Explore UCD

UCD Home >

INRL20040

Academic Year 2024/2025

Theories and Concepts in International Relations (INRL20040)

Subject:
International Relations
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Politics & Int Relations
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Joshua Alley
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

What drives conflict and cooperation in international relations? Why do countries fight? Why do countries trade? When do international organizations matter? Can countries work together to protect the environment? What leads to civil war and state collapse?

This course explores all these questions and more. We will do so by looking carefully at different theories and concepts scholars have used to understand and explain international relations. These include big paradigms like realism, liberalism and constructivism, as well as more focused concepts like deterrence, comparative advantage, and the tragedy of the commons.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, you will...
• Identify multiple ways of analyzing international politics.
• Understand common motivations, interests and problems in international relations.
• Practice using different concepts and skills to understand international relations.
• Be better positioned to assess international relations policies.

Indicative Module Content:

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

96
Lectures

22
Tutorial

7
Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module consists of lectures and tutorials which students are required to attend. Students should complete the relevant readings prior to each lecture.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Students intending to take this course should already have successfully completed Level one modules in Politics including INRL10040 - Introduction to International Politics or INRL10010 - Foundation of Political Theory and IR.

Learning Recommendations:

Students intending to take other courses in International Relations at Levels 2 or 3, or who want to learn more about international politics generally should take this course.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
International Relations (POL20040)


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): Mid-term exam covering the first half of the course material. Week 6 Graded No
25
 No
Exam (In-person): Final exam covering all course content End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
25
 No
Participation in Learning Activities: Answering in-class poll questions throughout the trimester. Graded on participation, not accuracy. Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Graded No
15
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Tutorial critical analysis- essay written in groups during tutorials. Week 10 Graded No
20
 No
Participation in Learning Activities: Tutorial Participation Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Graded No
15
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Two in-class exercises allow students to ascertain their knowledge of the module content throughout the term. Students will also receive feedback on their tutorial essays.

Name Role
Austin Gregory Tutor
Mr Jonas Poulsen Tutor
Susanna Shepard Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 3 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Thurs 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 3 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 9, 11 Tues 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 9, 11 Mon 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 3 Week(s) - 3, 5, 7, 10, 12 Mon 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 9, 11 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 5 Week(s) - 3, 5, 7, 10, 12 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 6 Week(s) - 3, 5, 7, 10, 12 Tues 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 9 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 9, 11 Wed 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 10 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 9, 11 Wed 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 11 Week(s) - 3, 5, 7, 10, 12 Wed 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 12 Week(s) - 3, 5, 7, 10, 12 Wed 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 13 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 9, 11 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 14 Week(s) - 3, 5, 7, 10, 12 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 15 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 9, 11 Thurs 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 16 Week(s) - 3, 5, 7, 10, 12 Thurs 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 18 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 9, 11 Tues 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 20 Week(s) - 3, 5, 7, 10, 12 Tues 13:00 - 13:50
Print this page
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.