BA (Hons) International Relations Bachelor's degree at Goldsmiths, University of London

This module introduces you to the study of world politics, emphasising that there are different and competing perspectives on how to approach the subject. In the first term, it introduces you to the three dominant paradigms (Realism, Pluralism and Structuralism) that defined the discipline of International Relations (IR) throughout the 20th Century. It situates those paradigms in the historical context in which they were developed and critically examines both their contribution to our understand

This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the importance of colonialism and imperialism, and resistance to these, in the shaping of our world. It treats 'culture', including forms of 'art', as central to politics. It begins by considering non-Western forms of politics, civilization and culture prior to colonial domination. The rest of the module explores the forms of political, cultural, aesthetic and ideological interaction, and change, engendered in the module of the colonial en

This module is designed to introduce you to some of the fundamental concepts, theories and ideologies that influence our understanding and evaluation of the political world. The module explores key political concepts such as legitimacy, democracy, liberty, equality and justice by introducing some of the ideas of major political thinkers such as Hobbes, Bentham, Locke, Kant, Marx, J.S. Mill, Rawls and Nozick. The module also introduces students to major political ideologies including liberalism,

This module explores debates surrounding the concept of global governance and evaluates the power of international organisations in world politics. Global governance is generally framed as a response to the increased prevalence of transnational concerns and problems that cannot be resolved by individual sovereign states. We will look at theoretical frameworks to explain and evaluate global governance, including realist, constructivist, feminist and critical theory approaches. We will also examin

To gain a more sophisticated (and less prejudiced) knowledge of "rough politics" is particularly vital today, as the age of globalisation seems to be framed by the conflict between the rule of law represented by western democracies, and the violent disorder embodied by the Global South. In studying this shadowy territory we will touch upon fundamental issues for today's social sciences: the afterlives of Twentieth Century revolutionary politics, the connections between political violence and rel

Our academic Schools are developing exciting elective ideas to allow you to broaden your education, either to develop vocationally orientated experiences or to learn more about contemporary society, culture and politics. You'll be able to choose safe in the knowledge that these modules have been designed for non-subject specialists and to bring students from different disciplines together. For example, you may want to take introductions to areas such as Law, Education, the digital industries, th

A dissertation is an extended piece of research and writing on a subject of your own choosing. It should be a pleasurable process that allows you to explore in greater depth a question or problem, which lends itself to research and rigorous analysis You'll be responsible for undertaking the relevant reading, planning and organising of your research, but throughout the process you will receive advice and guidance from your supervisor. A dissertation can take many forms depending on your research

Since the end of the Cold War, both the theory and practice of international security have undergone radical changes. In the era of globalisation, security is no longer confined to questions of interstate conflict and cooperation but embraces a plethora of new concerns. Most significant among these is the prevalence of new wars fought within rather than between states and the range of phenomena such as environmental destruction, transnational criminal activity, development and insecurity, and mi