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Introduction to International Politics - POL00003C

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  • Department: Politics and International Relations
  • Credit value: 30 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23 to Summer Term 2022-23

Module aims

  • The module introduces debates about the interrelations between inequality, development and conflict through a focus on changing forms of globalisation, international institutions and their impact at the local level.
  • Students research the role of globalisation and international institutions on the emergence of contemporary patterns of inequality and conflict.
  • Students working in small groups research country case studies to explore particular issues in depth.
  • Through individual and group tasks the module introduces students to the academic skills of finding sources, evaluating sources, constructing academic arguments, supporting arguments with credible evidence, referencing sources, and presenting arguments verbally and in written reports.

Module learning outcomes

After the module, the student will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the development of international institutions and their roles in contemporary issues of inequality, development and conflict;
  • Evaluate different theoretical approaches to issues in international politics and defend intellectual judgements using appropriate academic evidence and sources;
  • Analyse inequality, development and conflict in a particular country using appropriate theoretical approaches and academic evidence;
  • Identify independently appropriate academic information resource(s);
  • Evaluate the content of printed and electronic information sources;
  • Working in a small group, prepare a report analysing the inequality, development, conflict or international interventions in a particular country;
  • Present research reports to a larger group bringing out key findings to aid the learning of other students.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 40
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 60

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 40
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 60

Module feedback

Students will receive written timely feedback on their formative assessment. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor?s feedback and guidance hours.

Students will receive written feedback on their summative assessment no later than 20 working days after submission; and the module tutor will hold a specific session to discuss feedback, which students can also opt to attend. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor?s regular feedback and guidance hours.

Indicative reading

J. Baylis and S. Smith, eds, (2010) The Globalization of World Politics [5th Edition].

H. Schwartz (2010) States Versus Markets: The Emergence of a Global Economy [3rd Edition].



The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.