2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

PIED5505M International Relations I: International Thought in Historical Context

30 creditsClass Size: 120

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

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

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

This module aims 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. It aims to: (1) critically assess the many historical foundings of international thought and knowledge during the ‘long 19th Century’; (2) explore the historical emergence of key ideas of the 20th Century and their connection to state power in the core; (3) examining international thought and provide a critical assessment of how these ideas interact with anti-colonial thought to challenge (or reconstitute) the core-periphery structure of international society; and (5) explore the emergence and perspectives of ‘post-western’ IR theorising including reflections on ‘Global IR’ in terms of the past, present and future of the discipline.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Identify, explain and discuss key concepts and debates in the field of International Relations theory and how they evolved.
2. Question the assumptions of IR and generate new questions and knowledge.
3. Critically reflect on the historical emergence and grounding of international thought.
4. Discuss how the field of international thought helps to generate knowledge and critical reflection, but also how the field of international thought shows us the limits of such knowledge and critical reflection.

Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have be able to:
1. Argue coherently and effectively in a way that satisfactorily addresses a specific question.
2. Identify and analyse relevant information in order to develop and defend informed arguments.
3. Communicate the complexities of international thought accurately, effectively, and persuasively.
4.Manage time and meet deadlines.

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

Teaching methods

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

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
Assignment	Coursework	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: 29/04/2024 16:19:21

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