Major Approaches to the Study of International Relations
Major Approaches to the Study of International Relations will explore the development of International Relations (IR) theory in the 20th and 21st centuries and examine it in the light of major historical developments and contemporary events. The module aims at providing the students with the necessary skills and background knowledge to engage critically with the world that we live in. To do so, the module pays special attention to the unequal power relations and Western dominance in the study of IR and politics, and to how they have become embedded into our institutions, theories and methods. The module will also introduce students to theories and debates in human and environmental sustainability.
Learning Outcomes
- compare and contrast the major international relations theories and apply them to contemporary international relations, security and sustainability issues and problems;
- understand the different historical contexts behind these theoretical developments and see how they change and develop over time;
- understand the different political implications of the main IR theories and how these interact with different political movements;
- better understand specialised debates in international relations, security and foreign policy, including a knowledge of specialised terminology;
- put into historical context, understand and criticise debates about international relations, security and sustainability;understand the larger theoretical framework in which international relations are positioned;
- provide space to engage in critical discussions about power, gender and race in IR, and help in developing a more critical eye to the challenges and possibilities of different approaches to and visions of IR;
- obtain an introductory knowledge of environmental sustainability.