IR100 One Unit
International Relations: Theories, Concepts and Debates
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Katerina Dalacoura
Availability
This course is compulsory 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 on the BSc in Economic History, BSc in Environment and Sustainable Development, BSc in Politics, Erasmus Reciprocal Programme of Study and Exchange Programme for Students from University of California, Berkeley. This course is not available as an outside option to students on other programmes. This course is available with permission to General Course students.
Students who have this course as a compulsory course are guaranteed a place.
This course is capped. Places will be assigned on a first come first served basis.
Course content
This course offers an introduction to the study of International Relations (IR). It surveys key IR concepts and a a wide range of theories, placing them in in conversation with each other to highlight key debates in the study of IR. The second part of the course focuses on the application of theories to enable students to deepen their understanding.
Teaching
10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the Winter Term.
10 hours of lectures and 9 hours of classes in the Autumn Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn and Winter Term.
Formative assessment
Formative essay of 1500 words AT week 7. The formative essay provides students with an opportunity to write an essay and receive feedback to support their preparation for the summative essay.
Students will sit a mock exam in WT week 7. The mock exam provides students with an opportunity to write a paper in class under simulated exam conditions and receive feedback to support their preparation for the summative e-Exam.
Indicative reading
A full course description and guide to reading will be provided. Relevant course texts include:
- Baylis, John, Smith, Steve and Owens, Patricia. 2023. The globalization of world politics: an introduction to international relations. Ninth edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press
- Dunne, Tim, Kurki, Milja and Smith, Steve. (eds.). 2020. International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity. Fifth edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press
- Booth, Ken and Smith, Steve. (eds). 2016. International Relations Theory Today. 2nd edition. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Assessment
Exam (80%), duration: 180 Minutes in the Spring exam period
Essay (20%, 1500 words) in January
Key facts
Department: International Relations
Course Study Period: Autumn and Winter Term
Unit value: One unit
FHEQ Level: Level 4
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 137
Average class size 2024/25: 14
Capped 2024/25: NoCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Leadership
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Communication