International Relations
Honours Options 2011-12
Meeting 22 March 2011
- Courses on Offer in 2011-2012
- Timetable
- How we allocate courses
- A reminder of degree requirements
- Course options for year abroad students
1. COURSES ON OFFER IN 2011-2012
SEMESTER 1 (* = convenor)
Compulsory course(s)
PLIT10053 Theories of International Relations (Convenor: Dr Andrew Neal)
This course discusses both theoretical and methodological debates in International Relations. By the end of the course, it is expected that students will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of key theories of international relations;
- Exhibit a strong understanding of competing analytical and ideological approaches for understanding the international system;
- Evaluate alternative explanations for particular developments and events in global politics and develop a personal assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the principal theories of international relations.
ASSESSMENT: 40% coursework, 60% exam.
PLIT10054 Global Justice and Citizenship(Convenor: ProfessorTim Hayward)
This course examines concepts central to political debate (such as justice, rights, freedom, obligation, and the 'good society') and investigates how political philosophers use these in trying to justify basic principles governing the activities of the state. We also consider how such principles might be justified and applied in contexts beyond the state. The literature studied is chiefly recent or contemporary and our focus is on current debates, including those on global distributive justice and cosmopolitan citizenship. A central concern throughout the course is distinguishing normative from explanatory or descriptive claims, of recognizing when an argument depends on empirical presuppositions, and of appreciating the basic logical structure of arguments.
ASSESSMENT: 40% coursework, 60% exam.
IR students must also take at least ONE of the following two Compulsory Courses (but don’t have to take both)
Compulsory Course 1:
PLIT10019 International Security (Convenor: Dr Claire Duncanson)
This course aims to provide a broad conceptual framework for understanding and analysing the post-Cold war security environment and for assessing the appropriate policy responses. This includes an assessment of how the main theories of International Relations provide insights into international security and the conditions for war and peace. An evaluation of the role of principal international and regional security institutions along with the policies of the most powerful states will be made. The implications of 9/11 and the emergence of the so-called 'new' security agenda will be made.
ASSESSMENT: 100% coursework (Policy Briefing 40%, essay 60%).
Compulsory Course 2:
PLIT10018 International Political Economy (Convenor: Dr Jamie Allinson)
This course introduces the subject area of international political economy. It is intended for students who have had no previous background in the subject or economics. It begins with a review of the principal theoretical approaches to the study of international political economy. It then examines the major issue areas in the post-war global economy, including: trade; international finance including debt crises; transnational corporations; and globalization and regionalization.
ASSESSMENT: 40% coursework, 60% exam.
HONOURS OPTIONS FOR SEMESTER 1
Methodology Optionfor the Social Sciences:
SCIL10062 Designing and Doing Social Research (Convenor: Dr Adi Bharadwaj, Sociology)
The course will teach you how to design and carry out social research through practical, hands-on experience. It provides an introduction to the key principles and procedures involved in social research, while also giving you the practical experience you need to confidently carry out your own research project. You will find it essential if your degree involves a dissertation or if you are thinking about a career in research, or if you just want to know how research is done. In addition, many different professional occupations require research skills and the ability to appreciate and assess research done by others.
ASSESSMENT: 100% coursework.
Honours Options (offered and administered by International Relations)
PLIT10061 Comparative Politics (Convenor: Dr. Pontus Odmalm)
Why does democracy work in some countries but not others? Does low voter turnout signal the death of democracy? Are dictatorships inevitable in some cultures? How can a comparative approach help us to answer these questions? These are some of the issues students will explore in this course. Drawing on a wide range of cases from around the world, this course will enable students to better understand debates surrounding key political institutions and processes by examining them in comparative context.
ASSESSMENT: 40% coursework, 60% exam.
PLIT10080Comparing Scottish Devolution (Convenor: Dr Nicola McEwen)
This course will teach you how to understand Scottish devolution by comparing it with other forms of territorial governance, especially devolution, federalism, multi-level governance, regionalism and nationalism. Reflecting on broader theories of nationalism, federalism and regionalism and bringing in examples from other multi-level polities in Europe, North America or beyond it seeks to answer the following questions: Why did the quest for Scottish devolution arise? What is Scotland’s constitutional power and would it make any difference if the UK was a federal state? Who pays for Scotland? Does policy divergence between the UK nations threaten citizenship rights? What is Scotland’s position in a Europe of the Regions? What has been the role of political parties and voters in Scotland in driving regional autonomy? What are intergovernmental relations for? Does the asymmetric constitutional arrangement in which self-rule only extends to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland turn the English into second class citizens? Does devolution put Scotland on a slippery slope towards secession?
ASSESSMENT: 50% essay, 50% research briefing.
PLIT10048 Contemporary Russian Politics (Convenor: DrLuke March)
This course introduces students to the politics and government of the Russian Federation. Format varies each year but follows the following general outline. It commences with an analysis of the disintegration of the Soviet state and its consequences. It then looks in detail at post Soviet state and institution building. Foci may vary but include party systems, civil society and human rights, democratisation in theory and practice, the nature of post communism, political culture and Russian nationalism. Russian international relations vis-à-vis the EU and post Soviet states will also be analysed. The course aims to provide students with critical and conceptual awareness of the following key areas:
- The actors and institutions involved in state and institution building within Russia and the post Soviet states
- The nature of political change in Russia
- Russian political culture, beliefs and values
- Russian foreign policy
ASSESSMENT: 10% tutorial participation, 40% coursework, 50% exam.
