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This course looks closely at a variety of critical perspectives in international relations. Through an examination of liberal, realist, marxist, poststructuralist, and constructivist perspectives, the course shows how critiques emerge in opposition to dominant discourses and theories of international relations. Each critical approach will be introduced and applied to case studies including the war in Iraq, humanitarian intervention, and terrorism. Finally, the course looks at the role of theorists in the practice of international relations in order to demonstrate the ways in which abstract scholarly thought is deeply intertwined with the everyday practice of international politics.
Course Aims:This course aims to equip students with a broad array of theoretical and methodological tools with which to critique the dominant theories and practices of contemporary international relations. Through the development of this knowledge, students will be exposed to a variety of social and cultural perspectives on international relations, offering a richer understanding of how international conflict occurs and how we might go about rethinking the problems that we face. Throughout the semester, students will be encouraged to think about how different theoretical perspectives might be applicable to foreign policy making and the practice of diplomacy.
It is expected that students who successfully pass this course will be capable of reading, understanding, and participating in complex theoretical debates in international relations as well as interpreting conventional IR texts in a creative manner. Knowledge of these critical approaches to international relations will not only enable students to apply ‘new thinking’ to the problems currently faced in the world, but will also open up many avenues for further study at the postgraduate level. Students will also develop their research and writing skills to a level that will enable the pursuit of honours-level study. They will also leave the course with the ability to apply theoretical frameworks to real issues in contemporary international relations.
30 points in POLS at 200 level. Students without 30 points at 200 level in POLS but with at least a B average in 75 points in appropriate courses may be admitted with the approval of the Head of Department and/or Programme Coordinator.
Jeremy Moses
Required TextPOLS313 Course Reader (available via Learn)Recommended Texts:NOTE: You are not expected to buy these texts, but they may be useful in providing clear and concise overviews or other background material in addition to the prescribed reading.1. Burchill, Scott (ed.), Theories of International Relations, 4th Edition, Houndmills: Palgrave MacMillan, 2009.2. Dunne, Kurki, and Smith, International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity, Oxford University Press, 2007.3. Bell, Duncan (ed.), Ethics and World Politics, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010.4. Edkins, Jenny. Poststructuralism and International Relations: Bringing the Political Back. Boulder: Lynne Rienner, 1999.5. Booth, Ken (ed.) Critical Security Studies and World Politics. Boulder: Lynne Rienner, 2005.
Domestic fee $1,464.00
International fee $5,950.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Language, Social and Political Sciences .