BA (Hons) International Relations & Chinese

Students take the following compulsory modules in the Department of Politics and International Relations:

This unit will introduce students to the study of world politics, emphasising that there are different and competing perspectives on how to approach the subject.

In the first term, we focus on the three dominant paradigms (realism, pluralism and structuralism) that defined the discipline of International Relations throughout the 20th Century. We situate those paradigms in the historical context in which they were developed and critically examine both their contribution to our understanding of world politics and their shortcomings.

In the second term, the unit identifies some of the contours of the post-Cold War inter-national environment. In particular, it explores claims that contemporary world politics are defined by processes of globalisation.

This is an introduction to political theory and an exploration of why central political ideas and concepts influence our understanding of the world around us. Assessed by: one essay and a two-hour unseen examination.

You will also study two consecutive Mandarin modules (ie. Mandarin 1 and Mandarin 2). The module you start with will depend on your language ability, which will be determined by the Confucius Centre at the start of the academic year.

In this module you'll cover the basics of beginner’s level Mandarin within 12 weeks. You'll learn to comprehend and talk in very simple Chinese words and patterns, paving the way for you to further your study of Chinese.
By the end of the module, you should:

• have a basic knowledge of Chinese Pinyin, basic grammar and simple sentence patterns
• be able to recognise around 300 Chinese characters
• be able to approximately comprehend simple, basic and very limited language materials closely related to personal or everyday life
• be able to introduce oneself or make oneself understood by others on very limited simple vocabulary with the help of body language or other means
• be able to copy simple characters or words, fill in information that is closely related to personal life or provide very brief written answers to relevant questions in very simple basic vocabulary

You'll take part in introductory grammar classes, tutorials, drills and conversation classes, and study the written language in simplified forms. Teaching will focus on developing your skills in listening, speaking (through individual and group presentations and role play), reading, grammar and writing.

30 credits. Mandarin 2 Mandarin 2 30 credits

The main objective of this module is to continue to work on basic sentence patterns, grammar and ways of expressing yourself, helping with your acquisition of basic modern language through attention to the spoken forms of the language and to their written equivalents, so as to gain greater knowledge of Chinese language, culture and social life. You’ll work with written text in both Chinese characters and Pinyin.

By the end of this module, you should:

• have a good command of basic Chinese grammar and sentence patterns recognise around 800 Chinese characters, and have a basic working knowledge of the vocabulary based on those character
• be able basically to understand a brief conversation or exchange that is closely related to personal or everyday life
• be able to describe basic information about yourself and others in very simple Mandarin
• be able to write short messages on familiar topics for general social purposes

You’ll take part in grammar classes, tutorials, drills and conversation classes and study the written language in simplified forms. Teaching will focus on developing your skills in listening, speaking (through individual and group presentations and role play), reading, grammar and writing.

30 credits. Mandarin 3 Mandarin 3 30 credits

In this lower-intermediate level module, you’ll focus on consolidating your grammar knowledge and expanding your vocabulary with reference to Chinese culture and society. By the end of this this module, you’ll have expanded your vocabulary significantly to around 1000 Chinese characters and 1600 words and expressions, and will be able to engage in everyday conversation as well as give sustained oral presentation on a familiar topic.

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

• understand spoken Chinese and engage in spoken discourse on everyday topics and some simple but formal exchanges
• understand formal texts e.g. news items and reports, extensive Chinese vocabulary and the appropriateness of Chinese structures and expressions in a given context
• understand short passages in written Chinese in relatively formal context as well as on everyday life
• write short descriptions and narrations on your personal experiences or on familiar topics

You’ll learn through intensive linguistic training in small classes at the Confucius Institute and take part in grammar classes, tutorials, drills and conversation classes. Teaching will focus on developing your skills in listening, speaking (through individual and group presentations and role play), reading, grammar and writing.

30 credits. Mandarin 4 Mandarin 4 30 credits

This intermediate level module is designed to develop your comprehensive reading skills and to enrich your Chinese vocabulary up to 1250 Chinese characters and 2400 words and expressions. Throughout this module you’ll also continue to improve your cross-cultural competency with reference to Chinese culture and society. By the end of this module you should be capable of studying documentary Chinese texts independently and have advanced your oral language skills.