PLIT10063 Human Rights and International Relations (Convenor: Dr Andrea Birdsall)
What role do Human Rights play in international relations today? This course examines the interaction between politics and law in the enforcement of international human rights. The course aims to give a general understanding of the role of human rights in the post-Cold War world and how these rights are enforced by states. It discusses relations between order, stability and justice. The course pays considerable attention to issues of universality of human rights and particularly the problem of enforcement. The course analyses current issues and debates of military humanitarian interventions as well as judicial interventions such as the ad hoc war crimes tribunals and the International Criminal Court.
ASSESSMENT: 40% coursework, 60% exam.
PLIT10082 Introduction to African Politics(Convenor: Dr Alex Beresford)
The course considers African politics from within the framework of Comparative Politics. It compares and contrasts different approaches to studying African politics. It emphasizes the dynamic nature of African political systems. Particular themes to be examined include Nationalism, Democratisation, Civil Society, Ethnicity, Class, Gender, Religion and Identity. It is expected that all students, on completion of this course, will have achieved a number of learning outcomes: to understand the recent history and contemporary politics of particular African countries; analyse and explain the political processes and institutions of African countries; to situate theses processes in their social and economic context.
ASSESSMENT: 40% coursework, 10% tutorial participation, 50% exam.
PLIT10036 Politics of the Middle East (Convenor: Dr. Adham Saouli)
The aim of this course is to provide an introduction to the politics of the Middle East. This will include analysis of the growth and nature of the state in the Middle East; the prevalence of authoritarianism, neo-patrimonialism and processes towards democratisation: the salience of Arab nationalism and Islamism: the roots of some of the conflicts in the region, such as the Arab-Israeli conflict; and the role of external powers and their influence on the politics of the region.
ASSESSMENT: 40% coursework, 60% exam.
PLIT10027 US Government (Convenor: Dr Ryan Beasley)
This course examines the primary actors, ideas, and institutions comprising United States (US) government. It begins with an introduction to core 'American' political values and beliefs shaping US government. It then analyses the role of the US Constitution and federalism before examining three major institutions of US government: the Congress, the Presidency and Judiciary, and debates surrounding their operation. Competing analytical approaches to understanding US government (including elite theory and pluralism and their modern variants) will be applied and critically evaluated throughout the course.
ASSESSMENT: 5% tutorial assessment, 35% coursework, 60% exam.
Honours Options, offered and administered by other subjects in the School (but with open access to IR students)
SSPS10001 Contemporary Feminist Debates (Convenor: Professor Lynn Jamieson, Sociology)
This course draws upon expertise across the social sciences at Edinburgh to introduce students to the main approaches to the interdisciplinary study of gender and to provide grounding to major feminist debates in the field. It examines the development of feminist social and political thought from the 1960s onwards and relates theory to 'real life' issues and debates. Topics include: gender and power, feminist debates on equality and difference, masculinities in the military, gender and technology, feminism and multiculturalism, and post-feminism.
ASSESSMENT: 100% coursework.
SCPL10021 International Criminal Justice: Policy & Politics (Convenor: Dr Andy Aitchison, Social Policy)
This course aims to introduce students to comparative analysis of policy, and its benefits and limitations, through the example of criminal justice policies and practices; to develop their knowledge of international dimensions in criminal justice policy, including regional bodies such as the EU and Council of Europe; and to introduce students to recent work on policy and governance which ties in to international developments.
ASSESSMENT: course assessed by means of one bibliographic/review exercise and one essay.
SCIL10065 Nations & Nationalism (Convenor: Dr James Kennedy, Sociology)
The course aims to examine major modes of explaining nationalism, and to relate nationalism to other key themes in sociology. It begins by examining key concepts, theories and typologies of nationalism, particular attention is focused on the civic/ethnic distinction. Thereafter the course seeks to explore the relationship between nationalism and other social and political processes, such as language, religion, class, gender, political regulation and globalisation. Throughout an attempt is made to use substantive case material to inform an understanding of nationalism.
ASSESSMENT: tbc at first meeting of class (a combination of coursework and/ or exams).
SEMESTER 2
Compulsory Course:
PLIT10060 Approaches to Politics and International Relations (Convenor: Dr Wilfried Swenden)
This core course will familiarize students with key theoretical approaches to politics and international relations. Several different analytical perspectives - rational choice theory, institutionalism and social constructivism as well as Marxism, feminism and postcolonialism - will be introduced and applied to contemporary, real world problems.
