Introduction to International Relations (L2008)

15 credits, Level 4

Autumn teaching

What is international relations?

In this module, you will be introduced to the study of International Relations (IR), exploring some of the core questions that define it as a discipline, as well as its most pressing political questions. In particular, we examine the contested historical and conceptual terrain of international relations. While the discipline has traditionally traced a path from idealism via realism towards a more pluralist methodological position, you will also engage alternative ways of historicising and conceptualising. Understanding these debates, the circumstances that have given rise to them, and the ideas that they have generated will give you a good orientation in the disciplinary terrain of IR that will help to contextualise the ideas you will encounter in the international theory modules in Years 1 and 2.

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 20 hours of contact time and about 130 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.