BA (Hons) in International Relations

By the end of the module you will:

• Be able to appreciate the nature and complexity of global politics.
• Have a grasp of the theoretical underpinnings of the major approaches to global politics.
• Have a good working knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of the major approaches to global politics.
• Be familiar with the core concepts and controversies in analysing global politics.

Learning outcomes:

• Knowledge and understanding: knowledge of foundations of the definition and explanations of global politics.
• Intellectual skills: ability to critically read primary and secondary material and use it effectively and appropriately in essays and in examinations.
• Professional/Practical skills: ability to give oral presentations and to contribute to discussions and debates in tutorial groups.
• Transferable & Key skills: ability to critically read primary and secondary material and use it selectively in essays and in examinations.

• Demonstrate core knowledge of International Law and Organisations (to be assessed by coursework).
• Demonstrate a broad understanding of how International Law and Organisations can be analysed and explained in different ways according to different political perspectives (to be assessed by coursework).
• Relate this knowledge to the world they encounter in daily news bulletins (to be practised in class discussion).

Learning outcomes:

• Knowledge and understanding of:
  • contemporary IL and IOs.
  • Different theoretical ways to approach them.
• Intellectual skills, such as:
  • the ability to identify, explain, and critique the key argument in a journal article.
  • the ability to recognise, assess, and apply a variety of approaches and methods for the study of IL and IOs.
  • The ability to engage in academic debate about the role of IL and IOs in the international system.
• Professional/practical skills, such as:
  • evidence gathering and evaluation.
  • summarizing and presenting information and ideas orally.
  • constructing and clearly expressing an argument in writing.
  • Independent learning.
• Transferable and key skills, such as:
  • the ability to extract the main ideas and arguments from a political text and relate them to their own lives and other learning experiences (to be practised in class reading preparation).
  • the capacity to engage in a structured and well informed discussion about complex questions (to be practised in class discussions).
  • the ability to summarise and critique an academic piece of writing (to be assessed in the summary/review).
  • the capacity to research and argue a longer piece of work (to be assessed in the coursework essay).
  • The capacity to reflect on the relationship between theory and practice (to be assessed in all assignments).
  • Familiarity with academic databases and other forms of electronic research tools.

This module provides an essential introduction to the politics of ASEAN, exploring its historical, political, institutional, and economic development. Students will examine ASEAN’s role in regional and global contexts, considering factors such as geography, colonial history, and socio-political interactions.

Key themes include integration, governance, and strategic relations, offering a comparative perspective on ASEAN’s position in global affairs. By the end of the module, students will gain a strong conceptual and empirical understanding of ASEAN’s political landscape, its evolving challenges, and how various actors—from states to civil society—shape its laws, institutions, and regional dynamics.  

This module explores key issues shaping Malaysia’s political landscape, including party politics, governance, democracy, civil society, national identity, and ethnic and religious dynamics.

Students will examine political actors, institutions, and Malaysia’s engagement with globalisation through both theoretical and empirical perspectives. By the end of the module, students will gain a deeper understanding of the history and evolution of contemporary Malaysian politics, enabling them to critically analyse its complexities and challenges.

This module introduces students to the key theories and concepts of diplomacy while exploring how these ideas shape real-world diplomatic practice. It examines the evolution of diplomacy, from traditional state-to-state relations to emerging forms of global governance.

Students will analyse different diplomatic methods, including public and cultural diplomacy, coercive diplomacy, and multilateral negotiations. Through historical case studies and contemporary examples, they will gain a deeper understanding of how diplomacy influences international relations and global problem-solving

Students will learn and practise the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing together with basic grammatical structures. This will enable them to manipulate the language and participate effectively in everyday social situations.

Learning outcomes:

• Pronunciation.
• Standard spelling.
• Ab initio syntax.
• Ab initio sentence semantics.
• Gist comprehension and more detailed reconstruction of audio material.
• Basic oral skills.
• Intellectual skills.

In this module you will gain an advanced understanding of the function of a wide range of markets for the production, exchange, and consumption of goods and services.

We will examine how people perceive the choices available to them, and assess the associated risks, to make optimal decisions.

We will also explore the nature of competition in dynamic markets, and the approaches that companies take to gain temporary and lasting advantage.

