International Relations and Global Communications

This module explores how digital media and communication, and especially the Internet and social media, affect society and politics. Digital media (and social media in particular) is fundamentally changing the terrain of politics, due to its widespread use, its reach and speed, and its function in the lives of civilian populations and states alike. You will be studying a field that is in a process of constant transformation and you will have access to the latest academic work and developments which are relevant to our lives, and to the lives of people across the globe, today. 

The dissertation involves extended independent research into a topic chosen by you, with guidance and advice from the module co-ordinator and from a dissertation supervisor chosen from appropriate members of staff. The subject matter can cover any issue within the field of contemporary global politics and communications. In preparation for the dissertation there is a taught element focusing on research methods training. You will be introduced to a range of social science methods and learn about the key stages of completing a research project, such as framing a research problem, formulating a research question, setting aims and objectives, doing a literature review, choosing methods of data collection and data analysis, time management and research ethics. 

This module examines the history of global politics since the 17th century up to the present day. It examines the links between the emergence and evolution of the ‘Westphalian’ system into today’s ‘globalised’ world politics, and the ways in which narratives and histories of the global south have been marginalised by this process.

This module is an examination of the key debates and problems in today’s global politics, allowing you to debate and tackle these dilemmas. Focussed on current geo-politics, topics may include: humanitarian intervention; humanitarian law and the ICC; poverty, development and international economics; the politics of climate change; global institutional governance; the politics of migration; the rise of nationalist protest; and the failures of US foreign policy.

This module gives you the opportunity to engage closely and intensely with selected case studies of current research in the field of politics and communications, as well as to work side by side with an experienced researcher. Guided by research experts from the programme team, you will learn about key theoretical approaches and possible methods for each selected case study; evaluate the state of the field; and gain some experience in carrying out a small research project of your own.

This module further develops research competences in the field of political communication in a professional, rather than a purely academic, context. Putting theory into practice, you will apply what you have learned to 'real world' briefs, developed with the guidance of experts such as MPs, public servants, NGO workers and activists.

This module examines two dimensions of contemporary US foreign policy. In the first half of the course, we look at the process of policy making and the roles of different actors and institutions, including the president, Congress, interest groups and the media. In the second half of the course, we examine the output of that process in the shape of US foreign policy towards different parts of the world in the early 21st century.

The module will introduce you to the key dilemmas brought up by the rapid introduction of digital technologies into our lives, and examine ways in which digital technologies impact our society, politics, citizen practices and sense of self.

This module will provide an introduction to a range of contemporary global challenges, including climate change, human rights, poverty, and health, and the global institutions and infrastructure that have emerged to tackle these challenges. The focus will be on drawing out the conceptual issues of legitimacy, consent, authority, the nature of the nation state and the nature of democracy, that are thrown up by confronting issues on a global scale.

This module introduces concepts and issues in intercultural communication. The module makes use of both established and in-house research, using approaches and analytical frameworks from pragmatics, discourse analysis and the ethnography of communication. You will reflect on how context may influence negotiation of meaning in a variety of cultural contexts. The module equips you with a comprehensive set of tools for the analysis of intercultural communication from a language perspective and develops the resources needed to identify features of effective communication with people from diverse contexts. The module prepares you for carrying out empirical research in the field of intercultural communication, critically evaluating empirical data and presenting research findings.

This module will provide a thorough exploration of the conceptualisation, definition, and measurement of poverty at a global level and within higher-income and lower-income countries. You will use the UK as a case study for examining evidence on the relationship between policy, the economy and poverty over the past 50 years. You will then explore concepts of inequality and how they relate to, or conflict with, poverty and examine the relationship between globalisation and between-country and within-country inequality.

This module examines both internal and external contexts of European integration. It aims to answer the following questions: What is the EU? How are decisions made? What are the consequences of these decisions for the future development of European integration? And what are the main internal and external policies of the EU? Among other things, the module examines the EU's response to such issues as global terrorism, climate change, financial crisis and immigration.

This module explores the relationship between environmental unsustainability and the state’s institutions, objectives and strategies. You will examine both how policy-makers have sought to respond to climate change – but also how and why policy-makers have failed to act. The module considers the efficacy to date of environmental subsidies, carbon taxes, emissions trading etc., alongside the broader picture of the sustainability of capitalist growth. The module examines and problematises the multi-level political processes relevant to this area of policy. The issue of climate change is related also to wider capitalist crises, by focusing on theories of crisis narration and crisis management.