BA (Hons) International Relations Bachelor's degree at the University of Leeds

This module will introduce students to key themes and topics when studying politics and international studies. You'll understand how you collaborate in an academic community, and gain key skills for academic work, research, and scholarly independence. You'll also be introduced to the main themes and questions surrounding the politics of global challenges.

You'll start this module with a brief historical context, covering some of the key developments in world politics to date. You'll be introduced to many of International Politics' most important concepts including the international system, war, peace, sovereignty, collective security, inequality, and international organisations. You'll also be introduced to regionalism in international affairs, and in particular to the international politics of Asia-Pacific.

In this part of the course you'll understand how our world became increasingly integrated and connected, approaching the concept from economic, political, military and social perspectives. You'll examine the concept of modernity through major historical events, including the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution and the French Revolution – while also challenging their dominant narratives. Later, you'll learn how colonialism has impacted land, health and the climate catastrophe, how colonialis

This module features two separate yet connected components. It compares the nature of politics and processes across different political systems, and it studies how and why we make these comparisons. Featuring both theory and real-life examples, it uses case studies to put its ideas into context.

You will learn here about the different ways we approach research, with a showcase of the latest research in POLIS. This helps introduce you to key ideas like designing and implementing a research project, along with key methods in politics, international development and international relations. You'll gain practical experience of gathering evidence, while many of your other skills developed will transfer well to employment.

This module explores rival approaches to International Relations Theory. You'll analyse each theory, assessing their strengths and weaknesses and developing your critical thinking skills. You'll also attend lectures and seminars which look at contemporary international developments. These let you put the theories you've learned about into practice, and let you consider how theory and practice relate to each other.

This module introduces you to debates on security in international relations. You'll look at the concept, role and making of security in today's international system, and receive an outline of the theories and concepts used in security studies. You'll also analyse important challenges framed as security threats, debate different ideas of security, whose security we can discuss and today's security threats, including conflict, terrorism and climate change.

This module gives you the chance to explore the truth behind various "Euromyths", such as the concept of a superstate overriding the will of national governments. You'll examine how the EU actually works, as well as the roles played by its various institutions.

The focus of this module is basic statistical analysis, which allows us to answer complex questions around human behaviour. Combining mathematics with a hands-on, applied approach, you'll learn how to use and apply numerical data and explain the results of your analysis. The skills learned here will greatly expand your dissertation topics and approaches and are highly valued by employers as well.

You'll explore the origins of American political culture and the constitution, how the President, legislature and Supreme Court are selected, and how they wield power. You'll also consider the influence that political parties, interest groups and the media have on the divisiveness of US politics.

If you're looking for a thorough understanding of contemporary Chinese politics, this module is an essential choice. It discusses the structure of the state, the evolving role of the Chinese Communist Party and how Chinese society is affected by economic and political reforms. You'll also explore political struggles and development strategies in regions such as Xinjiang, and critically engage with relevant literature and policy debates.

This module investigates the concept of the 'African renaissance', brought about by the continent's positive GDP growth and increasing election frequency after the instability of the 1980s. You'll consider if such a narrative is credible and learn more about the continent's various social, political and developmental challenges.

This module explores the political-economic relationship between the industrialised Global North and the industrialised, developing Global South. You'll learn about the key, drivers, characteristics and repercussions of the relationship, include points of conflict and whose interests it works in. You'll also consider the roles played by organisations mediating the relations, as well as the structure of production, trade and regulation.

Your Final Year Project is an extended piece of written work. As its topic is your choice (within guidelines set down by the School) it's an opportunity to research a topic of interest to you in more depth. In addition to advanced research skills, It also gives you project management and communication skills.

This module focuses primarily on British Foreign Policy after the Second World War. It begins with the theory of foreign policy analysis, with later weeks focussing on regions, relationships and events crucial to the policy. Examples include the Anglo-American relationship, former colonial nations like India and Australia, the Post-War Settlement in Europe and the Cold War.

This module offers a feminist, decolonised and intersectional perspective on security, violence and war. You'll come to understand the key concepts around gender, sex and race in international security, explore gender-based violence, and learn how the intersection of gender, sex and race shapes our response to violence and war.

Your focus in this module is the different schools of thought around American foreign policy: specifically, the liberal, realist, neoconservative and critical traditions. You'll be given the tools to interpret and assess the United States' foreign policy following the Cold War, why the invasion of Iraq was considered a necessity by President Bush Jr., and the impact of the Iraq War on the United States' perception of its role in the world.

You'll use this module to receive a deeper understanding of terrorism. Subjects explored include why people engage in terrorism, the threat it poses, and how it can be countered and prevented. You'll come to understand the terrorist life cycle, as well as cases, concepts and debates surrounding the idea.

This module considers the role of the EU in world affairs, along with other important topics like war, peace, human rights and international relations. It looks closely at key players such as the UK, the US, Germany, France and NATO, providing you with a detailed analysis of Europe in a post-Cold War world.

This module explores the role of nuclear weapons in global politics. You'll learn how nuclear weapons have influenced state power and conflict, the role of international institutions and transnational activism. Core concepts you'll study include deterrence, disarmament, security and terrorism, as well as how nuclear weapons have more broadly shaped our politics and society.

In this module you'll receive a thorough grounding in the global political economy, as well as the tools to critically analyse it. It focuses on both global and regional institutions including the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund and the European Union. You'll be guided in each case by core political economy issues, as well as the everyday and lived experience of capitalism.