Undergraduate Prospectus 2009

International relations

Why international relations?

In today’s increasingly interdependent and turbulent world, many of the leading issues in the news concern international affairs. Whether it is the continuing impact of globalisation, the military conflicts in the Gulf or Afghanistan, the inequalities of wealth and power between north and south or the activities of international organisations such as the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund and the United Nations, the subject of international relations is now directly involved in people’s daily lives.

However, a degree in international relations takes you far beyond the headlines, enabling you to reflect in a systematic and informed way on the deeper issues behind the news. In particular it:

• introduces you to the social, economic and political history of the international system as it has emerged and developed over the last 200 years;
• provides you with the ideas of key classical and modern thinkers who have analysed world politics and have argued over its rights and wrongs;
• gives you the opportunity to develop focused knowledge and understanding in specialised areas
• of your choice such as international law, global environmental change, international organisation, security studies and so on.

Why international relations at Sussex?

• We achieved 23 out of 24 for teaching in the last Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) assessment.
• One of the longest established international relations departments in the UK.
• Faculty research is at the radical forefront of contemporary international thought.
• Our thriving undergraduate programme takes in over 100 students every year.
• Our degree programmes combine traditional approaches with introductions to the latest ideas.
• Our student body is truly international.

What sort of career could I have?

• non-governmental organisations (eg Oxfam, Save the Children)
• international organisations (eg UN, World Bank)
• government ministries
• multinational business
• the media
• academia.

How will I learn?

Teaching methods change as you become an increasingly independent, self-directed learner. Core courses in the first and second years are taught by weekly lectures and group discussions, while final-year courses are based entirely on seminar teaching. Similarly, the pattern of assessment is designed to promote different kinds of intellectual and practical skills at each stage, reflecting your developing academic independence.

What will I achieve?

• A rigorous grounding in the subject. You will gain an understanding of the core concepts and questions that define international relations: familiarity with the key theoretical traditions of international relations as an academic discipline; a knowledge of the history of modern international relations; awareness of the major practical, political and moral challenges facing contemporary global society; the ability to use a variety of intellectual approaches when analysing international events and processes, and an in-depth understanding of your chosen specialist areas.
• A range of intellectual skills: for example, in the retrieval and use of primary and secondary information sources and in presenting concise, critical and cogently structured arguments, both orally and in writing.
• Practical skills, such as the ability to work both independently and in cooperation with others, the ability to deploy a range of communication and information technology skills, and the ability to reflect upon and take responsibility for your own learning, making use of constructive feedback.

‘I chose international relations because of the diversity of courses involved and because I felt it would enable me to gain a general understanding of the modern world.

‘The way the seminars are conducted entails a personal critical approach to the subject and, in my opinion, this is a very important aspect of my academic education.

‘I am particularly impressed with Sussex’s open-minded ambience – it helps make it the perfect place to be.’

Kerstin Schwarz

‘Sussex has an outstanding reputation for international relations and was my first choice when considering where to go for my degree (my choice was made between universities in the UK, Belgium and France). Its faculty are among the best in the world and there isn’t a more international environment in which to study than the diverse and fascinating student body at Sussex.

‘I’ve always wanted to work internationally and, since leaving Sussex, I’ve lived and worked in five countries on two continents. My current job sends me travelling across the globe. This is what I’ve always wanted and international relations was the right preparation for the challenge.

‘My studies at Sussex helped me better understand the world we live in, and made me understand how decisions are reached and how to influence them. In the world of communications and public affairs, such an understanding is critical to success.’

Chris Burghardt Vice-President, Business Development and Marketing, Hill and Knowlton