INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS - 2025/6

Module Overview

This module introduces the discipline of International Relations, exploring key global events and their interrelationship with the development of theoretical perspectives. It will form the basis of student knowledge and analytical training for more advanced modules.

Students will be introduced to both mainstream and critical perspectives, exploring both their basis in philosophy and their practical applications in analysis. They will also explore empirical case areas that present major challenges in international politics and current affairs, including developments on environment and climate change, security, human rights and globalisation.

Module provider

Politics & International Relations

Module Leader

GILLESPIE Ciaran (Politics IR)

Number of Credits: 30

ECTS Credits: 15

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

The module introduces the discipline of International Relations in two sections.

The first half of the each semester in the module explores foundational theory perspectives to create the necessary knowledge base in the study of international politics and current global affairs, and¿to connect other modules in Levels 5 and 6. The second half of each semester explores important empirical case studies to develop global and cultural intelligence especially around less explored areas of the discipline.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Presentation: Written critique of a theoretical approach (500 words).¿

Assessment Strategy

Students are given the opportunity to demonstrate development across two key academic and professional skill areas:

(1) professional presentation
&
(2) coursework in the form of a seen exam.

For the presentations, students are given a range of options to showcase digital skill¿sets either via video editing and production, audio annotation or more traditional PowerPoint slideshows. The assessment is designed to be a useful entry level test of knowledge, but also as an early opportunity to develop professional portfolio and can be used in evidence for application for a University employability award.

The seen exam coursework provides a more in-depth test of knowledge developed over the length of the module. The take home exam features a set of 10 questions, from which students select two to develop essay-based responses. While the questions come late in the cycle of their study, they will cover the full range of material in the module. Students will have to craft a response to the questions posed, demonstrating an accumulation of a broad range of understanding from the topics. They will however, be able to focus on particular areas of expertise, such as particular theories or areas of empirical research that interest them such as environment or technology.

Both assessments are designed to facilitate academic development within their programme for future modules, but also for responding to a fast-paced working environment, encompassing key employability parameters.¿

Formative feedback will be provided in a number of occasions throughout the module.¿

Module aims

• Provide students with an overview of the development of International Relations as an academic discipline, considering its relationship to historical eras; and in doing so, provide a solid foundation in global and cultural intelligence useful for advanced International Relations modules in Levels 5 and 6.
• Assist students in developing a theoretical vocabulary by introducing them to the major approaches to the study of international relations;
• Enable students to describe, analyse and understand key issues of historical and contemporary significance, such as conflict, globalisation and human rights;
• Encourage students to think critically about these issues, their own views and the role that different theoretical approaches have in shaping our understandings.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Introduce students to a new topic, and provide room for student-led discussion of the topic.

The learning and teaching methods include:
- lectures
- seminars

In addition to the direct contact time, students will be supplied with additional digital and captured content resources to enrich their digital capabiliies and be supported through guided learning in better comprehending the content of the module.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: POL1029

Other information

None

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.