Module: Introduction to International Relations & Security

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Introduction to International Relations & Security
Module Code	POL1017 (ITS: LG117)
Faculty	Law & Government	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

Module Aims: To introduce students to the study of international relations. To give them an awareness of the classic theoretical debates in IR Theory. To introduce the range of issues covered in contemporary International Relations and Security.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify the main international relations theories
2. Understand the central debates in contemporary Security Studies
3. Distinguish between the main theories of international relations
4. Choose an appropriate theory to examine a particular issue in International Politics

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	22	No Description
Independent Study	103	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11399	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Paola Rivetti	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	n/a	100%	Week 1
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	70%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

What is International Relations? - Introduction to classic theories of IR

States, Systems and Society
putting theory in context

Introduction to contemporary theories of International Relations - Post Cold War Security Situation

A new world order?
Clash of Civilisations, Democratic Peace, Balance of Power or Global Hegemon

Global Governance - the UN, regional organisations and multilateralism

Intervention, Peace-keeping and peace-making

Globalisation and Nationalism
Competing Paradigms or Related?

Sovereignty, Contested States and Conflict Resolution

An introduction to foreign policy

The nature of the new world order. Is there an international society?

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Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None