ASSESSMENT: 40% courswork, 60% exam
Honours Options
Optional Course in Methodology for the Social Sciences
SCIL10063 Doing Survey Research
(Convenor: DrAlison Koslowski, organized by Sociology)
This course is designed to meet the needs of those students who want to develop their knowledge of survey methods, introductory statistics and quantitative data analysis. You will learn how to access and analyse extensive secondary data, to create and analyse large survey data using the leading social scientific software for the analysis of statistical data, SPSS. The course addresses issues in the understanding of different forms of data, a range of survey research issues, and in reviewing aspects of social survey research methods encourages you to critically assess theory and explore productive ways of examining aspects of human experience. You will develop your skills in a range of data analysis techniques and have an opportunity to think about the kinds of decisions you may have to make in developing your project/dissertation. The course includes an introduction to social surveys and statistics, and specific techniques of data analysis are developed by examining a number of contemporary social surveys. You will have a chance in the course for hands-on work using the most up to date computing hardware and software.
ASSESSMENT: Two take-home exercises (50%). One take-home examination (50%).
Honours Options (offered and administered by International Relations)
PLIT10003 Africa in World Politics (Convenor: Dr Sara Rich Dorman)
An examination of the interaction of three tendencies in African Politics: Nationalism, Regionalism, & Internationalism. The course will examine the nature of Africa's integration into the world economy and political systems; the cold war and post-cold war periods; the changing relations within and between Africa's states and regions; and changing relations between Africa's States and external organizations, with an emphasis on development policy.
ASSESSMENT: 40% coursework, 10% tutorial participation, 50% exam.
Code TBC Contemporary British Politics (Convenor: Dr Patrick Bell)
This module is concerned with the domestic and global context in British politics. The domestic focuses on the main political parties in government and opposition since 1979, and constitutional reform since 1997; the global on the environment, European Union and Britain's place in the world in the twenty-first century. Parliamentary sovereignty and democratic accountability are two themes of the module. The historical context is post-1945. To understand the way Britain has been governed since 1979, we need to understand the way it was governed after 1945. Through close analysis of contemporary issues in British politics, the module anticipates how Britain is likely to be governed in the future.
ASSESSMENT: 40% coursework, 60% exam.
PLIT10085 Contemporary War: Understanding Change & Continuity (Convenor: Dr Colin Fleming)
This course provides students with the theoretical and conceptual foundation to understand change and continuity in contemporary conflict, and acts as a platform to think about the place and role of war in the modern security environment. Exploring the ongoing debates regarding the changing nature and character of war, the course balances analysis of these debates with comprehension of how these translate to the practical use of military force in the modern world. The course critically engages with contemporary debates and requires students to assess and explore this discourse in relation to traditional approaches to strategic and security studies. It begins by introducing students to the conceptual problems attached to the identification of war as a social phenomenon. Using this as a basis for debate, the course then explores the utility of the military instrument (particular its relationship to the state), the role of technology (the Revolution in Military Affairs debate), the ideas the new war thesis, the place of the ‘great strategic thinkers’, asymmetric warfare and terrorism, as well as examining debate surrounding the issue of victory and defeat in modern war.
ASSESSMENT: 40% coursework, 10% tutorial presentation, 50% exam.
PLIT10086 Democratisation and Europeanisation in Central and Eastern Europe (Convenor: Dr Valentyna Romanova)
This course is aimed at providing students with an understanding of democratisation and Europeanisation in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) inside and outside the European Union. Despite special attention to Europe as a subject of research and teaching at PIR, there are no courses which study CEE in its own terms. The proposal suggests filling this niche by examining the drivers and constraints for democratisation in CEE and investigating the role of the EU in this context. The questions to examine include: How do state formation and nation building in CEE correlate with European integration? What is the interplay between post-communist legacies and the trajectories of democratisation in CEE? What are the crucial differences between the EU enlargement and neighbourhood policies?
The course will cover democratisation and Europeanisation in CEE since 1989 till nowadays. This timing will stimulate students to pay special attention to the issue of path-dependency, as well as to follow the news on the latest political changes in the region. The main case studies for the course will be the CzechRepublic, Poland, and Ukraine; however, it will occasionally refer to democratisation and Europeanisation in other CEE states except for the Balkans.
ASSESSMENT: 40% coursework, 10% tutorial presentation, 50% exam.
PLIT10049 Environmental Politics (Convenor: DrElizabeth Bomberg)
This course examines European environmental politics from a comparative and international perspective. Following an introduction to the debates and concepts central to understanding environmental politics in comparative perspective, the course explores key actors and dynamics shaping national environmental policy and politics in Europe. The knowledge of national differences will be the base from which to study the European Union's unique role in shaping national, transnational and international environmental policy. The final weeks will concentrate on the international nature and impact of environmental issues.
ASSESSMENT: 5% tutorial assessment, 35% coursework, 60% exam.
PLIT10062 EU as a Global Actor (Convenor: DrChad Damro)
The precise nature of the European Union (EU) remains problematic for traditional explanations of international relations. The EU is neither a state nor an international organization. This course investigates the politics and legal measures that determine the extent to which the EU is a global actor. The course introduces theoretical and conceptual approaches to understanding the EU as a global actor. These theories and concepts are evaluated in a variety of international policy areas: trade/economic policy, environmental policy, development/humanitarian assistance policy, and security policy. The course also explores the EU’s varied relations with its peripheries, other regional groupings and selected individual countries.