Politics and International Relations

Transcription

1 Department of Politics and International Relations POSTGRADUATE COURSES IN Politics and International Relations

2 2 University of Leicester Department of Politics and International Relations Our Politics and International Relations Programmes This brochure details all of our Politics and International Relations courses, with information about studying with us: Postgraduate Degree in Politics and International Relations 3 MA in Human Rights and Global Ethics 6 MA in International Relations and World Order 7 MA in International Security 8 MA in Diplomatic Studies (Distance Learning) 9 MA Modules 10 Module Descriptions 11 Your Learning Experience 15 Supporting Your Studies 17 Careers or Further Study 19 How to apply 23 Welcome to Leicester We believe that our world-changing research produces high quality teaching and will inspire you to go further. At Leicester we consider education and knowledge to be a power for good. We re all about pushing the boundaries and discovering ways to improve and change the world for the better. And our research has impact at the cutting edge: The Department of Politics and International Relations collaborates with politicians, special advisers, think-tanks and academics from around the world to develop new ways of understanding the political and ethical dimensions of a range of key issues in contemporary global politics and international relations. But this is not just about what we do this is also about you. We know our work is better in a shared academic community that includes you. Where you re coming from and your journey up to this point will have given you your own personal perspectives and ideas. Your experience, energy and willingness to ask the difficult questions benefits you and us. At Leicester you ll be working with our leading academics who are at the forefront of their disciplines. By sharing their enthusiasm you ll be immersed in a stimulating and innovative learning environment, which will enable you to realise your potential and to compete alongside the very best. Over half of our students are studying at postgraduate level so we understand your needs and concerns whatever your subject or mode of study. Our work with policy-makers, think tanks and government has informed and shaped national and international debates and policy. How will you make your impact? Get the full story at

3 Postgraduate Courses in Politics and International Relations 3 Postgraduate Degrees in Politics and International Relations Our postgraduate degrees are an excellent way to enhance your expertise and career prospects. The Department of Politics and International Relations at Leicester has a long tradition of academic excellence in providing academically exciting and innovative postgraduate taught courses, and we have a successful track record in supervising doctoral research. We pride ourselves on having a friendly and open Department with an experienced group of academics committed to excellence in teaching and research. Recently, the department has enjoyed a period of development and expansion, as dynamic new academics have joined our team. They are all leading experts in their fields, allowing us to offer an even greater array of exciting specialist modules. Whether you are interested in a taught postgraduate course or doctoral research, as a postgraduate in the Department of Politics and International Relations at Leicester you will find yourself in a friendly and lively academic community. The University of Leicester is one of the largest providers of taught campus-based and distance learning postgraduate degrees in the UK, and has established itself as a prominent member of the international academic community with worldwide links in teaching and research. In short, as a postgraduate student you will have the opportunity to study with a major research university. Above all, we seek to make postgraduate study in Politics and International Relations at Leicester an intellectually stimulating and rewarding experience. Our aim is to share with you our enthusiasm and intellectual curiosity about the politics of the world in which we live. We look forward to welcoming you to Leicester and to the Department of Politics and International Relations. Oliver Daddow Director of Postgraduate Studies Department of Politics and International Relations Why study with the Department of Politics and International Relations at Leicester? We were ranked number one politics department in the 2009 and 2010 National Student Surveys. We have established a very strong reputation for research and postgraduate education, with a lively research culture from which our postgraduate students benefit enormously. We conduct a range of specialist research, organised through three research clusters: Intelligence, Security and Strategic Studies; Parties, Participation and Public Opinion; and Global Ethics and Political Theory. 65% of our research is rated as internationally significant. (Research Assessment Exercise 2008) We host an exciting range of events, including research seminars with world-renowned speakers, ESRC sponsored seminar series and international conferences. Our postgraduate programmes are offered via full-time, part-time and distance learning study, enabling you to tailor your study around your other commitments. Our distance learning degrees build on our experience in delivering our campus-based courses and our commitment to providing flexible study options to our students. As one of the largest providers of distance learning courses in the UK, the University is well placed to support you if you choose to study via this route. For more information on our support for distance learning students please see page 16. Our wide range of option modules provides you with the flexibility to tailor your course around your interests, and with the skills and knowledge to move into a variety of careers.

