International Relations BA (Hons)

What you'll study

Excited to learn more? For a taster of what you can expect to study on our International Relations BA (Hons) degree, take a sneak preview of some of the modules you may have the opportunity to study below.

The information below reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. Please see Terms and Conditions of Study for more information.

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Final year

You will be introduced to the foundations of International Relations, providing the framework necessary for appreciating the complexities of international politics. Our assumption is that students are not necessarily familiar with International Relations at this stage. Areas studied include international relations, international political theory, the international system and recent European history.

Semester 1

Smart Scholarship Core

Smart Scholarship

This module introduces students to fundamental skills for successful study in Politics, International Relations, and/or History.

The Contemporary World Arena Core

The Contemporary World Arena

The aims of the module are to explore various aspects of the contemporary world arena, and to consider the importance of different actors and issues; and to identify links between theory and practice in the world arena.

The Making and Unmaking of the World Order Core

The Making and Unmaking of the World Order

This module introduces students to the main currents of world history and to the shifting structure of the international order in the modern period. It aims to cover both the mainstream narratives and those critical of Eurocentrism, thereby stimulating an appreciation in cultural diversity

Semester 2

Power, Politics and Ideology in Modern Europe Core

Power, Politics and Ideology in Modern Europe

This module provides an introduction to modern European history from c.1750 to the present and to the major ideological families that have defined, and continue to shape, European political, cultural, and intellectual life.

Understanding Democratic Institutions Core

Understanding Democratic Institutions

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the main institutions, powers and dynamics of a liberal democracy.

Conceptions of Democracy Core

Conceptions of Democracy

The aim of this module is to introduce a variety of perspectives on democracy and examine some of the problems resulting from the institutionalisation of democracy in the domestic and global arenas.

International Political Theory Core

International Political Theory

This module aims to introduce students to a selection of theories, concepts and theorists of International Politics. Students will learn to critically evaluate the strengths, weaknesses and limits of each approach.

Semester 1 & 2

Elective Optional

Elective

Including: Economics; English; Languages (French, German, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese); Geography; History; Business; Social Sciences

The second year introduces some specialisation, with areas covered including: foreign policy analysis, 20th century American politics, protest and resistance, the European Union and security studies.

In this year, you will have the opportunity to study modules from a range of subjects including History, Business, Economics, Geography and Social Sciences. There will also be an alternative option to study abroad for the second semester - if you choose this route (instead of the standard route) you will undertake assessed work and complete a Distance Learning Research Design, plus select from a range of optional modules.

Semester 1

Theories and Methods in Political Research Core

Theories and Methods in Political Research

The aims of this module are to introduce students to the dominant approaches and their research methods in politics.

The European Union Optional

The European Union

The purpose of this course is to inform students about the European Union, including: its historical evolution, its deepening process, its enlargement process, its institutions, its member states and its policy areas.

Security Studies Optional

Security Studies

Enterprise, Employability and Personal Development Optional

Enterprise, Employability and Personal Development

The aims of this module are:

• To influence students' awareness of and performance in key competencies which are required for personal effectiveness in employment and as a citizen in the wider community;
• To develop these competencies and understanding through a primarily student-centred approach to learning;
• To encourage students to use available tools and materials to support their own personal development;
• To provide students with an appreciation of the contemporary business environment in which their discipline is situated and into which they are likely to seek future employment.
• Stimulate student's interest in the global economy and the challenges facing industry in the 21st century.
• To aid student preparation for their job searching

Small Wars Optional

Small Wars

Semester 2

Research Design Core

Research Design

The aim of this module is to develop skills in research design, involving selecting research methodologies, sourcing research data and adapting conceptual frameworks.

The American Century: US Politics and Society in the 20th Century

The American Century: US Politics and Society in the 20th Century

The aims of this module are:

1. Introduce students to the main institutions of the US government and how they function within the US political system
2. Examine the politics and foreign policy of the United States through an analysis of its 20th century history
3. Explore how US cultural, social and intellectual history influenced US politics in the 20th century.

Politics of Developing Countries Optional

Politics of Developing Countries

This module aims to examine the problem of socio-economic inequality between the global North and global South and to analyse the relationship between global and local politics and socio-economic development.

International Semester Optional

International Semester

Cold War Europe Optional

Cold War Europe

The aims of the module are to discuss key selected key issues raised by the history of the Cold War. It assesses the threats, fears, ideological conflicts and competition which dominated Global politics for 50 years. It explores Cold War politics through original documents and eyewitness accounts.

Foreign Policy Analysis Optional

Foreign Policy Analysis

Comparative European Politics Optional

Comparative European Politics

This module offers a pan-European introduction to the continent's politics and compares the institutions of, and processes within democracies across Europe.

Semester 1 and 2

Elective Optional

Elective

Including: Economics; English; Languages (French, German, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese); Geography; History; Business; Social Sciences

This year provides you with the greatest flexibility by allowing you to choose a number of modules from a list of options. Areas studied include terrorism and political violence, major current global challenges, Britain and the EU, gender, nationalism, politics and religion, and regional politics. During this year you will also complete a dissertation in a specialised subject of your choice, under the close supervision of a member of the Department.

In the final year, you will have the opportunity to study modules from a range of subjects including Business, Economics, English, Languages, History, Geography and Social Sciences.

Semester 1

Dissertation Core

Dissertation

To enable students to undertake an extensive piece of research on a topic of their choice in the field of their degree title, and to further develop their skills in research techniques and methods.

State Violence and Terrorism Optional

State Violence and Terrorism

The Asia Pacific in Global Politics Optional

The Asia Pacific in Global Politics

Contemporary Political Philosophy

Contemporary Political Philosophy

Populist Challenge to Western Democracies Optional

Populist Challenge to Western Democracies

Populism is a phenomenon which has attracted substantial attention in recent years. This is not least related to the rise of radical right-wing parties in Western Europe during the past few decades.

International Politics of the Middle East Optional

International Politics of the Middle East

This module introduces students to key political issues in Middle East politics from a local, regional, and global perspective by employing relevant conceptual tools and empirically-informed analyses.

Empire, War and Popular Culture in Britain, c.1880-1930 Optional

Empire, War and Popular Culture in Britain, c.1880-1930

The British Empire was by far the largest and most powerful, certainly of the modern period. This module will focus on the debate on the extent to which that Empire and imperial wars influenced Britons `at home'.

Semester 2

Post-War Britain: The Start of the Decline Optional

Post-War Britain: The Start of the Decline

The aim of this module is for students to become familiar with key events in British Post-War political history, the key factors in shaping the events and their relevance for understanding contemporary Britain.

Gender and Politics Optional

Gender and Politics

The aim of this module is to explore how gender, understood in terms of both masculinity and femininity, relates to politics, both domestic and international.

After Empire: South Asia since 1945 Optional

After Empire: South Asia since 1945

This course examines the emergence, evolution and contemporary existence of South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal) since 1945. It explores the moments of incorporation, trajectories of development and marginal spaces, apart from the mainstream of South Asia today.

Britain and the EU Optional

Britain and the EU

The aim of this module is to develop multiple and critical perspectives on the question of the UK's membership of the European Union. The module will introduce the complexity of the UK's relationship with the EU.

Power, Politics and Participation in the Digital Age Optional

Power, Politics and Participation in the Digital Age

The key aims of the module are to introduce key concepts in new media and politics and to introduce the central debates around the relationship between power, politics, participation, and the internet.

International Conflict Management Optional