Key facts
Course details for 2009 cohort
Level 1 - 12 credits - autumn term
E-learning links
Resources
Timetable Link
Course handbook 09/10
Course description
Course outline
This course introduces students to the academic study of international relations. The course outlines the specific characteristics of International Relations (IR) as a distinct scholarly discipline, separate from other disciplines such as politics or sociology. The course considers what has defined IR as a distinct academic discipline and what constitutes its core conceptual and methodological coordinates at the present time. The course approaches these questions through a consideration of the historical development of IR through a series of conceptual and methodological debates. Classically these debates are conceived of as tracing a path from idealism via realism to a pluralist methodological position. Understanding these debates, the circumstances that have given rise to them, and the methods they have generated will give students a good orientation in the disciplinary terrain of IR that will help them in contextualizing the ideas they will encounter in the International Theory courses in Year 2.
Learning outcomes
1. Understand the reasons for IR as a separate social science.
2. Understand the historical development of the IR as a discipline.
3. Develop an initial understanding of the main IR paradigms .
4. Understand the relationship between theory and practise in IR.
Assessments
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 100.00% | |
| Essay (2000 words) | Autumn Week 10 | 100.00% |
Resit mode of assessment
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Essay (2000 words) | Summer Vacation Week 10 Thu 16:00 | 100.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
Teaching methods
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | LECTURE | 1 hour | 1111111111 |
| Autumn Term | SEMINAR | 1 hour | 1111111111 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Contact details
Mr Zdenek Kavan
Assess convenor
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/justice/profile1451.html
Dr Sergio Catignani
Assess convenor, Convenor
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/ir/profile240798.html