International Relations (MA)

What you will study

The structure of the MA gives you the flexibility to design your own degree. Taught modules are completed in the first two semesters of the degree. Within the four electives listed below you will study such themes as Contemporary Theories of Global Politics, Politics of The Global South, Issues in Global Development, Diplomacy and US Foreign Policy. The topics may change in a given semester. In your third semester you will complete your research dissertation and, should you choose to do one, also your internship.

Programme Specification Themes As part of your MA programme you will study a broad array of themes and topics in International Relations and Global Politics including: Global development and development practices Global structures of inequality International conflict and war The management of conflict and security issues Environment sustainability Concepts and practical skills of foreign policy decision-making Risk and change in diplomacy The causes of insurgency and strategies for counter-insurgency The promotion and enforcement of human rights Students enrol in four core modules and select two electives. In your third semester you will complete your research dissertation and, should you choose to do one, also your internship. Courses INR 7100 Research Methodology Introduces students to the process of social science research, including the ability to work from libraries and institutional archives, and developing skills in academic research design and methods, with a focus on the field of international relations and global politics. Students are encouraged to develop independent thought by discovering, evaluating, and making appropriate use of a wide range of approaches to research and associated academic writing. This course assists students with the identification of their own research interests as they move towards choosing a thesis topic and develop a research question and project plan, while introducing students to some of the key qualitative and quantitative research methods used in the discipline. INR 7101 International Relations Theory & Concepts This course engages students with the theoretical and conceptual debates that characterise the field of International Relations. Students examine a range of primary texts, both classical (such as Thucydides and Machiavelli) and more contemporary (such as Morgenthau, Bull, Wendt, Mearsheimer, and Keohane). The scholars that are addressed have underpinned the schools of thought that define International Relations theory. The course also addresses broader questions of IR theory: the applicability of theory to contemporary events and the degree to which continuity and change characterise the subject. INR 7107 Sustainable Development & Global Political Economy This course will examine the global political economy as it structures opportunities and constraints on international development. The course aims to transcend state-centric approaches, looking at multiple issues and actors from an interdisciplinary perspective. The course will study different conceptualisations of the international political economy, linking changes in global production (as well as trade and finance) to changing understandings of – and opportunities for - development. The course will allow students to develop a range of perspectives on global debates concerning economic and social inequality. The legacy of colonialism, democratisation, the role of inter-state and non-state actors, and ‘everyday’ issues of gender, class, and ethnicity are addressed along with consideration of environmental sustainability. INR 7109 International Conflict, War and Peace This course addresses core aspects of the study of international conflict and war in both theory and practice, providing advanced engagement with the theoretical and philosophical aspects of conflict, dynamics and causes of conflict, and its prevention, including the changing character of war and its impact on contemporary societies. In addition, the course examines the relationship between security and insecurity, and the politics of violence at the international level. Throughout the course, students will engage with case studies of international conflict, security and peace, conflict resolution and prevention, which are used to ground the theoretical and conceptual discussion in clear empirical contexts. Electives INR 7306 Insurgency, Terrorism and Civil War The course addresses contemporary issues of political violence and conflicts involving sub-state and non-state actors. We discuss the history of insurgency, from postcolonial movements to anti-globalisation insurgencies and beyond, and critically examine the controversies around their political legitimacy and tactics. We also examine debates around understanding terrorism and explore strategies of counterterrorism. The course also introduces students to debates about the causes of civil wars, and examines the motivations for fighting, civilian targeting, and mass violence, along with state and where appropriate inter-state or international responses. INR 7108 Media, Digital Diplomacy & International Organisation This course explores the role of the media as an actor in international politics, diplomacy and society. To that end, the course asks whether and how issues of corporate ownership affect the agendas of a variety of media actors. The course will specifically look into the agenda-setting powers of the media in the areas of diplomacy, foreign policy, war and conflict resolution, environmental protection, international development, democracy and global justice campaigns. It will also analyse how states, international organisations, terrorist organisations and actors from the global civil society use and respond to the media through strategies of news management, public and cultural diplomacy, propaganda and censorship. Finally, the course will consider the manner in which journalists and newsmakers gather, produce and disseminate information. INR 7428 Human Rights and Global Politics This course offers an in-depth examination of the concept and practice of human rights through the lens of global politics. The course explores theoretical and historical assessments of the origins and theoretical foundations of the concept of human rights across a range of traditions, from liberalism to Marxism and post-colonialism. It further examines and evaluates the legacy of ideals of human rights within Western and non Western contexts and the problem of universalism in particular. The course will chart the expansion of liberal conceptions of right and will interrogate tensions between state sovereignty and principles of universal right. The course will closely examine a number of international rights regimes and students will have an opportunity to assess the work of international organisations, non-governmental organisations, states and other actors in the enforcement and promotion of human rights. This course may be co-taught with INR6405 International Human Rights. INR 7113 Diplomacy, Decision-Making and Foreign Policy Diplomacy and foreign policy are central features of international politics. This course provides students with an opportunity to examine and critically evaluate the decisional dynamics underpinning foreign policy and diplomacy. The course incorporates a significant practical element, whilst being firmly grounded within contemporary academic debates across both the study of diplomacy, foreign policy and related institutions through both history and theory. The course considers the important interaction between international and domestic politics and the impact the latter has on the formulation and implementation of diplomatic practice and foreign policy. The course covers a wide range of issues such as foreign policy formulation and implementation; economic diplomacy; the art of decision-making; the foreign policy of states in key regions; the use (and misuse) of foreign policy tools such as economic aid, sanctions, coercive diplomacy and deterrence. plus EITHER INR 7902 Internship A 3-5/days a week work placement of approximately three months (depending on the requirements of the organization in question; a minimum of 9 weeks) within an organization to enable students to participate in graduate level experiential learning and so develop hands-on skills and professional experience which will prepare them for work in the field of international relations. Placements are supervised, career-related work experiences combined with reflective, academic study that help students ‘learn by doing’. During the internship, the staff of the Internship Office and the MA internship faculty supervisor work closely with each student and the organisation to ensure that the placement is a successful one. INR 7500 Thesis Research For students working independently on their Masters thesis. The dissertation encourages students to study intensively a topic agreed with a supervisor, and so develop skills and experience which can be applied in work placements or further graduate work. The course is comprised of independent research and writing, overseen by a thesis supervisor, resulting in production of a 10-12,000 word thesis. Collaborative and supportive dialogue with the supervisor and fellow ‘junior research colleagues’ will involve advice on the research and writing process, suggestions for resources and research directions, and comments on draft chapters of the thesis. OR INR 7550 Extended Thesis Research (Students not completing the internship complete an extended thesis of 12/60 credits) For students working independently on their Masters thesis. An extended thesis of 15,000-20,000 words is offered as an alternative to the mandatory internship. The dissertation encourages students to study intensively a topic agreed with a supervisor, and so develop skills and experience which can be applied in work placements or further graduate work. The course is comprised of independent research and writing, overseen by a thesis supervisor, resulting in production of a 15,000-20,000 word thesis. Collaborative and supportive dialogue with the supervisor and fellow ‘junior research colleagues’ will involve advice on the research and writing process, suggestions for resources and research directions, and comments on draft chapters of the thesis.

International Relations, (MA) 2024-25 Specification Document (PDF)

The information above is intended as an example only, featuring course details for the current year of study. In addition to the courses outlined above, there may be open electives. Course content and delivery can be subject to change. For more detailed information on the programme specification, please find more details here .