Introductory description

International politics affects each and every person on the globe at some level, whether they are taking part in anti-globalisation demonstrations in Buenos Aires, lending to 'sub-prime' mortgage applicants in Australia, fighting in a conflict in the Middle East, or buying a can of Coca-Cola in Coventry. As the famous feminist thinker, Cynthia Enloe writes "the personal is international” and “the international is personal".

This core first year module in Politics and International Studies asks you to engage with political questions on a a global scale as it lays the foundations for study in World Politics across your degree. The module will challenge you to think about why politics matters internationally and to engage with its consequences for the daily lives of people all over the world.

The module introduces some of the core theories and concepts in the study of International Relations and considers different and often competing approaches to understanding politics globally. It asks you to consider the nature and structure of the international political system. It also focuses critically on questions of identity, power, and globalisation. Where does power lie in World Politics? Should we focus our study on states, on regions, on governments, on institutions, on alliances, on people? Should we emphasise conflict or cooperation? What impact do the legacies of empire and coloniality have on contemporary international relations? The aim is to provide you with the theoretical and conceptual tools you'll need to engage with these fundamental questions in Politics and International Studies as you progress through your degree.

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.

Weekly topics as taught in 2025-26 - exact structure and content may be adapted and enhanced year by year

1. Introduction: What are your assumptions about World Politics
2. Realism and World Politics
3. Liberalism and World Politics
4. Marxism and World Politics
5. Feminism and World Politics
6. Reading Week
7. Constructivism and World Politics
8. Postcolonialism and World Politics
9. World Politics Before Europe
10. Empires and Sovereign States
11. Cold War 1945-1989
12. Emerging World Order
13. Globalisation
14. Production and World Politics
15. Money and World Politics
16. Reading Week
17. Global Governance
18. Poverty and Development
19. Global Environmental Governance
20. International Human Rights and Human Right

Learning outcomes

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

• To become familiar with the major characteristics of world politics, as developed by scholars of international relations.
• To acquire an understanding of the history of post-1945 world politics.
• To acquire an awareness of some of the core concepts used in the study of world politics.
• To be familiar with a range of contemporary scholarly literature on issues and problems in world politics.
• To be able to critically analyse ideas about world politics, both orally and in writing.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

International

The module is concerned with World Politics so every dimension studied is international

Subject specific skills

By studying this module, students will acquire the following subject specific skills:
To be familiar with the major characteristics of world politics, as developed by scholars of international relations.
To acquire an understanding of the history of post-1945 world politics.
To acquire an awareness of some of the core concepts used in the study of world politics.
To be familiar with a range of contemporary scholarly literature on issues and problems in world politics.
To be able to critically analyse ideas about world politics, both orally and in writing.

Transferable skills

The module provides students with opportunities to acquire or develop the following:

Written communication skills
Oral communication skills
Skills of interpretation and the critical analysis of sources
Awareness and sensitivity to diversity (in terms of people, cultures) and the ability to understand unfamiliar ideas and ways of thinking
Ability to digest, retain and apply complex information and ideas
Ability to reference work appropriately
Time management skills and the ability to meet deadlines
The ability to reflect critically on what you have learned