PO3A8-15 Race and International Politics
Introductory description
How does race shape political governance? This module brings together experts from across the Politics and International Studies department to show how race shapes the governance of trade, finance, terrorism, migration and postcolonial politics. Students will learn about both theoretical concepts and real-world examples that will help them to understand how race and racism shape world politics.
Module aims
The aims of this optional module are to enable students:
(1) to understand how race informs the governance of international political economy, international security and international relations;
(2) to understand how the historical legacies of imperialism continue to influence political institutions and global governance;
(3) to understand race through analytical frames including Critical Race Theory, Historical Sociology, intersectionality and colour-blindness;
(4) to critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of academic literature on race in International Politics.
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.
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.
- Race and International Politics – Frameworks for Analysis
- Colonial Political Economy 1
- Colonial Political Economy 2
- Race and Global Trade Politics 1
- Race and Global Trade Politics 2
- Reading Week
- Race and Migration
- Race and Terrorism
- Race and the Politics of International Aid
- Students speak back to race in International Relations – findings from reflective essays presented to the group
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Compare, contrast and critically assess how race informs the governance and contestation of range of policy areas .
- Critically assess academic literature on race in International Politics
- Demonstrate understanding of the ways in which race is a concept which has historical roots, evolved from imperial structures, and continues to influence world politics.
Indicative reading list
Reading lists can be found in Talis
Subject specific skills
- Ability to use key theoretical concepts related to the study of race and politics.
- Ability to design and sustain arguments using theoretical ideas from the module.
- Appreciation of the complexity of relevant debates.
Transferable skills
- Critical thinking
- Communication of complex ideas - written and verbal
- Working effectively with others
- Information literacy/research skills
- Time management and organisation
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 9 sessions of 1 hour (12%) |
| Seminars | 9 sessions of 1 hour (12%) |
| Private study | 57 hours (76%) |
| Total | 75 hours |
Private study description
Reading for seminars
Preparation for seminars - answering set questions
Preparation and writing of summative work
Further reading for summative work
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
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| Reflective Essay | 20% | 15 hours | Yes (extension) |
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On the reflective essay: According to Josefson (2005): “Reflective writing has four basic stages. First, students are asked to explain course materials. Next, they are challenged to reflect explicitly on how this material calls into question their preconceptions about the topic. Third, they analyze the conflicts, confusions, or questions that arise from engaging their preconceptions. And finally, they formulate plans to use the knowledge gained by the reflective process.” |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Summative Essay | 80% | 60 hours | Yes (extension) |
|
A summative essay based on module content |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Feedback on assessment
Written and verbal feedback on both essays
Courses
This module is Core optional for:
- Year 4 of UHIA-VM14 Undergraduate History and Politics (with Year Abroad and a term in Venice)
- Year 3 of UHIA-VM13 Undergraduate History and Politics (with a term in Venice)
This module is Optional for:
- Year 4 of UECA-4 Undergraduate Economics 4 Year Variants
- Year 3 of UECA-LM1D Undergraduate Economics, Politics and International Studies
-
UHIA-VM14 Undergraduate History and Politics (with Year Abroad and a term in Venice)
- Year 3 of VM14 History and Politics (with Year Abroad and a term in Venice)
- Year 4 of VM14 History and Politics (with Year Abroad and a term in Venice)
- Year 3 of UHIA-VM13 Undergraduate History and Politics (with a term in Venice)
- Year 3 of UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics
- Year 3 of UPOA-M100 Undergraduate Politics
- Year 4 of UPOA-M101 Undergraduate Politics (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 4 of UPOA-M168 Undergraduate Politics and International Studies with Chinese
- Year 3 of UPOA-M169 Undergraduate Politics and International Studies with Chinese (3 year)
- Year 3 of UPOA-M164 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and German
- Year 4 of UPOA-M165 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Italian
- Year 3 of UPOA-M162 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Quantitative Methods
- Year 4 of UPOA-M167 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Quantitative Methods (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 3 of UPHA-V7MW Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law
- Year 4 of UPHA-V7MX Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law (with Intercalated Year)
This module is Unusual option for:
-
UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics
- Year 3 of V7MR Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major)
- Year 3 of V7MP Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite)
-
UPHA-V7MM Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with Intercalated year)
- Year 4 of V7MS Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major) (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 4 of V7MQ Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite) with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of V7MM Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite) (with Intercalated year)
- Year 3 of UPHA-V7MW Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law
- Year 4 of UPHA-V7MX Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law (with Intercalated Year)
This module is Option list A for:
- Year 3 of UPOA-M16A Undergraduate Politics and International Studies
- Year 4 of UPOA-M16B Undergraduate Politics and International Studies (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 3 of UPOA-ML13 Undergraduate Politics and Sociology
- Year 4 of UPOA-ML14 Undergraduate Politics and Sociology (with Intercalated year)
- Year 4 of UPOA-M163 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and French
- Year 4 of UPOA-M164 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and German
- Year 4 of UPOA-M166 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Hispanic Studies
- Year 3 of UPOA-M16H Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Hispanic Studies (3 year degree)
This module is Option list C for:
- Year 3 of UHIA-VM11 Undergraduate History and Politics
- Year 4 of UHIA-VM12 Undergraduate History and Politics (with Year Abroad)
-
UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics
- Year 3 of V7MP Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite)
- Year 3 of V7ML Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite)
-
UPHA-V7MM Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with Intercalated year)
- Year 4 of V7MS Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major) (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 4 of V7MQ Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite) with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of V7MM Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite) (with Intercalated year)
This module is Option list D for:
- Year 3 of UHIA-VM11 Undergraduate History and Politics
- Year 4 of UHIA-VM12 Undergraduate History and Politics (with Year Abroad)
- Year 3 of UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics