IR4003 - International Conflict and Cooperation

I will learn on this module by attending lectures where I will be presented with the ideas and political sciences debates behind these theories and concepts, their meaning and application. I will engage actively in learning activities such as simulations and presentations to practice skills and learn through engagement with my peers. I will also attend seminars where I will build upon my reading for the lectures and where I will discuss how these theories and concepts challenge and potentially modify common sense beliefs about international politics.

My academic development will be facilitated through engagement with the academic literature and by talking with my peers and academics about my understanding of the literature and its application to international politics. I will have access to Northumbria’s virtual learning environment (Blackboard) where I will be provided with a reading list and all relevant information relating to this module.

I expect to have my notions of international relations challenged in this module. I will also use seminars and tutorials to further enrich my learning experience.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Identify, discuss and apply theories of the main schools of International Relations (including realism and liberalism).
2. Analyse key concepts in international order and security that define international politics, such as war, peace, hegemony, sovereignty

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Use academic conventions effectively to present and support discussion, analysis and argument visually, orally and written form.
4. Construct an argument by critically analysing evidence and a variety of sources, and by applying theory to case study and observation.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. To develop curiosity in investigating problems of international relations beyond common sense narratives and the ideas and arguments put forward by politicians, the media and others

The module will be assessed by:

- 1 simulation portfolio consisting of a position paper (25%) and a reflection paper (25%)
- 1 2000-word essay


A portfolio from the simulation exercise will assess my ability to construct an argument and apply theory to case study. The simulation exercise will deepen my understanding of how key concepts such as hegemony, sovereignty, war and peace can be applied to a specific case and to present arguments, discuss and analyse positions orally. The portfolio consists of 1 x 1000 word position paper (25% of the final grade) and 1 x 1000 word reflection on the simulation (25% of the final grade)

A 2,000 word essay will further test my understanding and critique theories, concepts and debates introduced in this module. The essay will test my ability to engage in rigorous and in-depth analysis on a specified research question, moving beyond ‘common sense’ arguments. The essay will assess my ability to use academic standards (esp. referencing) accurately and effectively. It will further test my ability to assess and critically discuss arguments and evidence presented to me in the literature, by politicians and the media, and my ability to construct a coherent written analysis and argument.

Seminars will be of crucial importance because it is in the seminars where I will have the opportunity to discuss my understanding of the literature. I will have the opportunity to present my work in the seminars and will receive formative feedback from my lecturer on any presentation I might make.

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Please find details of this module in the other sections provided.