International History

Russian Foreign And Security Policy

This module examines Russian foreign policy since the end of the Cold War up to the present day, and invites students to explore the following questions: How does Russia view the world? What does Russia want and how will it achieve these aims? What is Russia’s perception of itself in the world and does this match reality? Does the West remain a reference point in Russia’s foreign policy thinking? The module begins by introducing students to the different ways Russian foreign policy has been theorised in International Relations. It then outlines the formation of several foreign policy perspectives across Russia’s political spectrum and examines the roles of domestic actors in foreign policy decision-making. Following this, the course interrogates Russia’s interaction with its external environment, including its relationship with the EU, NATO, the OSCE, the US, the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, China and the non-West, and several international organisations. The module then examines Russia’s approach to a number of policy areas and global security issues, including information and ‘hybrid’ warfare, regional conflicts, emerging non-traditional security challenges, energy security, and intervention and human rights. Finally, students will be expected to consider the future of Russia’s foreign policy direction.

Module code: HIPO70457

Human Security

This module explores the academic debates which surround the concept of human security, in particular, the question of its relationship to human rights, asking, ‘how does human security advance the human rights agenda?’ The module then goes on to examine the impact of the concept in international practice. It examines the way the term has been adopted by key actors, such as the United Nations, European Union and African Union, as well as state actors, and considers the impact of its adoption on policy. It will examine the development of the Responsibility to Protect and the human security issues associated with post-conflict reconstruction. The module then moves on to cover key issues of human security such as health; food; water; environmental degradation; the trafficking in small arms.

Module code: HIPO70456

International Lives

Module code: HIPO70460

Transnationalism And Global Interdependence

Module code: HIPO70459

Dissertation In International Relations (Vle)

Module code: HIPO70402

Diplomacy And The Global World (Vle)

Module code: HIPO70008

Concepts In International History (Vle)

Module code: HIPO70385

Money, Trade And Development In The Global Political Economy

Module code: HIPO70011