GV103-4-AU-CO:
Introduction to International Relations
2015/16
Government
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
15
18 February 2013
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
GV113, GV517
BA L250 International Relations (Including Foundation Year),
BA L258 International Relations,
BA L259 International Relations (Including Year Abroad),
BA L260 International Relations (Including Placement Year),
BA LRF9 International Relations and Modern Languages,
BA VL12 Modern History and International Relations,
BA VL1F Modern History and International Relations (Including Year Abroad)
This module seeks to introduce students to the study of international politics, with a focus on understanding patterns of international cooperation and conflict. The goal is to help you understand why we do not always see outcomes that would appear to be in everyone's interests, namely more cooperation and less conflict. Though historical and contemporaneous examples will be given to illustrate key concepts, the focus is broader arguments about why actors behave as they do rather than the specific details of particular events. My hope is that you leave this class equipped with the tools necessary to make sense of future developments in international politics.
In the lectures, I make many simplifying assumptions. I do so partly for pedagogical reasons and partly out of necessity. You may sometimes be bothered by the assumptions I have made. However, as one of the early lectures discusses at length, simplification is both less avoidable and more justifiable than many appreciate. Bear in mind that the goal of this course is simply to introduce you to the study of world politics. I believe the lecture material provides valuable insights, and thus that you will walk away with a better understanding of the world if you make an effort to understand the material, but I do not claim to account for everything.
We will develop theoretical arguments using game theory and evaluate their primary observable implications using statistical analysis. As such, there will be a considerable amount of mathematical material in this module, but rest assured that no background in either game theory or statistical analysis is either assumed or required, and the examinations will focus on your understanding of the substantive arguments developed and evaluated with these tools rather than the details of their application. Brief primers on both game theory and statistical analysis, as well as optional lectures covering useful background material, will be provided.
Disclaimer: This syllabus is preliminary. Some information may change.
No information available.
No information available.
Compulsory for:
1st Year students on BA International Relations and Politics
Two one-hour lectures weekly
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Short Essay |
|
15% |
| Practical |
Class Activities |
|
25% |
| Written Exam |
Take Home Test 1 |
|
30% |
| Written Exam |
Take Home Test 2 |
|
30% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Phil Arena
Dr Phil Arena, email parena@essex.ac.uk
Becky Fray email rfray@essex.ac.uk
Yes
No
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
Government
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