International Relations (MA)

Course Structure

The programme has three different components: core modules, elective modules and a research dissertation. Core Modules To acquire foundational knowledge and understanding in International Relations, students will take four core modules covering the evolution of International Relations as a discipline, issues of order, conflict and governance, and the trends toward globalisation, regionalisation and devolution. The first of those is core modules which provides the entry into the program is called ‘Theories and Issues in International Relations’ and in it we go through some of the key traditional and critical theories that make up the academic field of study of ‘international relations’ and apply each of those to contemporary issues of global politics such as war, diplomacy, migration and more. The second module is ‘International Political Economy’ which is a key aspect in understanding international relations. The module introduces students to theories and concepts in International Political Economy related to the exercise of power and authority and applies them to key topics and issues relating to the power and politics of economic organisation and management. The third core module is Introduction to Research Design which introduces students to key approaches to research design and allows them to engage with a wide array of research methods, while also introducing some of the contemporary debates in research in the social sciences and humanities. The module is unique in allowing students to tailor their experience by electing between a wide variety of workshops in accordance with their own research interest. For the last core module, students can choose between two options – International Terrorism or Contemporary Security – each module offering a different focus within international security. International Terrorism focuses on contemporary terrorist challenges and responses at a global level while the Contemporary Security examines the key theoretical approaches and practical issues and debates that have defined the evolution of Security Studies as a field. Elective Modules Beyond the four core modules, the programme provides students with a number of elective modules to choose from that will enable them to specialise in areas of interest, build on foundational knowledge, and develop focused expertise. The modules on offer may change from year to year. Some of the modules which have been on offer in recent years include: - The UK and Europe which offers students the opportunity to address core issues in Politics via a focus on the UK’s relationship with Europe in a time of flux; - Global Development which covers cutting-edge debates on the contemporary form and function of the policies, theories, and practices that comprise the field of Global Development; - The Politics and Institutions of Northern Ireland which explores contemporary developments in Northern Irish politics and discusses institutional design and politics in a changing Northern Ireland; - Conflict Intervention which looks at various conflict intervention practices in all phases of conflict from conflict prevention to post-conflict peacebuilding; - Ethnic Conflict and Consensus which examines concepts of ethnicity, national identity, and multiculturalism as they relate to contemporary conflict; - Institutions and Politics of the EU which explores the structure and institutions of the European Union (EU) as well as selected theoretical approaches to the study of European integration. - From Cold War to Cold Peace. Which examines the transformation of the International Order (1979-1999). - Freedom and Modernity which is devoted to exploring the nature of divergent interpretations of the nature of freedom, individual, social, and political - Engaging Citizens in Democratic Institutions which explores the relationship between citizens and political decision-making in contemporary democracies. Social Injustice which examines the problem of social injustice in contemporary, plural societies. Research Dissertation The research dissertation project is developed over the course of the programme through formal training in methodology and research design and individual supervision sessions with an academic subject-expert. Students will spend the final stage of the programme researching and writing, with the continued support of their supervisor.

