Essentials Of International Relations And Diplomacy
- Social Sciences
- 200 level
- 3 credit units
- 143 pages
- 24 units
This course examines the nature, scope, and purposes of international relations and diplomacy. It explores fundamental concepts, theories, and paradigms, including Power, Balance of Power, and Foreign Policy. The course also covers the meaning, nature, and principles of Diplomacy, examining participation levels and the challenges of Globalization. It aims to enhance understanding of events and actions in the international system among state and non-state actors.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 65 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assessments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of POL231, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
- UNIT 1 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL POLITICSPage 26
- UNIT 2 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL LAWPage 30
- UNIT 3: SOURCES AND LEGALITY OF INTERNATIONAL LAWPage 34
- UNIT 4: LEVEL OF ANALYSIS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSPage 38
- UNIT 5 APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSPage 43
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
POL231 · UNIT1: MEANING OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Traditionally, the study of IR focused on questions of war and peace. The movement of armies and diplomats, the creating of treaties and alliances, the development and deployment of military capabilities- these issues dominated the study of IR in the past, particularly in the Cold War era.
What you should be able to do
- Explain the meaning, nature, and scope of international relations.
- Identify and distinguish between different subject areas of international relations.
- Explain the origins and development of international diplomacy.
- Explain basic concepts and theoretical assumptions in the study of international relations.
- Appraise theories, principles, and concepts for understanding events in the international system.
What it prepares you for
- Diplomat
- Policy Analyst
- International Relations Officer
- Intelligence Analyst
- Lobbyist
- Government
- International Organizations
- Non-Governmental Organizations
- Consulting
- Academia
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 4: Paradigms and Theories in International Relations
Unit 3: Realism
Understanding the nuances of realism requires grasping complex power dynamics and historical contexts.
- Module 5: Basic Concepts in International Relations and Diplomacy
Unit 2: National Interest
National interest is a multifaceted concept with varying interpretations, requiring critical analysis.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 26 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Meaning, Nature and Scope of International Relations
Unit 1: Meaning of International Relations · 2 hours
Read the introduction to understand the scope of international relations.. Study the definitions and activities involved in international relations..
- Week 2Module 1: Meaning, Nature and Scope of International Relations
Unit 2: Nature of International Relations · 2 hours
Examine the state-centric view of the international system.. Understand the anarchical nature of international relations..
- Week 3Module 1: Meaning, Nature and Scope of International Relations
Unit 3: Scope of International Relations · 2 hours
Identify the core concepts of international relations.. Study the issues covered, such as trade, tourism, and technology..
- Week 4Module 1: Meaning, Nature and Scope of International Relations
Unit 4: Origin and Development of International Relations · 2 hours
Trace the origin of international relations back to the Peace of Westphalia.. Understand the evolution of IR as an academic discipline..
- Week 5Module 1: Meaning, Nature and Scope of International Relations
Unit 5: Structure of the International System · 2 hours
Describe the features of the international system.. Explain the distribution of power and influence within the system..
- Week 6Module 2: Dimensions and Approaches to the Study of International Relations
Unit 1: International Relations and International Politics · 2 hours
Distinguish between international relations and international politics.. Identify the components of international politics..
- Week 7Module 2: Dimensions and Approaches to the Study of International Relations
Unit 2: International Relations and International Law · 2 hours
Explain the meaning, nature, and content of international law.. Understand the relationship between international law and international relations..
- Week 8Module 2: Dimensions and Approaches to the Study of International Relations
Unit 3: Sources and Legality of International Law · 2 hours
Identify and explain the sources of international law.. Understand the legality of international law..
- Week 9Module 2: Dimensions and Approaches to the Study of International Relations
Unit 4: Level of Analysis in International Relations · 2 hours
Identify and discuss the levels of analysis in international relations.. Understand how these levels constitute analytical constructs..
- Week 10Module 2: Dimensions and Approaches to the Study of International Relations
Unit 5: Approaches to the Study of International Relations · 2 hours
Identify and explain the kinds of approaches to the study of international relations.. Distinguish between classical and scientific approaches..
- Week 11Module 3: Meaning, Nature and Principles of Diplomacy
Unit 1: Concept and Evolution of Diplomacy · 2 hours
Trace the origin and development of modern diplomacy.. Explain the concept of diplomacy..
- Week 12Module 3: Meaning, Nature and Principles of Diplomacy
Unit 2: Elements of Diplomacy · 2 hours
Explain the major elements of diplomacy.. Mention the essential tasks of diplomacy..
- Week 13Module 3: Meaning, Nature and Principles of Diplomacy
Unit 3: Principles of Diplomacy · 2 hours
Discuss the principles for conducting effective diplomacy.. Identify the qualities of a good diplomat..
Preparing for the exam
- Create concept maps linking Modules 1-3 to understand foundational concepts.
- Focus on key definitions and theories from Modules 4-5.
- Practice applying theoretical frameworks to real-world scenarios.
- Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and Self-Assessment Exercises (SAEs).
- Allocate study time proportionally based on unit complexity and weightage.
- Form study groups to discuss and clarify challenging concepts.
- Prioritize understanding core concepts over rote memorization.
Questions students ask about this course
What is POL231 about?
This course examines the nature, scope, and purposes of international relations and diplomacy. It explores fundamental concepts, theories, and paradigms, including Power, Balance of Power, and Foreign Policy. The course also covers the meaning, nature, and principles of Diplomacy, examining participation levels and the challenges of Globalization. It aims to enhance understanding of events and actions in the international system among state and non-state actors.
How many units does POL231 have?
POL231, Essentials Of International Relations And Diplomacy, has 24 units across 5 modules, over 143 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is POL231?
POL231 carries 3 credit units, at 200 level in Social Sciences.
Is POL231 hard?
POL231 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.
How long does POL231 take to study?
About 65 hours of study, spread across its 24 units.
How is POL231 assessed?
POL231 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assessments and Final Examination.
What can I do with POL231?
Diplomat, Policy Analyst, International Relations Officer, Intelligence Analyst and Lobbyist.