Module Code - Title:
PO4052
-
INTRODUCTION TO POLITICS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS II
Year Last Offered:
2026/7
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
This module will further introduce students to the study of Politics and International Relations. It will do so by comparing different regime types; by exploring the concepts of democracy, freedom and justice; and by exploring issues in international politics, such as war, terrorism, inequality and development. This module will be offered on the Evening Degree.
Syllabus:
Democracy and Democratization
Authoritarianism and Totalitarianism
Arguments for and against Democracy
Freedom and Rights
Theories of Justice
War and Terrorism
Inequality and Development
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
Critically assess foundational issues in the study of Politics and International Relations.
Present logical arguments in both verbal and written forms.
Compare rival theoretical views about political concepts and issues.
Explain different understandings of core political concepts.
Present logical arguments in both verbal and written forms.
Demonstrate proficiency in basic library skills
Develop basic proficiency in planning and writing essays
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
Demonstrate an appreciation of the structural differences between national and international politics
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
To facilitate different learning styles and the development of academic skills, students will be taught through lecture, class, on line exercises and written exercises. The module builds on core competences developed in Introduction to Politics and International Relations 1, to enable students to develop a basic understanding of politics and international relations so as to facilitate future study. Recent research findings are incorporated into lecture content.
Prime Texts:
Andrew Heywood (2013)
Politics
, Palgrave
Jonathan Wolff (2016)
An Introduction to Political Philosophy
, Oxford
Juliette Karboo and James Lee Ray (2011)
Global Politics
, Wandsworth
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
BACHELOR OF ARTS
BACHELOR OF ARTS (PROFESSIONAL PATHWAYS)
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN APPLIED LANGUAGES
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN EUROPEAN STUDIES
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN GLOBAL POLITICS
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN JOURNALISM AND DIGITAL COMMUNICATION
BACHELOR OF LAWS (LAW PLUS)
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PSYCHOLOGY
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SOCIAL SCIENCES
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
andrew.shorten@ul.ie