University of Essex

GV902-7-FY-CO:
Theories of International Relations

The details

Year: 2023/24

Department: Government

Campus: Colchester Campus

Term: Full Year

Level: Postgraduate: Level 7

Status: ReassessmentOnly

Start date: Thursday 05 October 2023

End date: Friday 28 June 2024

Credits: 30

Last updated: 20 April 2023

Requisites for this module

Pre-requisites: (none)

Co-requisites: (none)

Pre and / or co-requisites: (none)

Prohibited modules: (none)

Key module (requisite for): (none)

Key module for

(none)

Module description

The objective of the course is to provide students with an overview of a wide and intellectually demanding range of IR literature and the ability to use this material to analyse world politics. The course aims to provide a sound basis for studying politics from different theoretical and methodological viewpoints.

By the end of the course the students should: (i) have a strong understanding of the origins, historical evolution, and current debates and challenges of the discipline of International Relations, (ii) have an in-depth and systematic knowledge of IR scholarship, and be able to critically evaluate this scholarship and explore new insights and working hypotheses in the study of world politics, (iii) understand the relationship between theory and practice in world politics, (iv) be able to engage in current debates on the analysis world politics.

Module aims

The aims of this module are:

To provide students with an overview of a wide and intellectually demanding range of IR literature and the ability to use this material to analyze world politics.

To provide a basis for studying politics from different theoretical and methodological viewpoints.

Module learning outcomes

Objectives
By the end of the course the students should:
* (i) have a strong understanding of the origins, historical evolution, and current debates and challenges of the discipline of International Relations,
* (ii) have an in-depth and systematic knowledge of IR scholarship, and be able to critically evaluate this scholarship and explore new insights and working hypotheses in the study of world politics,
* (iii) understand the relationship between theory and practice in world politics,
* (iv) be able to engage in current debates on the analysis world politics.
* Specific objectives are specified for each week in the module outline

Module information

This course will help students to develop the following skills: (i) Communication, presentation and argumentation skills, (ii) team-work skills in joint presentations and small discussion groups, (iii) writing and research skills through essays, assignments, and presentations, (iv) improving their own learning and performance by responding to comments, including criticism, (v) information technology skills through using research tools, (vi) self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, (vii) development of qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment, requiring the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility.

Learning and teaching methods

The module will run over 20 weeks. There will be a two-hour class.

Bibliography

Frieden, J.A., Lake, D.A. and Schultz, K.A. (2021c) World Politics. Fifth Edition. New York: WW Norton & Co. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/1129625.
Daniel Maliniak et al. (2018) ‘Is International Relations a Global Discipline? Hegemony, Insularity, and Diversity in the Field’, Security Studies, 27(3), pp. 448–484. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/09636412.2017.1416824.
Lisa L. Martin and Beth A. Simmons (no date) ‘Theories and Empirical Studies of International Institutions Abstract’, International Organization [Preprint]. Available at: https://essex.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/view/action/uresolver.do?operation=resolveService&package_service_id=3919511660007346&institutionId=7346&customerId=7345&VE=true.
Zvobgo, K. and Loken, M. (2020) ‘Why Race Matters in International Relations.’, Foreign Policy [Preprint]. Available at: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bsu&AN=144680063&site=eds-live&authtype=sso&custid=s9814295.
Dina A. Zinnes (1980) ‘Three Puzzles in Search of a Researcher: Presidential Address’, International Studies Quarterly, 24(3). Available at: https://www-jstor-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/stable/2600250?sid=primo&seq=3#metadata_info_tab_contents.
Garriga, A.C. (2016) ‘Human Rights Regimes, Reputation, and Foreign Direct Investment’, International Studies Quarterly, 60(1), pp. 160–172. Available at: https://academic.oup.com/isq/article/60/1/160/2359139?login=true.
Polo, S.M. and Gleditsch, K.S. (2016) ‘Twisting arms and sending messages’, Journal of Peace Research, 53(6), pp. 815–829. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/0022343316667999.
Bakaki, Z. and Bernauer, T. (2017) ‘Do global climate summits influence public awareness and policy preferences concerning climate change?’, Environmental Politics, 26(1), pp. 1–26. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/09644016.2016.1244964.
Conversi, D. (2016) ‘Sovereignty in a Changing World: From Westphalia to Food Sovereignty’, Globalizations, 13(4), pp. 484–498. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/14747731.2016.1150570.
Robert L. Carneiro (1970) ‘A Theory of the Origin of the State’, Science, 169(3947), pp. 733–738. Available at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/1729765.
Hobbes, T. (1998) ‘Of the Natural Condition of Mankind As Concerning Their Felicity, and Misery’, in J.C.A. Gaskin (ed.) Leviathan. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 82–85. Available at: https://www.bartleby.com/34/5/13.html.
Stephen D. Krasner (1995) ‘Compromising Westphalia’, International Security, 20(3), pp. 115–151. Available at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/2539141.
Goddard, S.E. and Nexon, D.H. (2016) ‘The Dynamics of Global Power Politics: A Framework for Analysis’, Journal of Global Security Studies, 1(1), pp. 4–18. Available at: https://academic.oup.com/jogss/article/1/1/4/1840249.
Jeffrey W. Legro and Andrew Moravcsik (1999) ‘Is Anybody Still a Realist?’, International Security, 24(2), pp. 5–55. Available at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/2539248.
John J. Mearsheimer (1990) ‘Back to the Future: Instability in Europe after the Cold War’, International Security, 15(1), pp. 5–56. Available at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/2538981.

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam	Description	Coursework weighting
Coursework	Research Question	20%
Coursework	Literature and Data Review	40%
Coursework	Research Design	40%

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

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Reassessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Module supervisor and teaching staff

Supervisor: Dr Brian Phillips, email: brian.phillips@essex.ac.uk.
Prof Reed Wood, email: reed.wood@essex.ac.uk.

Teaching staff:

Contact details: Module Supervisors Dr Brian Phillips brian.phillips@essex.ac.uk or Dr Reed Wood reed.wood@essex.ac.uk or Module Administrator, Jamie Seakens (govpgquery@essex.ac.uk)

Availability

Available to incoming Essex Abroad / Exchange students: Yes

Available to Outside Option: No

Available to Audit: Yes

External examiner

Name: Dr Damien Bol

Institution: King's College London

Academic role: Senior Lecturer

Resources

Teaching materials: Available via Moodle

Lecture recording: Of 40 hours, 38 (95%) hours available to students:
2 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).

Further information

Department website: Government

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Module Directory

GV902-7-FY-CO:Theories of International Relations