International Studies (Environment) – (M.A.)

Contents

Course length

Full-time: MA: 12 months; PGDip: 9 months; PGCert: 9 months
Part-time: MA: 24 months; PGDip: 18 months; PGCert: 18 months

Students studying for the MA/PG Dip in International Studies (International Relations) are required to complete the following three compulsory modules during Semester 1 (20 credits each):

International Relations in Theory and Practice provides an advanced investigation into theoretical approaches in the discipline of international relations, as well as an overview of contemporary debates. It aims to establish a clear understanding of the role and purpose of theory, and its relation to substantive issues in international relations.

Global Political Economy examines the emerging global political economy through the vantage point of competing theoretical perspectives and the evolution of these perspectives, resulting from theoretical debates and the progressive encounter with empirical developments. Different theories reveal different aspects and dimensions of the global political economy and they are used to present key historical developments and contemporary issues of the global political economic order.

Readings in Social Science provides a critical introduction to the practices and controversies of contemporary social analysis and their relevance to substantive research. Its overall aim is to identify and analyse the bases - and hence implications - of the methodological choices social scientists make. Particular attention is paid to meta-theoretical controversies that have surfaced in social science over recent years and decades. Rather than remaining deracinated, these points of controversy are rooted in concrete examples and substantive debates - with an emphasis on their implications for concrete research projects and relevance for the techniques of contemporary political analysis.

In Semester 2 you take 'Global Politics and the Environment' and 'Research Methods in the Social Sciences' (20 credits each) plus you can choose any one of the other options listed below (20 credits)*:

Global Politics and the Environment

Critically investigates the way in which the tensions brought about by the global environmental crisis have been addressed globally, looking at institutional, conceptual ideological, socio-cultural and political economic facets.

Research Methods in the Social Sciences

Aims to acquaint students with basic social science research methods so that they can understand how evidence is produced and critically appraise the research they use. It includes discussion of research strategies and study design; research ethics; principles and methods of sampling; questionnaire design, interviewing and focus groups; principles of qualitative, documentary and survey analysis; comparative historical analysis; statistical analysis using SPSS; presenting findings and writing up research.

Global Governance, Civil Society and Social Movements

Investigates the institutions of global governance and the dynamics of civil society, understood as the space for interaction between institutions and non-state actors. It looks at the existing architecture of global governance and the competing theories and approaches to analysing these phenomena. It also asks questions about the accountability and legitimacy of the institutions and processes of global governance and evaluates the potential for improving global governance. Linked to this, the module will critically evaluate the role of civil society as a democratising force in global governance.

International Development

Since the end of the Cold War one of the key dynamics in world politics, namely the gap between rich and poor, has come into sharper focus. This module examines both the theory and practice of the international politics of development. The first half of the module looks at key theoretical debates and how these have related to practice. Various contemporary issues in development are then explored to illustrate the theoretical debates. These will include the Third World Debt Crisis, fair trade, development assistance, sustainable development and the resource curse thesis.

Global Theory: From Kant to Hardt and Negri

Examines the conceptions of the world, its history and relations that inform the theories of Kant, Hegel, and Marx and relates these global theories to contemporary notions of globalisation maintained by contemporary theorists such as Held and Hardt and Negri. The past is brought to bear upon the present to appraise the distinctness of contemporary theory and relevance of the past to the present.

Citizenship in Theory and Practice

Looks at the status of citizenship in the contemporary world. Traditionally, citizenship has spoken to the relationship between the state and its individual members. However, many social, political and economic changes have brought into question the nature of this relationship in contemporary world politics, and the possibility of the emergence of post-national forms of citizenship is raised. The module will look at the theoretical approaches to citizenship and will then go on to use them to assess contemporary social, political and economic developments. These are likely to include changes in patterns of political participation, restructuring of welfare states, questions of identity, particularly involving migration, and economic changes, including globalisation and the role of the European Union.

Gender in a Global Context

Focuses on how processes of global social change affect gender relations locally, nationally and internationally. It will examine the various ways in which social scientists have made sense of gender and gender inequalities, including current theory and research on men and masculinities. The changing relationships between states, markets and households will be a key theme of this module.

Independent study allows you to undertake a programme of study of your own choosing that is then agreed with a member of staff.

Dissertation

MA students are required to complete a 15,000-word dissertation on a topic related to any aspect of international relations as agreed with the dissertation module leader. Students are asked to work on their initial proposal during Semester 2. The main work on the dissertation will normally take place from June to early September. The dissertation also involves a presentation at the annual Postgraduate Day which is held every summer. This event brings together a guest speaker from outside the university, research students and all postgraduate students on the international studies courses.

Students taking the postgraduate certificate are required to complete 'International Relations in Theory and Practice', 'Global Political Economy' and one optional module from the list above.