Postgraduate Module Descriptor

POC1021: Key Concepts in Politics and International Relations

This module descriptor refers to the 2022/3 academic year.

Please note that this module is only delivered on the Penryn Campus.

Module Aims

This module aims to provide you with a solid foundation in the basic concepts and theories that are useful for making sense of contemporary debates and challenges in international politics. In addition, it highlights the role of the state and the major actors involved in shaping cross-national borders. To this end, the module brings together diverse methodological approaches, current and historical events and critical study skills. By the end of the course, you will have acquired the necessary tools that enable you to critically weigh common academic and policy arguments about global affairs.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the actors, approaches, issues and institutions in IR
2. Explain the connections between global problems and the theories used by political scientists to understand their causes, effects, and possible solutions
Discipline-Specific Skills3. Compare and contrast major schools of thought in IR
4. Use these concepts, vocabulary, and theories to analyse issues facing political leaders and societies.
Personal and Key Skills5. Communicate arguments effectively
6. Develop good research and indexing praxis
7. Identify, locate, evaluate, and responsibly use and share information relevant to the discussions at hand