Major Approaches to the Study of International Relations

Topic selected open to writer but MUST be shared with me in advance before proceeding.
Essay must demonstrate:
· understand the importance and role of theoretical approaches to the study of IR
· identify the central assumptions and features underlying a number of key theoretical approaches
· analyse points of debate between key theoretical approaches, and critically assess them
· evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a number of theoretical approaches
Course topics:
• Introduction: why and how to study IR.
• Classical IR: Realism and Structural Realism.
• Classical IR: Liberalism and the English School.
• Critical IR: Marxism and Constructivism.
• Critical IR: Social Constructivism and Post-Structuralism.
• Critical IR: Feminism, Gender and Post-Colonialism in IR.
• Unlearning IR: Empire, Race and Colonialism in IR.
• War and International Security: Critical Approaches.
• IR and Environmental Sustainability: how will we live?
• IR in focus: critical approaches to the world we live in.
These elements include:
– The question you will answer. If possible, it is helpful to give an expected one-sentence answer to the question, that is the key statement or argument that
you will defend.
– A brief introduction to the topic, which aims to capture the reader’s interest and explains why the question is interesting or important.
– An outline of the essay structure, describing what each section will do. This will often include a section describing the theoretical approach taken by the
essay and any key concepts, as well as 2-4 sections where that 7 theory is used to analyze one or more empirical case(s)/example(s)/theme(s).
– A comment on what evidence will be used. If the essay goes beyond secondary literature, this should include commentary on any primary sources and
methods of data collection.
– Good referencing allows you to acknowledge the sources which you have drawn upon in your essay, to provide evidence for your claims, and to help situate
your work within a scholarly debate.