4 4 University of Leicester Department of Politics and International Relations Our Courses We offer four taught postgraduate degrees. The following degrees are offered by full or part-time campus-based study or by distance learning, where you study in your own time from home or a location to suit you. MA International Security MA International Relations and World Order MA Human Rights and Global Ethics MA Diplomatic Studies (Distance Learning) Please note: Our part-time campus based routes are available for Home/EU students only. A Contemporary Approach Our postgraduate programmes are designed to equip you to face the challenges of understanding the politics of today s world. Our Intelligence, Security and Strategic Studies cluster has international expertise in intelligence, UK foreign policy, strategic studies and arms proliferation. The Parties, Participation and Public Opinion cluster conducts internationally rated research on Euroscepticism and immigration, and parties, participation and public opinion in Europe, the US, South Africa and elsewhere. The Global Ethics and Political Theory group has exceptional expertise in challenges to traditional liberal thought, centred on issues such as slavery, gender, statelessness, children and animals. Our research combines outstanding theory with vital research into a range of empirical issues. Our students learn and participate in a highly stimulating environment, and graduate with degrees combining expert insight with a range of highly valued transferrable skills. There is a strong emphasis on independent thinking about critical contemporary issues.

5 Postgraduate Courses in Politics and International Relations 5 Programme Detail and Structure Duration Our campus-based MA degrees can be taken over one year full-time or two years part-time. Our distance learning MA degrees are normally completed in 24 months. Programme Structure MA Campus-Based Structure First semester second semester Start Dates Our campus-based degrees start in September of each year. Our distance learning degrees have two start dates: one in September and another in March Course Structure The structure of each MA course is as follows: One Core Module. Three Option Modules. One Dissertation Module 12-15,000 words. During your dissertation you will be assigned an academic advisor who will support and guide you through the process of designing and writing up your research. Core Module Two Option Modules Plus One Option Module Research-Based Dissertation MA Distance Learning Structure Your First semester Your Subsequent semesters Core Module Three Option Modules Research-Based Dissertation

6 6 University of Leicester Department of Politics and International Relations MA in Human Rights and Global Ethics This course is designed to: equip you with a detailed understanding of human rights and global ethics. achieve a balance between a thorough exploration of the theoretical dimensions of human rights and the consideration of relevant empirical issues, for example the ethics of intelligence, contemporary slavery and the nature of citizenship. provide you with the competencies and skills to understand contemporary debates in human rights and global ethics and to analyse politics and international relations using a mixture of normative, theoretical and empirical tools. Course Detail Recent protests and social movements have advanced a range of political claims to human rights. The global economic crisis is one part of the growing range of ethical, social and political issues that cannot be resolved by states acting alone. Human rights and global ethics are therefore increasingly vital areas of study. Over recent years the idea of human rights has become a central issue in international politics, much of which can no longer be fully understood without an understanding of the politics of human rights. The MA addresses these concerns from the perspective of their global political context. This course provides a thorough grounding in the political and international theory of human rights and global ethics. On this course, you will be exposed to different theoretical and political perspectives on human rights. You will have the chance to study in depth the global political context of pressing ethical issues. The course combines study of the main theories and concepts related to human rights and global ethics with detailed empirical analysis of issues such as intelligence, slavery, citizenship, refugees, animal rights, security and war. The course is designed to equip graduates with knowledge and skills relevant to employment and career development in government, media, business, NGOs, and any professional context in which cross-cultural sensitivity and ethical awareness is a requirement. Course Structure You must complete the The Politics of Human Rights core module plus a further three option modules from the selection on pages 12 to 14. If you wish to continue onto the MA, these modules will be followed by your dissertation.

