Module

What is politics? Who is engaged in politics locally, nationally and internationally? How do we study politics? This online module answers questions like these and explores how political ideas, institutions and processes help govern our world. Using a range of study materials you will explore the interrelationships between politicians, pundits and publics. You will learn the key practical skills that are used to explore and explain the ways in which politics, in all its forms, helps order the social world and provide for the governance of persons and the administration of things.

We live at a time of historic change in the international system. The rise of China and other large developing countries is challenging the long dominance of the west. Political upheaval and the growing role of networks are reshaping the world. Economic, social and technological changes are altering the context for international relations. This module asks the key questions about contemporary international relations. It teaches key ideas such as sovereignty and security; develops your ability to analyse and respond to some of the central problems of our day; and to understand longer trends of continuity and change in global politics.

In this module you'll be investigating what political ideas are, how they are generated and the impact they have locally, nationally and internationally in shaping our world. You'll see how political ideas are studied, assess their significance and discover which thinkers and theorists best help us explore and understand the modern political world. In addition, you'll be encouraged to draw on your own independent study of political ideas and political thinkers. You'll become equipped with the key practical skills needed to carry out research, draw on critical reflection and enable you to learn more of the writing and evaluative skills used to explore and evaluate political ideas.

This module will equip you with the tools to analyse and interpret key global challenges. How the world responds to international division and the rise of new powers, national and global security threats, the crisis of democracy, and global ethical dilemmas, will be at the forefront of your learning. By focusing on these real-world issues you'll gain a deep and comprehensive grounding in the core empirical, conceptual and theoretical debates in International Relations, as well as developing your skills in a range of research methods.

This module is the second part of the MA in International Relations. You'll become equipped with the skills to design, plan and produce a research project addressing some of the key issues in contemporary international relations. Taught through a mix of bespoke masterclasses recorded by Open University experts, teaching chapters, online interactive activities, and peer engagement through forums, this part of the MA will enrich your research toolkit and prepare you to write the final dissertation.