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

• communicate with others more confidently on general social occasions and to converse on common topics
• read descriptive or narrative texts on familiar or real-life topics, be able to grasp the central issue, theme and some important details, and to understand the intention of the author
• write texts of some length on the common topics in everyday life, study or social activities in different formats, to convey or express information in an appropriate manner

You’ll learn through intensive linguistic training in small classes at the Confucius Institute and take part in grammar classes, tutorials, drills and conversation classes. Teaching will focus on developing your skills in listening, speaking (through individual and group presentations and role play), reading, grammar and writing.

30 credits. Year 2 (credit level 5)

You will study the following International Relations modules:

Module title Credits. Contemporary International Relations Theories Contemporary International Relations Theories 15 credits

This module focuses on the principal debates and issues that have been shaping world politics since the end of the Cold War.

The module provides a detailed review of the main theoretical perspectives contributing to contemporary international relations theory, critically assesses what international relations theory is about, identifies the abstractions and logic it deploys, and interrogates its relation to the outside world.

15 credits. Global Governance and World Order Global Governance and World Order 15 credits

This module explores the place and the role of international organisations in the international system. The module covers historical, theoretical, legal and policy-related aspects of the evolving nature and roles of international organisations in world politics.

A particular focus is the widening and deepening of international governance that has occurred since the end of the Cold War. This process of global governance is framed as a response to the increased prevalence of transnational concerns and problems that cannot be resolved by individual sovereign states.

The module explores how international organisations, in alliance with states and non-governmental actors, identify and respond to these problems.

15 credits. Critical Security Studies Critical Security Studies 15 credits

This module explores the contemporary security agenda in world politics. It addresses both theoretical debates over the nature of security and the range of phenomena currently identified as security threats.

The module takes as its point of entry the emergence in the post Cold War world of the idea of human security, which challenged the traditional view that the state was the primary referent of security. Contemporary security studies now focuses on a broad range of actors - states, individuals, substate groups, transnational NGOs and intergovernmental organisations.

These actors are studied as: i) subjects exposed to a range of security threats; ii) actors that individually and collectively seek to reduce their vulnerability to risk; iii) as sources of insecurity themselves.

15 credits.

You then choose ONE module from a list of IR/area studies modules. Current examples include:

Module title Credits. US Politics and Foreign Policy US Politics and Foreign Policy 15 credits

This module explores the interaction between US domestic and foreign politics. It seeks to understand the way that domestic political dynamics influence foreign policy and the role of the US in the broader international arena. It introduces students to the structure of US government and the main interest groups involved in the foreign policy making process, examining the broader ideological and political trends that have shaped the way the US acts on the global stage as the world’s only remaining superpower.

Part of the module will take a historical overview, looking at how US foreign policy has developed post-Second War, throughout the Cold War, and into today’s War on Terror, showing how different administrations have responded to perceived international threats, opportunities and challenges, as well as domestic political pressures and concerns.

The module will also examine a number of contemporary issues currently faced by the US, which are likely to shape US foreign policy and security strategy for the foreseeable future: conflict in the Middle east; the threat of Islamist terrorism; the economic rise of China; global nuclear proliferation; the challenges posed by Russia; and the broader issue of global climate change. It will look at how the US responds to these dilemmas, and how these issues figure in domestic political debates and the US’ perception of itself.

15 credits. Rough Politics Rough Politics 15 credits

To gain a more sophisticated (and less prejudiced) knowledge of “rough politics” is particularly vital today, as the age of globalisation seems to be framed by the conflict between the rule of law represented by western democracies, and the violent disorder embodied by the Global South.

In studying this shadowy territory we will touch upon fundamental issues for today's social sciences: the afterlives of Twentieth Century revolutionary politics, the connections between political violence and religion, the nature of informal and illegal economies, the current debates on globalisation from below, the prospects for social rebellion, the construction of new political subjectivities and novel ways of representing the “other”.

We will do all of this by studying the political significance of guerrilla warfare in shaping global politics; the language of martyrdom in religious based terrorism; Al Qaeda´s dependence on mass-murder to advance a populist theology, Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea reinventing the fascination and fear caused by pirates from a bygone age, Colombian paramilitaries enforcing order and disregarding at the very same time the Rule of Law, The Mara Salvatrucha street gang dominating neighbourhoods in El Salvador and Los Angeles, and hackers disturbing the otherwise unalterable profitmaking arrangements of the Internet.

