INRL20040

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, you should:
• Develop a broad understanding of the main theories in the study of international relations.
• Be better positioned to assess international politics using major theoretical and conceptual frameworks.
• Know how world politics is commonly analyzed by political scientists.
• Practice using different concepts and skills to understand international relations.

Indicative Module Content:

• International history until the 20th century
• IR history and globalization
• International history since the Cold War
• IR theories: Realism
• IR theories: Liberalism
• IR theories: Constructivism
• Classical IR theories
• IR theories: Marxism
• IR theories: Critical approaches
• The (nation-)state
• Nationalism and national self-determination
• Critical IR theories and the state
• International law and organizations
• Diplomacy and the United Nations
• Civil society organizations
• Global trade, finance, and political economy
• Reading week
• Global governance
• War and peace, international security, and humanitarian intervention
• Nuclear proliferation and terrorism
• Human rights, poverty, and development
• Race and gender
• Global issues
• Refugees and forced migration
• Global environment and health
• Possible futures of world politics

Student Effort Hours:

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:

Teaching and learning approaches:

This module consists of lectures and seminars which students are required to attend. Students should complete the relevant readings and tasks in preparation for each lecture and seminar. Every student will be asked to write a paper and present it in class. Finally, students will prepare for a in-person closed-book exam on all course contents at the end of the year.


Use of AI tools:

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools may be used to help your research process. However, note that they should be used with caution due to inaccuracies and other flaws. Students should thoroughly check and question any output that their AI tools provide and must provide manually verified sources other than AI tools’ outputs. The nature and extent of the use of AI tools (if any) must be clearly declared and elaborated in any output. Students are ultimately responsible for their work, including any errors that were introduced by the AI tools they may use.

AI tools may not be used to replace students’ independent work process. If students are suspected of using AI to produce substantial portions of their work, instead of doing so themselves, this will be interpreted as a breach of academic norms and may result in serious consequences such as failing this module. In sum, this course’s policy on the use of AI tools is "yellow" in the UCD traffic light system. When in doubt about the use of AI, please speak to your tutor first.

Please refer to UCD’s guide on the use of AI for further information: https://www.ucd.ie/artshumanities/study/aifutures/generativeaifaqs/

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

 

Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

- Peer review of students' presentations in-class - Individual feedback to students on their individual projects - Individual feedback to students on their exams

See the syllabus on Brightspace.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.