IR3041 International Political Theory

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

2.00 pm Tue

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof A Lang

Prof A Lang
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Prof Anthony Lang

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module introduces students to international political theory, or the use of ethical, political and legal theory to evaluate various international practices. Unlike IR theory, IPT is primarily normative in orientation, drawing on both the history of ideas and current political and ethical theory to give students tools for evaluating international affairs rather than simply explaining them. It addresses topics such as war, economics, environmental issues, law, and religion.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS IR2006

Assessment pattern

3-hour Written Examination = 40%, Coursework = 60%

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination= 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 x 1-hour lecture (x 10 weeks), 1 x 1-hour tutorial (x 10 weeks), 2 consultation hours with Coordinator (x 12 weeks). 2 hours examination feedback in week 1 of following semester.

Scheduled learning hours

46

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

254

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Know how to ask and answer normative questions about global politics.
  • Understand the difference between social scientific and philosophical approaches within international relations.
  • Be able to debate normative issues in an objective and reasonable way.
  • Be able to critically engage texts and ideas in tutorial sessions and written essays.
  • Gain research and writing skills appropriate for both synthetic and analytic studies.