This course surveys the principal theoretical perspectives on international relations and explores their relevance to understanding contemporary issues and developments in world politics. It considers why we should theorise about international relations, asks what international relations is as an academic pursuit, reviews the various meanings of theory, and introduces the major theoretical questions and perspectives that have occupied students of international affairs. In surveying the major theories of international relations, it assumes that all theories have an explanatory dimension-explaining how the world works-and a normative dimension-prescribing how it ought to work. Instead of ignoring these aspects, the course focuses on how they are expressed in the major traditions of thought, such as realism, liberalism, Marxism, and constructivism. In the process, attention is given to issues such as the causes and ethics of war, the contribution of international institutions to peace, the relationship between global inequality and conflict, and the normative foundations of international relations.

This course is designed to give students:

• An appreciation of the centrality of theorizing to all thinking about international relations.

• An understanding of the principal theoretical perspectives that have been developed to understand international relations and global politics, and an appreciation of how individual theories have evolved in relation to one another and within particular social and historical contexts.

• An ability to engage with theories critically and reflectively.

• An ability to reason theoretically through written and spoken communication.

The course is taught by a leading specialist on international relations theory, and is taught through face to face, seminar based teaching over the course of a semester.

The course has three pieces of assessment:

• Small assignment (1500 words): a short, focused comparison of two theoretical works, designed to develop students' theoretical comprehension and capacity to engage systematically and critically with clearly delineated sets of ideas. Due end of week 4.

• Major essay (5000 words): a long research paper that gives students the opportunity to explore in detail a theory of theoretical issue that particularly interests them. Due end of week 9.

12 hours per week: two for seminar attendance, and ten for reading and writing. Please note this is a general guide, averaged over the semester and the final hours ultimately depend on the individual's ability in reading and writing.

Delivery Mode:

Semester 1 2010, on campus, seminar-style.