Change is at the heart of our teaching. You will learn about innovation and the impact of disruptive technologies, such as digital platforms that create new markets, and how transformation occurs whilst protecting consumers and building market resilience to achieve lasting social good, and how greater environmental awareness is impacting and changing market behaviours.

• To gain a general knowledge of the major theoretical perspectives in international political economy.
• To appreciate the merits and demerits of these perspectives as they are applied to account for the changing political dynamics of international economic relations and development practices.
• To develop a basic understanding of key concepts and issues in the contemporary global political economy.
• To develop a keen awareness of the operation of power and the role of major state and societal actors in the international economic system.

Learning outcomes:

• Knowledge and understanding:
  • be able to compare and critically evaluate the core theoretical approaches of international political economy.
  • understand substantive issues in the political economy of international trade, finance, production and development.
  • demonstrate a particular knowledge of the political and economic factors that have led to the transformation of the international economic system and global development policies and practices.
  • be able to effectively combine empirical knowledge with theoretical insight in the analysis of events and processes in the global political economy.
  • appreciate the crucial relationship between theoretical arguments, empirical analyses and policy practices in the literature on international political economy and global development.
• Intellectual skills:
  • ability to think about the connection between theory and empirical analysis in a reflective and critical way.
  • ability to analyse and assess a variety of approaches and methods for the study of problems in political economy and international development.
• Professional/Practical skills:
  • evidence gathering and evaluation.
  • advanced writing skills under exam conditions.
  • independent learning.
• Transferable & Key skills:
  • the capacity to engage in a structured and well informed discussion about complex questions (to be practised in class discussions).
  • the ability to write in a structured and concise way under time pressure (to be assessed in the exam).
  • the skill to write a thought through, well argued longer piece of work (to be assessed in the coursework essays).

• Identify and describe key actors, institutions and issues in the international politics of the Asia-Pacific.
• Explain the causes and effects of a specific conflict in the international politics of the Asia-Pacific using relevant disciplinary insights.
• Apply a recognised approach to the international politics of the Asia Pacific (e.g. feminism, realism, liberalism, Marxism, etc.) to a specific conflict. Compare and contrast approaches to international politics in relation to a specific conflict.
• Evaluate the causes or propose solutions to conflicts under study.

Learning outcomes:

• Knowledge and understanding:

Students will understand the historic and contemporary interests that structure state-to-state relations and multilateral cooperation in the Asia Pacific:

• • They will understand the context-specific nature of conflicts.
  • They will be able to understand the challenges of applying theory in complex settings.
• Intellectual skills:
  • Analysis of conflict using relevant theory and approaches.
  • Empathy with opposing views and solutions.
  • Critical capacity to discern deviations from declaratory policy and practice.
• Professional and practical skills:
  • Students will write a briefing paper for a chosen audience (foreign minister, intelligence agency, visiting delegation etc.). These will be modeled on embassy communiqués or Briefing notes issued to senior personnel in relevant international agencies.
  • Problem solving skills will be developed by students (extending from diagnosis of a problem to proposing a solution) in relation to the simulation of an international crisis.
  • Skills of rhetoric will be advanced by use of knowledge in the simulation.
  • Practices of negotiation and compromise will be enhanced and experienced in the simulation.
• Transferable (key) skills through active participation in the module students will acquire:
  • Professional writing skills.
  • Problem solving skills.
  • Negotiating Skills.

• Engage with different theoretical approaches in international security.
• Gain an understanding of the empirical development of global security since the end of the Cold War with a particular focus on the Asia-pacific.
• Investigate the breadth of issues within the field of global security.
• Prepare students theoretically for advanced Level 3 modules in IR.

Learning outcomes:

• Knowledge and understanding:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the subject of global security and how issues and theories can be interpreted in different ways (to be assessed by a 3000 word essay and a two-hour exam).
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of the appropriate literatures in relation to international security studies.
• Intellectual skills:
  • Think reflectively and critically about the connection between theory and empirical analysis.
  • Assess a variety of approaches and methods for the study of global security.
• Professional and practical skills:
  • Evidence gathering and evaluation.
  • Advanced writing skills under exam conditions.
  • independent learning.
• Transferable (key) skills:
  • Through active participation in the module students will acquire:
    • the capacity to engage in a structured and well informed discussion about complex questions (to be practised in class discussions).
    • the capacity to concentrate on core points and the ability to speak on the basis of a set of notes (to be practised in oral presentations in class).
    • the ability to write in a structured and concise way under time pressure (to be assessed in the examination).
    • the skill to develop a structured argument in a longer piece of work (to be assessed in the 3,000 word essay).