People teaching you Dr Heather Johnson Senior Lecturer HAPP Dr Johnson’s research focuses on irregular migration and asylum seekers, border security, and the practices of resistance, solidarity and protest of non-citizens. She is interested in developing new understandings of mobility and non-citizenship, and particularly in new methods for engaging with these issues. Email: h.johnson@qub.ac.uk Dr Jack Taggart Senior Lecturer HAPP Dr Jack Taggart is a critical political economist. His work examines both the shifting politics of international development and the contested nature of contemporary global governance. Email: j.taggart@qub.ac.uk Dr Jamie Pow Senior Lecturer HAPP Dr Jamie Pow's research focuses on the way citizens interact with democratic decision-making, including through elections, mini-publics and referendums. He has a particular interest in the politics of Northern Ireland and recent projects have explored public opinion towards Brexit. Email: J.Pow@qub.ac.uk Dr Michael Bourne Reader HAPP Dr Mike Bourne’s research focuses on a wide range of security issues. He is interested in critical security theories, and the relations of materiality, technology, and violence. His work has engaged issues of arms control (from small arms to nuclear weapons), illicit trafficking, border control, and technology development. Email: m.bourne@qub.ac.uk Dr Peter McLoughlin Reader HAPP Dr Peter McLoughlin works in the broad field of contemporary political history in Ireland and Northern Ireland, with a particular focus on the Northern Ireland problem and peace process. Email: p.mcloughlin@qub.ac.uk Dr Shane Brighton Senior Lecturer HAPP Dr Shane Brighton researches the field of relations between armed conflict, identity and society. He has written on the philosophy and sociology of war, terrorism and counterterrorism and contemporary strategic debates. This work has particular relevance for understanding how societal dynamics relate to armed forces and foreign, defence and security policy. Email: s.brighton@qub.ac.uk Dr Stefan Andreasson Reader HAPP Dr Andreasson’s research is in comparative politics, the political economy of development and postcolonial politics, focussing on Southern Africa and the USA. He is currently researching the role of international oil companies in energy transitions and the future of fossil fuels. Email: s.andreasson@qub.ac.uk Dr Timofey Agarin Reader HAPP Dr Timofey Agarin is interested in relationships between the state and society, interrelations between the majority and the minority, issues relating to non-discrimination in the wider Europe and the impact of European integration broadly conceived on societal change and dynamics in political institutions. Email: t.agarin@qub.ac.uk Dr. Maria-Adriana Deiana Senior Lecturer HAPP Dr Maria Deiana's research deploys feminist and other critical perspectives to examine the interrelated issues of war, peace, security. Her monograph titled 'Gender and Citizenship: Promises of Peace in Post-Dayton Bosnia & Herzegovina' was published by Palgrave in 2018. She is Co-Director of the Centre for Gender in Politics. Email: M.Deiana@qub.ac.uk Professor Alfredo Saad Filho Programme Convenor HAPP Prof Saad Filho’s research focuses on neoliberalism, democracy and alternative economic policies, the political economy of development and industrial policy, political ecology and climate change, Latin American political and economic development, and the labour theory of value and its applications. Email: a.saadfilho@qub.ac.uk Professor David Phinnemore Professor HAPP Professor David Phinnemore’s research interests are focused on European integration and cover in particular processes of EU treaty reform and their impact on the EU, the political dynamics underpinning EU enlargement and the EU’s relations with European non-member states. Email: d.phinnemore@qub.ac.uk Professor John Barry Professor HAPP Professor John Barry's research interests are in green moral and political theory, particularly green republicanism; heterodox, green and post-growth political economy; the politics and political economy of sustainability transitions; the politics of climate breakdown and the political economy of low carbon energy transitions. Email: j.barry@qub.ac.uk Professor Muiris MacCarthaigh Professor HAPP Professor Muiris MacCarthaigh's research covers a variety of themes within and between political science, public policy and public administration. His current projects are concerned with how governments can best address the social impacts of Covid-19, the effects of technological advancement on public governance, and the evolution of public sector reforms. Email: m.maccarthaigh@qub.ac.uk

Teaching Times

Learning and Teaching

Students will be taught through a combination of individual supervision, lectures and seminars involving small group discussions and analytical exercises of various sorts. These can involve simulations, looking at original policy documents, theory application and analysis of film, television, and other popular culture items, book reports, alongside academic resources and analysis from think-tanks and other independent sources. Assessments could include individual and group work, participation in class debates and presentations, writing short policy recommendations and longer research essays In addition, students will have access to a range of visiting speakers, academic research seminars and other events of direct relevance to the programme such as international conferences and roundtables.

Cognitive and Transferable Skills

At the end of the programme learners will have the capacity to be self reflective and practice sound judgement, and will possess the necessary skills to enhance their ability, think critically and pursue independent research. The Postgraduate Masters in International Relations provides postgraduate learners with the opportunity to develop generic analytical, reasoning, literacy and communication skills.