University of York, MA, International Relations

Two Core Modules

• Themes and Theories in International Relations: Students will examine how we come to know what International Relations is, and consider debates over the role of theory in explaining, understanding and constituting International Relations. The module introduces students to a range of contemporary issues in International Relations and explores how application of different conceptual frameworks generates different forms of understanding and explanation.
• New Security Challenges: Security is central to international politics, yet the way in which security is performed and conceptualised has become the subject of increasing debate and controversy. This module aims to provide an advanced appreciation of the key emerging security challenges in international politics today. The perspective is interdisciplinary (drawing on political and international studies, security studies and human geography) and there will be an emphasis on critical approaches to security issues, including poststructuralism and securitisation theory. The module will draw on a range of topical empirical case studies to address the following guiding questions: What are today’s global security threats? How and why do particular domains of life become problems of security? What forms of power and authority are associated with contemporary international security agendas? How are the effects of security practices distributed within and among societies? How do efforts to secure ourselves produce threats and dangers in turn?

Four Option Modules

• Analytical Political Philosophy
• Approaches to Political Theory
• Comparative Institutions and Public Policy
• Conflict and Development
• Contemporary Issues in International Political Economy
• Challenges of Pluralism: Contemporary and Comparative Perspectives
• Critical Theory
• Critical Theories of International Political Economy
• Ethics and World Politics
• European Public Policy
• Governing for the Environment
• International Organisations
• Leading and Managing Change
• Managing Public Finances
• New Security Challenges
• Policy Analysis
  
• Political Research and Analysis
• Politics of International Trade and Development
• Principles of Policy Advice
• Public Management & Delivery
• Qualitative Research in Politics
  
• State, Space and Globalisation
• Strategic Planning
• Themes and Theories in International Relations
• Theories and Policies of Development Governance
• Toleration and Its Enemies
• Topics in the History of Political Thought
• Women, Citizenship and Conflict

Dissertation

During the Summer Term students start work on a dissertation on a topic of their choice. The dissertation is due for submission at the end of the summer vacation.