Course description
This degree provides an advanced understanding of the general theory and practice of international political and economic relations; of the politics, institutions and international role of the European Union; and of the international politics of world regions and of policy regimes, such as security and political economy. The programme typically organises a field trip to Brussels, Belgium, where students visit European institutions, NATO and British representatives.
Learning Outcomes
Students who follow this programme will be able to make critical assessments of the principal propositions and arguments of theories such as realism/neorealism, international liberalism, Marxism/ structuralism, neo-functionalism, liberal intergovernmentalism, post-positivism, and just war theory.
How You Will Be Taught
Candidates will be assessed on each course through coursework. Following a period of structured study, students will undertake advised, independent study and complete a dissertation during the summer months.
Courses
The MSc Programme is taken over twelve months of full-time study (part-time candidates normally fulfil the requirements of the degree in 24 months). It consists of two parts. Part I comprises a programme of six courses; Part II consists of the Dissertation. A student must pass Part I in order to proceed to Part II.
Courses in IEP are grounded in four areas:
Core courses
· International Relations Theories
· Institutions and Policies of the European Union
International Relations
· American Foreign Policy
· European Union in International Affairs
· International Political Economy
· International Security
· Political Economy of East Asia
· Political Theory and International Affairs
· Political Theory of International Human Rights
· War and Morality
European Studies
· European Environmental Policy in an International Context
· European Social Policy
· Europe and International Migration
· Justice and Order in the New Europe
· Political Economy of European Integration
· Scottish Government and Politics
· Soviet and Post-Soviet Politics
· Theorising European Integration
Comparative and Regional Studies
· Africa in International Politics
· Family Policies in Comparative Perspective
· Comparative Territorial Politics
· Crime, Justice and Public Policy
· Gender and Development
· Gender Politics and the State
· Middle East in International Politics
· Social and Political Movements
· Sociology of Nationalism
Note:
1. Students are not obligated to select courses from each area (except the core courses), but may choose courses from among these areas they wish.
2. With the agreement of the Director and the relevant outside department, candidates may also select one option from other subject areas, such as African Studies, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, and law.
3. Course availability cannot be guaranteed.
Dissertation
The dissertation is an extended piece of scholarship of a maximum 15,000 words in which students have the opportunity to pursue a topic largely of their choosing. Academically it is the most advanced element of the degree. It is also the point where students progress from structured study in courses to independent study.
All students are assigned a supervisor for their dissertation. Students are expected to demonstrate the ability to engage critically and analytically with the literature, building upon relevant concepts and theory covered in the taught element of the degree. The dissertation is normally made up of a balance of empirical and theoretical work. However, students are not required to conduct primary field research.
Examples of dissertation topics in previous years include International Security, Comparative Regionalism, Modern Peacekeeping, Middle Eastern Politics, African Foreign Policy, EU Environmental Politics, Humanitarian Intervention, International Terrorism, Gender Politics, American Foreign Policy, Cosmopolitanism, International Trade, European Security and Defence Policy, Enlargement of the European Union, Turkish membership of the EU.
