MA International Relations | Part-time

This core module provides an introduction to International Relations by examining the theories, key concepts and authors. It aims to:

• engage you in independent and critical thinking
• develop and engage with the theoretical concepts and apply them to the world
• develop the ability to present and defend arguments and interpretations in an appropriate and scholarly manner
• help you understand global events from the state, non-state and international perspectives

This module provides a thorough understanding of the key skills required to develop and carry-out a research-based project or dissertation on the subject of International Relations. It aims to:

• introduce you to postgraduate-level methodological and theoretical approaches to researching international relations
• provide the opportunity to critically appraise methodological and theoretical approaches to researching international relations
• provide the skills required to undertake a research project at postgraduate level

This module will prepare you to undertake your dissertation following the relevant research methods module. It will enable you to:

• engage in independent and critical thinking and apply theoretical concepts in the field of international relations
• apply knowledge of recent advances within the field of international relations and situate the proposed work accordingly
• identify, access and critically evaluate relevant research resources
• present and defend research findings in an appropriate and scholarly manner
• examine an appropriate area of research and modify the project after discussion, reflection and feedback

Through an exploration of key contemporary issues including gender, race, health security, nuclearization, migration and terrorism, this module will provide a set of key concepts and resources to help students develop an in-depth understanding of the modern security environment through the lens of Critical Security Studies. As such, this module will provide students with the necessary theoretical tools to understand how ‘security’ opens up wider questions of power, inequality, war, and peace internationally. In particular, this module will be important for students who are keen on pursuing a career within policy-making, research and industries concerned with security, development and peace-building.

This module develops a comprehension of the theory, practice and historical development of the War/Peace Cycle. It will demonstrate an understanding of the strategic significance of the War/Peace cycle in international relations over the course of the last 200 years. It also builds in-depth knowledge of particular problems in the War/Peace cycle.

This module engages with both political science and historical approaches to the study of warfare in contemporary Africa. It will enable you to:

• consider the nature of international interventions in African wars
• consider the dilemmas of post-conflict agendas of justice and reconciliation

This module aims to:

• consider current controversies in international law pertaining to the use of force between states
• provide you with an understanding of legal limitations on methods and means of armed conflict
• explore modern and emerging challenges to the law of armed conflict

The module aims to:

• introduce you to the work of the United Nations in the maintenance and restoration of international peace and security
• develop your understanding of the legal framework which governs the work of the UN in this area

The module provides students with a sound knowledge and understanding of the basic principles and concepts of international human rights law. It explores the evolving ideas of human rights and their development in the specific context of international law-making and state obligations. It offers a critical engagement with both theoretical and practical dimensions of the field, as well as selected issues that define contemporary human rights debates, including the relationship between individual and group rights. The module features a set of general seminars, followed by themed sessions, offering specialist content and case studies. General seminars typically address the legal properties of human rights, historical and conceptual approaches to the field, the specific role of international law, and the work of international institutions. Themed module content can vary depending on the academic year, but it normally includes in-depth overviews of civil, political and socio-economic rights, as well as group rights, including the right to self-determination.