7 Postgraduate Courses in Politics and International Relations 7 MA in International Relations and World Order This course is designed to: equip you with a detailed understanding of contemporary international relations. achieve a balance between a thorough exploration of the theoretical dimension and the consideration of empirical issues and practical debates in post-cold War international relations. provide you with the competencies and skills to understand contemporary debates in international relations and to analyse international relations using a mixture of theoretical and empirical tools. Course Detail The sudden collapse of the governing international order that came about with the end of the Cold War has conditioned much of the thinking in international relations over the past two decades. The concept of a New World Order has caused considerable debate amongst policymakers and scholars. This course looks at a range of international issues but especially seeks to investigate whether International Relations in the post-cold War period has been founded upon a Western model of World Order. The degree aims to introduce differing concepts of Order in the post-cold War world. It is designed to make you think critically about the nature of international relations: about the extent to which Western interests, institutions and culture dominate the world system and the challenges, responses and resistances generated by that dominance. There is an emphasis upon both theoretical and empirical approaches to this subject. Course Structure You must complete the Post-Cold War World Order core module plus a further three option modules from the selection on pages 12 to 14. If you wish to continue on to the MA, these modules will be followed by your dissertation.

8 8 University of Leicester Department of Politics and International Relations MA in International Security This course is designed to: equip you with an understanding of key issues in contemporary international security. achieve a balance between breadth and depth of study in contemporary international security by providing you with a coherent mixture of theoretical and empirical study. provide you with competencies and skills to understand contemporary international security problems and to be able to analyse international security problems using a mix of theoretical and empirical tools. Course Detail This course provides a thorough grounding in international security, focusing on developments since the end of the Cold War. As the events of 11th September 2001 and the subsequent Global War on Terror promulgated by the world s lone superpower illustrate with shocking clarity, international security remains a vital issue on the global agenda. The search for a stable and just international security order has proven elusive, with war and armed conflict continuing in many parts of the world. At the same time, international security involves much more than states and military conflict. International security problems often stem from complex political, economic, environmental, social and cultural causes, and involve a broad range of non-state actors. The study of security in the contemporary international system thus poses a series of challenging intellectual questions and policy dilemmas, which this course will help you address in an informed and creative manner. The distinctive feature of this course is the way it seeks to integrate two elements: first, the theoretical and conceptual challenges involved in studying international security; and second, the main empirical problems and issues on the contemporary international security agenda. In addition, you will be encouraged to think about the way the security agenda varies in different regions of the world, such as Europe and the Middle East. Course Structure You must complete the International Security core module plus a further three option modules from the selection on pages 12 to 14. If you wish to continue on to the MA, these modules will be followed by your dissertation.

9 Postgraduate Courses in Politics and International Relations 9 MA in Diplomatic Studies (Distance Learning) This course is designed to: equip you with the specific knowledge, language, and transferable skills necessary to prepare you for entry to practical training in diplomacy or a related profession. encourage you to move into a career in diplomacy and provide you with the skills to help you to succeed. provide a sympathetic understanding of diplomacy for those who wish to develop their knowledge of the subject. Course Detail Diplomatic Studies is concerned principally with the modes of diplomacy (for example, the resident ambassador and summitry) and its functions (for example, negotiation and information-gathering). The subject deals not only with contemporary events but also with the origins of diplomatic institutions and the development of diplomatic law. Diplomatic Studies thus embraces different disciplines such as history and international law, as well as political science and international relations. I have examined in either an internal or an external capacity almost all of the other Master s degrees in Diplomacy available in this country and there can be little question that this is the best in terms of both scope and depth. External Examiner Diplomatic Studies has long been an important element in teaching and research in the Department of Politics and International Relations at Leicester. This Master s degree programme has been partly designed for those aspiring to a diplomatic career and for professional diplomats requiring additional training. However, depending on choice of options, it is also appropriate for those wishing to pursue careers in government, defence related work, international organizations, journalism, or teaching; or, of course, for those wishing to proceed to a research degree. Course Structure You must complete the Art of Negotiation core module plus a further three option modules from the selection on pages 12 to 14. If you wish to continue on to the MA, these modules will be followed by your dissertation.

