Course description
The MA in International Law and Politics is one of a small
number of advanced level taught programmes available in
the UK which combines a broad and balanced knowledge
of international relations theory with the study of public
international law.
The programme provides students with:
• an appreciation of and ability to critically assess the
key academic works relevant to the field of study;
• a sound knowledge of the contemporary debates
within the discipline of international relations;
• a thorough grounding in the principles of Public
International Law; and
• an appreciation of the inter-related nature of
international law and international politics.
Taught jointly by the University's Department of Politics
and International Studies and the Law School, both of
which have long and distinguished reputations for teaching
and research, the programme offers a broad range of
optional modules in both law and politics, including
political economy, strategic studies, international human
rights law, the international law of trade and development,
and many others. Students are also able to take advanced
level options in research methodology and political
analysis specifically designed for those wishing to progress
to doctoral study.
All students also complete a research dissertation which
allows them to specialise further in their chosen area of
study.
Programme Structure
Core
IR Theory: Classical and Post-Classical Approaches
(Semester 1)
This module introduces students to different theoretical
approaches in the study of International Relations (IR) and
examines the extent to which these theories can offer
explanations of, and practical guidance to, the
contemporary international and political environment. IR
is distinguished by the fact that it is one of the few areas
amongst the Social Sciences and Humanities to have
remained relatively unreconstructed by the recent
changes in advanced social theory and philosophy.
Until quite recently there were almost no philosophically
informed studies of IR, though this has been modified in the
last decade by the recognition that IR theory forms, in
effect, a part of modern political theory.To that extent, the
IR discipline has traditionally engaged - almost exclusively -
in the study of relations between sovereign states, in effect
dealing only with policy-oriented renditions of world
politics. This course will address the conventional policy
concerns and dilemmas, but it will do so from a critical
perspective and with the expressed intention of moving
beyond the sovereign, state-centric frameworks of IR.
Public International Law (Semester 1)
This module provides students with a systematic and
advanced understanding of the principles, rules, institutions
and processes of international law, enabling them to locate
the application of international law within its social and
political contexts. The module is designed to stimulate a
critical awareness of the functioning of contemporary
international law, to develop a conceptual understanding of
the theory and practice of international law and to develop
a comprehensive understanding of research techniques in
the field of international law.
The contents of the module are: the nature and
development of international law; customary international
law; treaty law; international legal subjects and participants;
international legal responsibility; jurisdiction in international
law; recognition and legitimacy; legal controls on the use of
force; international dispute settlement; and international law
in domestic jurisdictions.
IR Theory: Practical Applications and Case Studies
(Semester 2)
This module builds upon the theoretical foundations of
the IR Theory: Classical and Post-classical Approaches
module, and demonstrates to students how the
theoretical framework there provided can be applied to
practical situations.The module seeks to demonstrate the
inter-related nature of political, legal, moral and strategic
discourse through a series of five 'role play' case studies.
An examination will be undertaken of the way in which
states and/or other actors attempt to explain and justify
policies. Often reference will be made to strategic
interest, international law and/or morality. In particular
students will be asked to consider the extent to which the
'facts of the case' appear to support the explanation and
justification of the policy in question.Students can chose
from a list of options that at present includes but is not
restricted to the following:
• International Environmental Law I & II
• International Human Rights Law I & II
• Law of the Sea
• International Law of Trade and Development I & II
• Strategic Thought I & II
• Democratic Values and International Law
• International Environmental Law II
• International Law of Armed Conflict II
• European Community Law
• The EU - Political Integration and Policy Analysis
• European Union - National and International
Perspectives
