Teaching Responsibility

LJMU Schools involved in Delivery:

Humanities and Social Science

Learning Methods

Lecture

Online

Tutorial

Workshop

Module Offerings

4105IRP-JAN-MTP

Aims

  1. To study the historical origins of the modern international system.
  2. To critically evaluate the dynamics of social development on states and nations.
  3. To understand the historical evolution of modern international order.
  4. To critically evaluate the way in which the modern state is a Western construct, and its imposition elsewhere has problematic legacies

Learning Outcomes

1.
Demonstrate awareness of the historical dimension of IR as a discipline.
2.
Recognise and explain the emergence of the modern state system at the local, regional and global levels.
3.
Identify and explain how the Western international system spread across the world

Module Content

Outline Syllabus:
Module topics will likely include the following:
  • The importance of the State in international relations
  • Westphalia 1648 and its aftermath
  • What did Napoleon ever do for us? The Concert of Europe and managing the state system
  • Turning the European state system into a universal project: the case of imperialism
  • Constructing and managing the international system after WWII
  • The state, international system and the Cold War
  • How do weak states cause problems?
  • Upturning Westphalia: R2P and its revision of what a state can and cannot do
Module Overview:
The state in international affairs is an essential component to the study of International Relations. This module will guide you through its development in Europe from the 17th Century to the present day. We will explore how the state operated during this period, and question why it has been so resilient an entity for human organisation. We will also examine the impact of the end of the Cold War along with how subsequent thinking has led to significant changes in how the state and its power are understood by the international community.
Additional Information:
The state in international affairs is an essential component to the study of International Relations. This module will guide you through its development in Europe from the 17th Century to the present day. We will explore how the state operated during this period, and question why it has been so resilient an entity for human organisation. We will also examine the impact of the end of the Cold War along with subsequent thinking have led to significant changes in how the state and its power are understood by the international community. A skills specific session will be incorporated in this module.

Assessments

Essay

Portfolio