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PIM93: Worlding International Relations

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PIM93: Worlding International Relations

Module code: PIM93

Module provider: Graduate Institute for Politics and International Studies

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Andreas Behnke, email: a.behnke@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 23 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module is directed to students interested in the history and current development of International Relations. It addresses the challenges formulated in diverse parts of the world to the Western dominance of the field of International Relations. Focusing on how central concept of IR are understood in different parts of the world, the module investigates how scholars from around the world think about central concepts such as sovereignty, the state, war, peace, religion and ‘the international’. Highlighting the conceptual differences in non-Western approaches, the module casts light on their implication for IR and the study of world politics. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

  1. Evaluate various non-Western theories and concepts related to international politics. 
  2. Evaluate the relevant differences between these theories and concepts and their Western counterparts. 
  3. Describe these non-Western theories and apply them in explaining recent events and developments in international politics. 

Module content

The module will provide an introduction to the theories and concepts of international politics as they emerge in the non-Western world. For too long, the academic production of knowledge about international politics has been dominated by Western scholars, approaches and practices. 

By charting global variation in the concepts used by scholars to think about international relations, the module focuses on important differences in non-Western approaches and the potential implications of such differences for the discipline of IR and the study of world politics in general. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

A set of introductory remarks by lecturer; student presentations and directed discussions in weekly seminars; independent study; individual consultations with lecturers as needed. Together with essay writing these activities are designed to develop students' knowledge base as well as analytical skills. 

Study hours

At least 22 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.


 Scheduled teaching and learning activities  Semester 1  Semester 2 Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù
Lectures
Seminars 20
Tutorials
Project Supervision
Demonstrations
Practical classes and workshops
Supervised time in studio / workshop
Scheduled revision sessions
Feedback meetings with staff
Fieldwork
External visits
Work-based learning


 Self-scheduled teaching and learning activities  Semester 1  Semester 2 Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù
Directed viewing of video materials/screencasts 2
Participation in discussion boards/other discussions 30
Feedback meetings with staff 20
Other
Other (details)


 Placement and study abroad  Semester 1  Semester 2 Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù
Placement
Study abroad

Please note that the hours listed above are for guidance purposes only.

 Independent study hours  Semester 1  Semester 2 Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù
Independent study hours 128

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Type of assessment Detail of assessment % contribution towards module mark Size of assessment Submission date Additional information
Written coursework assignment Essay 50 3,000 words Semester 2, Teaching Week 12 Essay about theoretical problems within Worlding IR. The use of generative AI is not allowed.
Written coursework assignment Essay 50 3,000 words Semester 2, Assessment Week 3 Essay about theoretical problems within Worlding IR. The use of generative AI is not allowed.

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

  • where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
  • the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
  • where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
  • where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

  • where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
  • where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Reassessment

Type of reassessment Detail of reassessment % contribution towards module mark Size of reassessment Submission date Additional information
Written coursework assignment Essay 50 3,000 words September of the following year
Written coursework assignment Essay 50 3,000 words May of the following year

Additional costs

Item Additional information Cost
Computers and devices with a particular specification
Printing and binding
Required textbooks Thinking International Relations Differently, available as an e-book from Library £0
Specialist clothing, footwear, or headgear
Specialist equipment or materials
Travel, accommodation, and subsistence

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.

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