• Demonstrate a particular knowledge of politics and political institutions of several counties (to be assessed by coursework, exam and quizzes).
• Have a nuanced understanding of political conflict in a number of countries (to be assessed by coursework, exam and quizzes).
• Be able to apply theories of Comparative Politics to their own analyses of Politics (to be assessed by coursework, exam and quizzes).

Learning outcomes:

• Knowledge and understanding:
  • Wide knowledge of contemporary Comparative Politics.
• Intellectual skills:
  • Ability to think about the connection between theory and empirical analysis.
  • Ability to analyse critically and assess a variety of approaches and methods for the study of Comparative Politics.
  • Ability to engage in academic debate about the role of institutions and social cleavages in politics.
• Professional/Practical skills:
  • Evidence gathering and evaluation.
  • Advanced writing skills under exam conditions.
  • independent learning.
• Transferable & Key skills:
  • The capacity to engage in a structured and well informed discussion about complex questions (to be practised in class discussions).
  • The ability to write in a structured and concise way under time pressure (to be assessed in the exam).
  • The skill to write a thought through, well-argued longer piece of work (to be assessed in the coursework essay).
  • The capacity to reflect on the relationship between theory and practice (to be assessed in the reading assignments and presentation).
• IT skills:
  • Understand how technology can be used as a research tool as well as to facilitate the transfer of knowledge.

• To appreciate the relevance of understanding and explanation in social science and historical research.
• To understand the basic structure of social science and historical research methods and the fundamentals of research design.
• To familiarise themselves with the basic concepts of qualitative and quantitative analysis.
• Where appropriate, to develop empirical research questions, construct theoretical frameworks and formulate and test hypotheses using the techniques described above.

Learning outcomes:

• Identify and use the appropriate techniques to develop empirical research.
• Recognise the strengths and weaknesses of different research methods in the study of international relations.
• Gain an understanding of the major approaches to conducting social science and historical research.
• Develop professional practical skills in the area of empirical research which is, in itself, of considerable value to employers.
• Develop experience in setting objectives.
• Develop experience in time management.
• Develop experience in working to deadlines IT Skills.
• The ability to deliver a professional, word processed document with accompanying bibliography and footnotes.
• The skill to draw information and documents from WebCT and conduct online research via online journals and elibrary functions.

The overall aim of the module is to develop further competence in the language by improving the four skills of speaking, reading, listening and writing. Students will continue to develop their awareness of autonomy in language learning under the guidance of their language tutor. Teaching is communicative with regular opportunities for pair- and group- work. Emphasis is placed on oral and aural skills, making full use of multi-modal resources available.

Learning outcomes:

• The language structure at post- beginner level.
• More complex grammatical structures through the study of a broader range of topic areas across the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.

• To familiarise students with the history of political communication and public relations.
• To enable students to spot ‘spin’ and propaganda.
• To enable students to understand the links between public relations, politics and the exercise of power in liberal democracies.

Learning outcomes:

• An understanding of the historical evolution and contemporary forms of public relations and news management techniques.
• A knowledge of the theoretical debates around the ideological effects of public relations and propaganda campaigns.
• An appreciation of the overt and covert information strategies employed by politicians.

To provide students with the opportunity to produce a piece of independent research in the area of either politics, history or international relations; to provide a focus for the application by students of the knowledge and skills relating to issues which they have developed from other modules on the programme; to provide quality supervision by matching the research interests of students with those of members of staff in the School of Politics, History and International Relations who are familiar with their chosen research topic. 