15 credits.

You will also study 2 more consecutive Mandarin modules, which should follow on from the Mandarin modules you studied in the first year. For example, if you studied Mandarin 1 and Mandarin 2 then you will study Mandarin 3 and Mandarin 4.

Module title Credits. Mandarin 3 Mandarin 3 30 credits

In this lower-intermediate level module, you’ll focus on consolidating your grammar knowledge and expanding your vocabulary with reference to Chinese culture and society. By the end of this this module, you’ll have expanded your vocabulary significantly to around 1000 Chinese characters and 1600 words and expressions, and will be able to engage in everyday conversation as well as give sustained oral presentation on a familiar topic.

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

• understand spoken Chinese and engage in spoken discourse on everyday topics and some simple but formal exchanges
• understand formal texts e.g. news items and reports, extensive Chinese vocabulary and the appropriateness of Chinese structures and expressions in a given context
• understand short passages in written Chinese in relatively formal context as well as on everyday life
• write short descriptions and narrations on your personal experiences or on familiar topics

You’ll learn through intensive linguistic training in small classes at the Confucius Institute and take part in grammar classes, tutorials, drills and conversation classes. Teaching will focus on developing your skills in listening, speaking (through individual and group presentations and role play), reading, grammar and writing.

30 credits. Mandarin 4 Mandarin 4 30 credits

This intermediate level module is designed to develop your comprehensive reading skills and to enrich your Chinese vocabulary up to 1250 Chinese characters and 2400 words and expressions. Throughout this module you’ll also continue to improve your cross-cultural competency with reference to Chinese culture and society. By the end of this module you should be capable of studying documentary Chinese texts independently and have advanced your oral language skills.

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

• communicate with others more confidently on general social occasions and to converse on common topics
• read descriptive or narrative texts on familiar or real-life topics, be able to grasp the central issue, theme and some important details, and to understand the intention of the author
• write texts of some length on the common topics in everyday life, study or social activities in different formats, to convey or express information in an appropriate manner

You’ll learn through intensive linguistic training in small classes at the Confucius Institute and take part in grammar classes, tutorials, drills and conversation classes. Teaching will focus on developing your skills in listening, speaking (through individual and group presentations and role play), reading, grammar and writing.

30 credits. Mandarin 5 Mandarin 5 30 credits

This upper-intermediate level module is designed to enable you to reach higher levels of competence in reading, speaking and writing modern Chinese, as well as continue to improve your cross-cultural competency with reference to Chinese culture and society.

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

• describe or narrate events or experiences with some supporting details, and interact with independence in familiar life situations
• demonstrate ability to read and understand texts on Chinese cultural and social topics, and to extrapolate meanings from context
• convey acquired information with competency in oral and written language

You’ll learn through intensive linguistic training in small classes at the Confucius Institute and take part in grammar classes, tutorials, drills and conversation classes. Teaching will focus on developing your skills in listening, speaking (through individual and group presentations and debates), reading, grammar and writing.

30 credits. Mandarin 6 Mandarin 6 30 credits

This upper-intermediate level module will enable you to acquire the Chinese language skills to read modern Chinese writings, listen to spoken Chinese and express yourself with a higher level of proficiency. Your knowledge of Chinese culture will also be significantly extended.

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

• speak in a variety of different contexts in linguistically, socially, and culturally appropriate ways
• view, listen to and read creative works and respond to them both in the oral and written form
• write short essays in Chinese characters while demonstrating an awareness of Chinese writing conventions

You’ll learn through intensive linguistic training in small classes at the Confucius Institute and take part in grammar classes, tutorials, drills and conversation classes. Teaching will focus on developing your skills in listening, speaking (through individual and group presentations and debates), reading, grammar and writing.

30 credits. Year abroad at Capital Normal University in Beijing

In your third year you will spend a year studying at Capital Normal University in Beijing. You will take compulsory modules to the value of 120 credits.

Although you will be assessed as part of the course at Capital Normal University, these marks will not count towards your final degree classification.

Year 3 (credit level 6)