GO UNIVERSITY  Ghana/Global 2016/17/18/19

BA International Relations Course  3 Years

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Overview

International relations explores how states interact with each other. This course offers you an historical understanding of the development of the ‘society of states’ and how it is changing today.

Taught by experts in a stimulating research environment, you’ll examine the ways in which states behave and what obligations they may have to wider conceptions of international society. You’ll explore the political dynamics that influence interstate cooperation, and the roles of international organisations like the UN in promoting international peace and security. Core modules will give you the opportunity to gain expertise in specific regions and states including the Middle East, EU, Africa and the United States. At the same time, a wide range of optional modules will allow you to explore specialist topics that suit your interests, from terrorism and security studies to development challenges, gender and violence or political theory.

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Course Content

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Core modules in Year 1 will equip you with the research and academic skills you need to study international relations. You’ll also gain an understanding of the historical development of states, the divide between the Global North and South and diverse political theories, while exploring current changes in the system of international politics and comparing the systems within different states. You can also start to put your studies into context, with optional modules on topics like development or British politics.

Year 2 allows you to build on this foundation, as you explore international organisations and their role in world order. You’ll develop a critical understanding of rival theories in international relations and examine important debates in security studies. The Approaches to Analysis module will help you improve your own research skills and give you an insight into the research methods used in the social sciences. A wider range of optional modules will allow you to focus on the political landscape in different countries or regions, and you could also choose a related module on development, public policy or a range of broader topics.

The only compulsory module in your final year will be your dissertation – an independently researched project on a topic of your choice, which showcases your knowledge and skills. In addition, you’ll complete your study with optional modules on topics as such as terrorism, UK foreign policy and Europe’s relationship with the wider global community. You can choose up to two optional modules from a range offered across the school in areas such as political psychology, the politics of aid or political theory.

Course Structure

Year 1

Compulsory modules

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• In Years 2 and 3 you'll also choose from the core modules below as well as an even wider range of optional modules.

• Compulsory modules

• Studying and Researching in POLIS 5 credits

• Comparative Politics 20 credits

• Making of the Modern World 20 credits

• International Politics 20 credits

• Freedom, Power and Resistance: An Introduction to Political Ideas 20 credits

• Optional modules

• British Politics 20 credits

• Global Development Challenges 20 credits

• Contemporary Africas: Politics, Society and the Environment 20 credits

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• Year 2

• Compulsory modules

• Theories of International Relations 20 credits

• Security Studies 20 credits

• Approaches to Analysis 20 credits

• Optional modules

• British Central Government 20 credits

• Politics and Policy in the EU 20 credits

• Comparative Politics of Pacific Asia 20 credits

• Politics of Contemporary China 20 credits

• State and Politics in Africa 20 credits

• United States Politics

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• Year 3

• Compulsory modules

• Dissertation 40 credits

• Optional modules

• British Foreign Policy 20 credits

• Politics of Islamism 20 credits

• Israel: Politics and Society 20 credits

• The Responsibility to Protect and to Prosecute 20 credits

• Crisis Diplomacy: Coercion, Sanctions and the Use of Force in International Relations 20 credits

• Learning and teaching

• You’ll be taught through lectures, tutorials, workshops and practical classes. You’ll enjoy extensive tutorial support and have freedom in your workload and options.

• Read more about teaching and assessment on the School website.

• Assessment

• You’re assessed by a range of methods, including formal exams and in-course assessment.

• Read more about teaching and assessment on the School website.

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• For more information on typical modules, read Actuarial Mathematics BSc in programme catalogue after enrollment