Browse Hierarchy INRL4002: Introduction to International Relations 2: Themes and Issues

This module provides an introduction to the subject of International Relations building on U23201. The module examines some of the key themes and issues in contemporary world politics. The module is divided into two parts. Part One introduces the actors, structures and processes of world politics, outlining some of the core themes such as the international system of states and international society, transnational and global society, the global political economy, international organisations, institutions and transnational actors. It further analyses concepts such as anarchy, order, sovereignty, conflict and co-operation among states and non-state actors and contextualises this conceptual material theoretically. Part Two then goes on to examine a number of immediate and chronic issues in world politics to demonstrate a) how they are managed and b) what they tell us about the nature of governance in the international system. These issues include: gender; migration; human rights and humanitarian intervention; energy resources and the environment; and development, inequality and poverty.