Introductory description

This module provides an introduction to International Relations (IR) theory; to the key ideas and approaches that scholars working in the discipline use to understand and make sense of the practices of international politics. The module aims to familiarise students with the key theoretical approaches in IR and to make theory accessible and understandable.This is done via both an analysis of the key theoretical approaches to IR and by examining their insights and limitations through the study of key issues and themes in international relations, and by considering relevant case studies.

International Relations theorising draws from a wide diversity of intellectual sources and its scope is not limited by the narrow confines of the empirics of interstate behaviour. Firstly, IR theories draw from disciplines other than Politics, including philosophy, sociology and economics. Secondly, some of the theoretical literature is explicitly critical about the adequacy of particular theoretical approaches, and seeks to deconstruct the role of theory and the theorist in IR, rather than just elaborate and apply existing theories. Finally, IR theory is not confined to academia. Policy-makers and practitioners of world politics are also informed by and reproduce particular theoretical understandings of the way the world works even if they do not specifically recognise or present them as such.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Week 1: What Is IR Theory Anyway and Why Should We Care?
Week 2: Realism and Neo-Realism: States, Power and the National Interest
Week 3: Liberalism and Neo-Liberalism: Peace, Democracy and the end of History?
Week 4: The English School: International Society
Week 5: Social constructivism: A Middle Way?
Week 6: Reading Week
Week 7: Marxism, Critical Theory, and World Systems Theory
Week 8: Poststructuralism: The Politics of Reality
Week 9: Feminism and Gender: Theory or Issue in International Relations?
Week 10: Postcolonial Politics: Is International Relations a Western Construct?
Week 11: Sovereignty, the State, and Globalisation
Week 12: Global Ethics
Week 13: Humanitarian Intervention and Human Rights
Week 14: The Changing Nature of War in the International System
Week 15: International Terrorism
Week 16: Reading Week
Week 17: Migration and Borders
Week 18: Environmental Degradation
Week 19: Poverty, Development and Security
Week 20: Conclusions: Where Do We Go From Here?

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Describe the key assumptions which distinguish contemporary theories of international relations from each other and from other sorts of theory;
• Analyse the purpose, coherence, and contradictions of contemporary theories of international relations;
• Evaluate the contribution of different theories of international relations to our understanding and explanation of key issues in international relations.

Indicative reading list

https://rl.talis.com/3/warwick/lists/41E048C4-F102-ADF1-A164-AE1699A16053.html?lang=en-GB&login=1

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

The objective of the module is to promote critical engagement with a wide range of theoretical and empirical literature in IR. Students will learn to display this engagement through both analytical essay writing and the presentation of complex arguments in seminar discussion. By the end of the module, students should have acquired a sound knowledge and understanding of key debates concerning IR and should be able to operationalise such understandings in the context of key issues in IR like, for instance, debates surrounding security or development. Moreover, while all work should be situated in the context of the existing IR literature, students are encouraged to develop their own ideas and arguments on topics. The ability to develop and sustain an original argument is one of the key markers of excellence in IR.

Transferable skills

Presentation and public speaking skills; academic writing skills; analytical skills.