Partner Details

Unicaf

Awards

Target Award

Award Description:Master of Arts - MA
Alternative Exit
Alternative Exit

Programme Offerings

Part-Time

DL-UIC-APR
DL-UIC-AUG
DL-UIC-DEC
DL-UIC-FEB
DL-UIC-JAN
DL-UIC-JUL
DL-UIC-JUN
DL-UIC-MAR
DL-UIC-MAY
DL-UIC-NOV
DL-UIC-OCT
DL-UIC-SEP

Educational Aims of the Course

The programme is innovative and challenging because it provides a multidisciplinary approach to examining international relations. The programme will critically engage with theoretical approaches to International Relations in order to better understand the world. To further aid understanding of the world, the programme will critically examine in-depth issues of enduring international significance, including: conflict, the role of multilateral institutions, US foreign policy, state-building in the colonial and post-colonial world, and the role of humanitarian actions by state and non-state actors. The programme will enable students to carry out original and independent research through developing research methodologies appropriate to the study of International Relations. The programme will provide networking opportunities to increase the opportunity of obtaining employment in a related field. It is why a series of fieldtrips and expert practitioner workshops will be held throughout the year, along with developing internship opportunities for students.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

The programme has an integrated teaching, learning and assessment strategy. The assessment strategy for the programme is underpinned by appropriate learning and teaching strategies which are relevant and provide a structured set of learning opportunities enabling achievement, of individual module, and programme level, learning outcomes. Please see Curriculum Map for specific details. Critical awareness is achieved through online interaction, case studies, group discussions and individual reading and research. A blended learning approach will be adopted on the programme with resources to support learning provided Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Integration and synthesis across the programme lead to the programme's intended learning outcomes. These are assessed through a variety of formative and summative assessment including: assessed presentations, essays, research based exercises, critical review, research plan, and a dissertation. Specific details of these can be found in the module guides. International Relations students will be encouraged to engage in secondary research. Active learning in a constantly changing world provides an opportunity for reflection and critical literacy. Online interaction will act as a guide to the area of study and will focus on conceptual frameworks, areas or case studies. In online study students will be expected to work both collegially and independently. The nature of online study is intended to be interactive and group activities will be a significant part of student led and defined discussion. Students will be provided with opportunities to strengthen their skills and communicate within an academic community in a professional manner. They will be supported throughout the programme to formulate ideas and responses to past and current debates and research so that they can develop an advanced understanding of the field and apply these ideas appropriately. The assessment strategy provides a structure of assessment through which students can meet the intended learning outcomes of the programme. Students' skills are assessed through the self-direction, innovation and judgement required to complete research essays and the dissertation. The relationship between formative and summative assessment enables tutors to provide feedback which will support students in their development and enable them to make the most of their academic potential. Students are required to consider different means of communicating their research findings, formulate their response to critical issues and contemporary and past debates, and evaluate contemporary trends across a range of different types of assessment. Online activity independent study and research and the production of assessments all contribute to the development of professional practical skills. There will be particular focus on the research design of the dissertation and its management and critique in tutorials. The extent to which students have developed these skills will be assessed through essays, reports, critical reflection and the dissertation. Students will be introduced to the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and be encouraged to use it. Online activity, case studies will allow them to observe and discriminate between different perspectives, communication strategies and understand the responsibilities of academic research. These professional skills will be assessed through essay and the dissertation project.

Programme Structure

Programme Structure Description

The programme is taught and assessed within the Academic Framework. Students must take 180 credits of modules at Level 7. Students will be registered for one module at a time and must complete the whole programme within 5 years.

Entry Requirements

Alternative qualifications considered
Other international requirements

HECoS Code(s)

(CAH15-03) politics