This course is broken up into two sections.  The first explores various methods and paradigms for theorising empire, both within and beyond IR, emphasising the limitations of conventional IR to adequately theorising empire.  In the first 6 workshops the course examines the different kinds of analytical tools that might be applied to the study of empire.  In the second section of the course, students explore the applicability of empire to the contemporary world by looking at contemporary debates around the US as a figure of empire, a political economy lens for understanding empire and Globalisation as a medium of empire (in the work of Hardt and Negri).  The course examines what might be at stake in these debates, (why empire, why now?) and explores what empire as a political form or category of analysis contributes to our understanding of the world.

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Assess the extent to  which empire as a category of analysis is adequate to describing contemporary global politics and North/South relations;
2. Compare and assess different theoretical and normative perspectives on empire;
3. Appreciate the potential contribution of postcolonial theory to political theory generally and a normative understanding of empire;
4. Have developed some capacity to apply theoretical analysis to empirical/historical/cultural sources;

Major Essay (4,000 words) (60%) (LO 1,2,3,4)

Take Home Exam (2,000 words (40%) (LO 1,2,3,4)

Two Hour seminar per week plus individual study of 8 – 10 hours per week

None

None

Readings will be provided at the beginning of the course.