Learning outcomes:

• Knowledge and Understanding:
  • On successful completion of the module students will have gained:
    • An in depth knowledge and understanding of a core theme in the fields of either politics, history or international relations; Knowledge and understanding of the major theoretical approaches to their chosen field and their applicability to their research theme.
    • Knowledge and understanding of the relevant theoretical concepts and the ability to apply these concepts to their chosen research theme.
    • Where relevant, knowledge and understanding of the interplay between empirical research findings and the theoretical perspective adopted with respect to a specific theme.
• Intellectual Skills:
  • On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated that they possess:
  • The analytic skills required for academic research in the field of either politics, history or international relations.
  • An ability to evaluate the research findings of others working in the field.
  • The capacity for independent thought to the degree which is required for research at final year under-graduate level.
• Professional/Practical Skills:
  • On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated that they possess:
    • The ability to deal systematically and creatively with complex issues and communicate their conclusions clearly to others clearly.
    • The academic skills required for a final year under-graduate level dissertation.
    • The ability to work independently.
• Transferable/Key Skills:
  • On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated that they possess:
    • The ability to communicate effectively in writing.
    • The ability to work independently, demonstrating initiative, self-organisation and time management.

This interactive module immerses students in a semester-long crisis simulation, where they take on the roles of key stakeholders in an ASEAN-related crisis. Working in teams, students will navigate negotiations, formulate public positions, and engage in both public and back-channel diplomacy to find solutions.

Guided by the module convenor, they will learn diplomatic engagement rules and negotiation strategies through ad hoc lectures. This hands-on experience enhances students' understanding of ASEAN’s political dynamics, decision-making processes, and institutional framework in real-world crisis scenarios.

The overall aim of the module is to consolidate and extend students’ competence to an intermediate level in the four skills of speaking, reading, listening and writing. Special emphasis will be placed on developing more sophisticated oral and written skills. Students will continue to develop their awareness of autonomy in language learning under the guidance of their language tutor. 

Learning outcomes:

• The language structure at intermediate level.
• More complex grammatical structures through the study of a broader range of topic areas across the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.

• Have an understanding of the nature and causes of food (in)security, hunger and malnutrition within developing countries at micro and macro level.
• Be prepared to engage with the theoretical demands of honours research projects.

Learning outcomes:

• Knowledge and Understanding:
  • Have a basic understanding of the global pattern and trends of food production, trade and consumption since 1945.
  • Understand and be able to assess the processes of change taking place within the social organisation of food systems in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
  • Understand the effects, including age and gender differences, that the above processes are having upon food security at all levels within developing countries.
  • Know and be able to evaluate the range of responses in the realms of production and exchange in food security.
• Intellectual skills:
  • Understand and be able to assess the processes of change taking place within the social organisation of food systems in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
  • Understand the effects, including age and gender differences, that the above processes are having upon food security at all levels within developing countries.
  • Know and be able to evaluate the range of responses in the realms of production and exchange in food security.
  • Articulate relationships between conceptual and practice issues in food security raised across the unit in a coherent, clear and concise way.
  • Have developed an advanced ability to draw linkages between food security and other development issues covered across the course.
• Professional and practical skills:
  • Know and be able to evaluate the range of responses in the realms of production and exchange in food security.
  • Have further developed skills of essay writing, information retrieval, planning and self-reflection.
  • Have developed an advanced ability to draw linkages between food security and other development issues covered across the course.
• Transferable (key) skills:
  • Through active participation in the module students will acquire:
    • Have further developed skills of essay writing, information retrieval, planning and self-reflection.
    • Have developed an advanced ability to draw linkages between food security and other development issues covered across the course.

• Understand key concepts in relation to policy analysis and social change.
• Have the capacity to apply those concepts to the study of an identified problem.
• Demonstrate capacity to analyse a problem and offer solutions based on evidence and context.
• Communicate understanding to a defined audience by conscious use of crafted rhetoric.
• Undertake relevant research and develop evidence based argument and analysis.
• Communicate understanding to a defined audience.
• Undertake relevant research and develop evidence based argument and analysis.

Learning outcomes:

• Knowledge and Understanding:
  • Students will gain knowledge of the policy and social change arena they have self-identified.
  • Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the policy and social change options for their chosen arena.
• Intellectual skills:
  • Think reflectively and critically about the connection between concepts and empirical analysis.
  • Develop critical skills of analysis in relation to the problem being analysed.
• Professional and practical skills:
  • Develop communication skills for specified audiences.
  • Connect evidence to persuasive argument.
  • Independent learning.
• Transferable (key) skills:
  • Through active participation in the module:
    • Students will acquire: the capacity to engage in structured and well informed discussion about complex questions (class discussions).
    • Skills of rhetoric (to be practised in the op-ed piece, communication project).
    • The ability to write in a structured and analytical manner (to be assessed in the research report).
    • The ability to productively work in groups to achieve specified objectives.