2023/24 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

PIED5505M International Relations I: International Thought in Historical Context

30 creditsClass Size: 60

Module manager: Dr Blake Lawrinson
Email: B.W.Lawrinson@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

This module is mutually exclusive with

PIED5578M

Theoretical Approaches in International Relations

Module replaces

PIED5578M Theoretical Approaches to IR

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module challenges the Euro-centricity of the 1919 ‘Myth’, which is that International Relations (IR) as a discipline was created by the response to war among European imperial powers. This is by introducing the concept of ‘Global IR’ to critically assess the many historical foundations and knowledge(s) of the IR discipline that pre-date 1919. The module begins by examining the foundations of international thought and its material context during the 'long 19th Century', with a particular focus on the material and ideational development of a ‘core-periphery’ international society based on conceptions of knowledge, modernity, rationalism, civilisation and race. This informs a critical analysis of the emergence of the 1919 ‘myth’ and the dominance of key ideas of the 20th century in the core. This includes liberal and realist approaches and their challenge by critical perspectives in the context of anti-colonial thought, decolonization, self-determination and the Cold War. The module then examines post-Cold War IR thought in relation to the unipolar international order and the ‘core-periphery’ relationship. Finally, the module examines perspectives on ‘post-western’ IR theorising and returns to ‘Global IR’ discourse in the context of reflections on the past, present and future of IR as a discipline.

Objectives

To challenge the Euro-centricity of the 1919 ‘Myth’, which is that International Relations (IR) as a discipline was created by the response to war among European imperial powers. This is by introducing ‘Global IR’ to critically assess the many historical foundings of international thought and knowledge during the ‘long 19th Century’, which pre-1919 and go beyond those reflected in the globalization of a European international society.

To understand the historical emergence of key ideas of the 20th Century and their connection to state power in the core. This is by examining international thought and knowledge during the interwar years, with a focus on the Realist critique of ‘utopianism’ and liberal internationalism more generally. This includes the development of rationalist debates during the Cold War era. It assesses how these ideas interact with anti-colonial thought to challenge (or reconstitute) the core-periphery structure of international society, contributing a new wave of decolonization and self-determination and how that process (again) became a matter of great power competition (e.g. Cold War proxy wars).

To understand the emergence and perspectives of ‘post-western’ IR theorising in the context of US relative decline, a changing international order and its relationship to calls to decolonize the discipline of IR. This includes reflections on ‘Global IR’ in terms of the past, present and future of the discipline.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students will know:

1. how international thought evolved to inform modern and contemporary International Relations Theory;
2. how to critically analyse established and original claims about international relations;
3. how to argue coherently and effectively in a way that satisfactorily addresses a specific question;
4. how to communicate the complexities of international thought in modern and contemporary times;
5. how to organise and present an effective essay;
6. how to manage their time to meet set deadlines.

Skills outcomes
The module assesses the skills involved in essay writing: research, writing, organisation, critical analysis and presentation.

Syllabus

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
seminars	11	2.00	22.00
Private study hours			278.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Private study

Students will be assigned text-based reading each week. They will need to read in order to summarise and critically assess that reading in the following week's class. Students will need to build on that reading in order to answer their assessment question.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will have the opportunity to submit 1000 words for formative feedback at a specified point of the module (likely week 7). This should either be an essay plan or essay draft, which students can use in preparation for their final essay.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1 x 4,000 words	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 25/08/2023 11:46:05

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