IR200     
International Political Theory

This information is for the 2019/20 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Martin Bayly CBG.8.07

Availability

This course is available on the BSc in International Relations, BSc in International Relations and Chinese, BSc in International Relations and History and BSc in Politics and International Relations. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course is available with permission to General Course students.

Pre-requisites

Students must have completed International Relations: Theories, Concepts and Debates (IR100).

Course content

This course offers an introduction to the history of international political thought (IPT). The course deals with debates and themes prompted by classical thinkers and considers their location within the existing IR canon including realism, liberalism, constructivism, and critical theory. The course also broadens this purview to consider how ‘classical’ international thought has been adopted, adapted, and critiqued by more recent thinkers, including those situated outside of the ‘west’. Students will be encouraged to consider how international thought sits within global intellectual history, the impact of world political events on IPT, and its enduring relevance. Topics covered will include sovereignty, the state, and war; international government, empire, and decolonization; gender, race, and class.

Teaching

10 hours of lectures and 9 hours of classes in the MT. 10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the LT. 2 hours of classes in the ST.

Students on this course will have a reading week in Week 6, in line with departmental policy.

Formative coursework

Students are required to write three essays of a maximum length of 1,500 words each to be set and marked by class teachers. They are also expected to give at least one class presentation.

Indicative reading

D. Armitage, Foundations of Modern International Thought; E. Keene, International Political Thought: A Historical Introduction; S. Burchill, Theories of International Relations; R. Shilliam, International Relations and Non-Western Thought; I. Kant, Kant’s Political Writings; E. H. Carr, The Twenty Years’ Crisis; B. K. Sarkar, The Futurism of Young Asia; R. Vitalis, White World Order, Black Power Politics: The Birth of American International Relations

Assessment

Exam (100%, duration: 3 hours) in the summer exam period.

The examination paper requires that three questions be answered out of twelve.

Student performance results

(2016/17 - 2018/19 combined)

Classification % of students
First 23.9
2:1 61.3
2:2 13.5
Third 0.7
Fail 0.7

Key facts

Department: International Relations

Total students 2018/19: 62

Average class size 2018/19: 12

Capped 2018/19: No

Value: One Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Leadership
  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Communication
  • Specialist skills