IR102
Thinking Globally: Studying International Relations
This information is for the 2018/19 session.
Teacher responsible
Prof Karen Smith CLM 4.09
A full time member of staff will have overall responsibility for the course. LSE Fellows will be responsible for the workshop sessions.
Availability
This course is compulsory on the BSc in International Relations. This course is available on the BSc in Politics and International Relations. This course is not available as an outside option nor to General Course students.
Students for whom the course is optional must commit to the course when they choose it.
Course content
The aims of this short course are two-fold. First, to enable you to reflect on and share ideas with other students about why you chose to study international relations and what it means to study international relations. Second, to acquire and develop the key skills you need to study international relations, including analytical skills, communications skills (verbal and written), problem solving skills and team working skills. Students will work together in small groups on the skills required for reading and taking notes; conducting research; writing essays and exams; and succeeding as an IR scholar.
Week 3: Anatomy of a discipline: what is International Relations?
Week 4: Reading international relations
Week 5: Researching international relations
Week 7: Communicating international relations
Week 8: Doing international relations.
Teaching
10 hours of workshops in the MT.
There will be weekly 2 hour workshops in weeks 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the Michaelmas Term.
Formative coursework
There is no formal 'formative assessment' for the course. A variety of 'formative exercises' will be used in the workshop setting aimed at developing and enhancing a range of study skills linked to the study of international relations.
Indicative reading
A.C.McKeil, ‘Student Feature – A Brief Introduction to the Study of International Relations’, e-International Relations, 3 July 2017: http://www.e-ir.info/2017/07/03/student-feature-a-brief-introduction-to-the-study-of-international-relations/
Stella Cottrell, The Study Skills Handbook, 4th ed (Palgrave: 2013)
Learn to speed read tutorial: https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPOIZ6DGXWE
Assessment
There is no summative assessment for this course.
Key facts
Department: International Relations
Total students 2017/18: Unavailable
Average class size 2017/18: Unavailable
Capped 2017/18: No
Value: Non-credit bearing
PDAM skills
- Leadership
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Specialist skills