IR2006 Studying International Relations

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

20

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 8

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

4.00 pm Tue, Thu

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr H Lai

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Various

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Building on IR2005's discussion of theoretical approaches to International Relations, this module will explore the process of studying International Relations, via a close examination of a range of contemporary issues in world politics and the application of theory to these issues. The introduction to the module will address the relationship of theory and methods, frame the research process and address important questions about research data. Each of the following weeks will then focus on a contemporary issue in International Relations in order to interrogate how IR scholars engage in socio-political investigation of important and timely issues. As such, this module forms a vital bridge into the Honours level study of IR.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS IR2005

Assessment pattern

50% Coursework, 50% written examination

Re-assessment

100% written examination

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2x 1-hour lectures (x 10 weeks), 1 x 1-hour tutorial (x 10 weeks), 1 consultation hour with Tutor (x 10 weeks) and 2 consultation hours with Year Coordinator (x 12 weeks).2 hours of exam feedback are given in week 1 of the following semester.

Scheduled learning hours

32

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

177

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Develop an understanding of the diversity of research methods which can be employed in the study of world politics
  • Develop understanding of the importance, and consequences, of theoretical and methodological choices to the study of world politics
  • Gain the ability to gather and evaluate arguments and data from different sources
  • Continue to develop the ability to apply theories to the study of international politics
  • Further develop writing and verbal communication skills