INRL10010 Foundation of Political Theory & International Relations

Academic Year 2020/2021

This module has two parts: an Introduction to Political Theory and an Introduction to International Relations. The first part of the course provides an introduction to political theory, focusing on changing conceptions and models of democracy, mainly through the thought of three challenging and influential political thinkers, Aristotle, Mill and Marx. This part of the module focuses in particular on four key themes: the meaning and relative importance of the political principles of liberty, equality and community; how much political participation there should be; the social pre-conditions for democracy; and to what extent the kind of democracy possible depends on how we think of human nature.

The second part of the course offers an introduction to the main issues in contemporary international politics. It first looks at the development of the modern international system, focusing especially on the post-Cold War era. It then examines a range of substantive issues that occupy students of contemporary international politics: war and other forms of inter-state conflict, global trade and communication, migration, economic inequality, global environmental issues, international integration, terrorism, human rights, and the role of multinational corporations and transnational pressure groups.

This module is required for any student wishing to take Politics as a major at Stage Two. In addition to the lectures, an essential part of this module are tutorials in which students learn through writing essays and exercises and through participating in discussions.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, students will:
- have a clear grasp of what is at stake in some of the fundamental issues of political theory;
- be familiar with, and able to evaluate and apply, the normative arguments advanced by major political theorists;
- have developed skills in written and oral argument.
- understand the evolution of the international system;
- understand key features of that system including state sovereignty, diplomacy, war, international institutions and international trade.

Indicative Module Content:

Political Theory: Human Nature and Democracy, Political Participation, Democratic Institutions, Understandings of Liberty, Equality and Community as seen through Aristotle, Mill and Marx.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

2
Tutorial

7
Seminar (or Webinar)

18
Autonomous Student Learning

94
Total

121
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module will consist of lectures and small group teaching/tutorials. Students will be encouraged to participate in discussion in both lectures and tutorials. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Examination: Exam during final week of teaching Week 12 No Graded No

40
Continuous Assessment: Two tutorial exercises and two assignments Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

60

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be provided to students within 20 working days of the deadline for the assignment in according with university policy’.

Name Role
Dr Marta Bustillo Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Tobias Theiler Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dave Banks Tutor
Junhyoung Lee Tutor
Emma Murphy Tutor
Mr Darragh O Donnell Tutor
Mr Redmond Scales Tutor
Carl Smith Tutor
Natalia Umansky Casapa Tutor
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.

Please note: this module is available to Stage 1 undergraduate students. Therefore, teaching in the Autumn trimester will commence from the week beginning 28 September 2020. 
Autumn
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: Weeks 2-12 Fri 11:00 - 11:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: Weeks 2-12 Wed 15:00 - 15:50
Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 4, 7, 9, 11 Mon 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 5, 10 Mon 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 4, 7, 9, 11 Mon 11:00 - 11:50
Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 5, 10 Mon 11:00 - 11:50
Tutorial Offering 3 Week(s) - 4, 7, 9, 11 Mon 12:00 - 12:50
Tutorial Offering 3 Week(s) - 5, 10 Mon 12:00 - 12:50
Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - 4 Thurs 13:00 - 13:50
Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - 5, 10 Thurs 13:00 - 13:50
Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - 7, 9, 11 Thurs 13:00 - 13:50
Tutorial Offering 5 Week(s) - 4 Tues 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 5 Week(s) - 5, 10 Tues 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 5 Week(s) - 7, 9, 11 Tues 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 6 Week(s) - 4 Wed 11:00 - 11:50
Tutorial Offering 6 Week(s) - 5, 10 Wed 11:00 - 11:50
Tutorial Offering 6 Week(s) - 7, 9, 11 Wed 11:00 - 11:50
Tutorial Offering 7 Week(s) - 4 Thurs 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 7 Week(s) - 5, 10 Thurs 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 7 Week(s) - 7, 9, 11 Thurs 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 8 Week(s) - 4 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Tutorial Offering 8 Week(s) - 5, 10 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Tutorial Offering 8 Week(s) - 7, 9, 11 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Tutorial Offering 9 Week(s) - 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11 Tues 12:00 - 12:50
Tutorial Offering 10 Week(s) - 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11 Tues 13:00 - 13:50
Tutorial Offering 11 Week(s) - 4, 7, 9, 11 Mon 13:00 - 13:50
Tutorial Offering 11 Week(s) - 5, 10 Mon 13:00 - 13:50
Tutorial Offering 12 Week(s) - 4 Tues 12:00 - 12:50
Tutorial Offering 12 Week(s) - 5, 10 Tues 12:00 - 12:50
Tutorial Offering 12 Week(s) - 7, 9, 11 Tues 12:00 - 12:50
Tutorial Offering 14 Week(s) - 4 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 14 Week(s) - 5, 10 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 14 Week(s) - 7, 9, 11 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 16 Week(s) - 4 Thurs 12:00 - 12:50
Tutorial Offering 16 Week(s) - 5, 10 Thurs 12:00 - 12:50
Tutorial Offering 16 Week(s) - 7, 9, 11 Thurs 12:00 - 12:50
Tutorial Offering 17 Week(s) - 4 Mon 15:00 - 15:50
Tutorial Offering 17 Week(s) - 5, 10 Mon 15:00 - 15:50
Tutorial Offering 17 Week(s) - 7, 9, 11 Mon 15:00 - 15:50
Tutorial Offering 18 Week(s) - 4 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Tutorial Offering 18 Week(s) - 5, 10 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Tutorial Offering 18 Week(s) - 7, 9, 11 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Tutorial Offering 20 Week(s) - 4 Thurs 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 20 Week(s) - 5, 10 Thurs 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 20 Week(s) - 7, 9, 11 Thurs 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 22 Week(s) - 4 Wed 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 22 Week(s) - 5, 10 Wed 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 22 Week(s) - 7, 9, 11 Wed 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 23 Week(s) - 4 Wed 13:00 - 13:50
Tutorial Offering 23 Week(s) - 5, 10 Wed 13:00 - 13:50
Tutorial Offering 23 Week(s) - 7, 9, 11 Wed 13:00 - 13:50
Tutorial Offering 24 Week(s) - 4 Wed 12:00 - 12:50
Tutorial Offering 24 Week(s) - 5, 10 Wed 12:00 - 12:50
Tutorial Offering 24 Week(s) - 7, 9, 11 Wed 12:00 - 12:50
Tutorial Offering 27 Week(s) - 4 Fri 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 27 Week(s) - 5, 10 Fri 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 27 Week(s) - 7, 9, 11 Fri 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 28 Week(s) - 4 Fri 12:00 - 12:50
Tutorial Offering 28 Week(s) - 5, 10 Fri 12:00 - 12:50
Tutorial Offering 28 Week(s) - 7, 9, 11 Fri 12:00 - 12:50
Tutorial Offering 30 Week(s) - 4 Tues 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 30 Week(s) - 5, 10 Tues 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 30 Week(s) - 7, 9, 11 Tues 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 31 Week(s) - 4 Tues 13:00 - 13:50
Tutorial Offering 31 Week(s) - 5, 10 Tues 13:00 - 13:50
Tutorial Offering 31 Week(s) - 7, 9, 11 Tues 13:00 - 13:50
Tutorial Offering 32 Week(s) - 4 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 32 Week(s) - 5, 10 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 32 Week(s) - 7, 9, 11 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Autumn