life provides a capstone experience that helps you consolidate your learning, showcase your achievements and prepare for the opportunities and challenges beyond graduation.