GOVT3001 Critical Approaches to International Relations

This topic focuses on critical approaches to the study of International Relations, using the analytical tools these approaches provide to make sense of contemporary developments in international order. As the world faces rapid and sometimes radical change geo-politically, economically, technologically and environmentally, this topic uses approaches such as constructivism, Marxism, feminism, normative theorising, green theory and non-Eurocentric approaches to challenge and engage with the traditional mainstream of the discipline of international relations. Consideration of this broad range of critical analytical approaches will enhance student's capacity to engage with and respond to contemporary developments in global politics.

This topic aims to:

• Provide students with an advanced grounding in critical approaches to international relations
• Prepare students to articulate and critique a range of critical approaches to international relations
• Enable students to apply these critical approaches to contemporary and historical global politics
• Develop general skills of analyses and argumentation
• Enhance students capacities for written work and oral presentations

1. Articulate a broad range of critical approaches to International Relations
2. Apply these critical approaches to a range of cases studies from contemporary and historical periods
3. Effectively analyse and critique contemporary writing about international affairs
4. Present your analyses professionally in both written and spoken form, individually and in group contexts