International relations

War in International Politics

Module code: L2138
Level 5
15 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Workshop
Assessment modes: Essay, Coursework

War is a violent expression of international politics, causing thousands of deaths each year. On this module, you'll study war to understand how it can be made more humane and less common.

You'll explore different perspectives within International Relations on why and how war occurs, covering a range of conflicts, including:

• interstate war
• civil war
• insurgencies
• other forms of conflict.

You’ll also examine recent developments in warfare, such as the introduction of drones and the potential for cyberattacks, considering how these changes affect the nature of war.

Module learning outcomes

• Develop a critical understanding of how war has been conceptualised over time.
• Apply knowledge and understanding of various theories of war to contemporary and historical challenges in international relations.
• Analyse and evaluate various approaches to the study of war as described by various thinkers.