10 10 University of Leicester Department of Politics and International Relations MA Modules Core Modules Your core module will be determined by the MA route you choose (see individual course entries for details). However, you may choose one further core module from the list below to act as an option module. Option Modules up to three from: International Security Post-Cold War World Order The Politics of Human Rights The Art of Negotiation American Interventionism after the Cold War The British Way of Warfare: Counter Insurgency since 1945 Democracy and Legitimacy in the European Union Diplomatic Systems EU Enlargement and Democratic Consolidation in Post-Communist Europe Governance and Corruption Human rights, Ethics, and War in the post-cold war order Intelligence & Security International Migration: Political and Social Aspects The International Politics of Protection South African Foreign Policy: The Diplomacy of Isolation Strategy in the Modern World Theories of International Relations All modules are subject to availability. Module availability on Campus and Distance Learning may differ. Please see pages 12 to 14. Entry Requirements Either a first or good second class honours degree from a British University or its equivalent in Politics History Law International Relations (or other related subjects) In certain cases, equivalent relevant professional experience will be considered. Applicants whose first language is not English are required to have a qualification such as the British Council International English Language Testing System (score 6.5 or above) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (score 90/575).

11 Postgraduate Courses in Politics and International Relations 11 Module Descriptions Core Modules International Security Issues of security and insecurity are central to international relations, as the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the Iraq War of 2003 underline. This module provides you with a thorough grounding in the theory and practice of international security in the contemporary era. It examines the main theoretical and conceptual approaches to the study of international security, before considering a range of contemporary security issues including: the emergence of a zone of stable peace in Europe; the violent break up of Yugoslavia; New Wars in the South; terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; the Iraq War and the future of the Middle East; and the prospects for peace and security in the Twenty-First Century. This module thus provides you with the analytical tools to think critically and independently about the nature of contemporary international security, focusing on developments since the end of the Cold War. Post-Cold War World Order This module critically examines the means by which the West maintains its concept of Order. It will begin by considering the relationship between order and justice in international relations before moving on to consider the idea of a New World Order and assessing its originality. The position of the United States as the sole superpower after the Cold War will be examined and the ability of the US to imprint its model of Order globally will be evaluated. The module will analyse the way Western interests are upheld through concepts of security, the international economic system and international institutions such as the United Nations. A variety of challenges to this Western concept of order will be examined, including those from other parts of the world as well as from various parts of the academic community. and analysis that is at the forefront of debates about how we should live, and about what rights people, groups and states can legitimately claim. The Art of Negotiation (Distance Learning) This module provides students with an understanding of three interrelated elements of Diplomacy. The first is the key concepts of diplomacy, the second is the institutional development from the Renaissance to World War II, and the third looks at the development of Consular Services and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The main part of the module then looks closely at the art of negotiation. Beginning with a consideration of strategy and tactics, it proceeds through the main stages of negotiations, takes in diplomatic momentum en route, and concludes with an examination of the packaging of diplomatic agreements. Module content is stimulating and it seems clear from work I have considered that students have found the modules challenging and rewarding. MA External Examiner The Politics of Human Rights This module provides students with a thorough grounding in human rights, allowing students to explore their nature and development and their relationship to the state and world politics. It considers competing explanations and justifications of human rights and their recognition, and examines their paradoxical nature. Students will also consider the relationship between human rights and citizenship rights, as well as the practical, theoretical and ethical constraints on the achievement of human rights. They will be exposed to theory

12 12 University of Leicester Department of Politics and International Relations Option Modules Campus-based students on our MA degrees will take three optional modules, one in semester one and two in semester two, from the list below. Distance learning students will take one option module in each of their subsequent semesters. Please note that all modules are subject to the availability of our specialist staff. American Interventionism (Distance Learning only) This module will consider the utility of intervention military and nonmilitary for the United States in the modern, post-cold War era. Is US interventionism reactive or the product of a coordinated world view? Is the US better understood as a conservative, isolationist power or as a liberal, activist power? The impact of 9/11 on US foreign policy is a central concern of the module. Several cases studies of American intervention from Somalia and Haiti to Afghanistan and Iraq, and the competing interpretations of these actions form the basis for discussion and research. The British Way of Warfare: Counter Insurgency since 1945 (Campus only) The examples of Iraq and Afghanistan have brought the concept and practice of counter insurgency back to the forefront of security studies. This module sets counter insurgency (CI) in historical context by examining previous case studies and also relating these to the political context of the UK at the time. The experience of CI is also important for other issues it raises, for example the role of the local political context of CI, the issue of human rights and the changing framework of international accountability. Some of the issues the module covers are more narrowly focused such as the use and effectiveness of certain techniques ( winning hearts and minds, the use of intelligence and the use of specialist units). Democracy and Legitimacy in the European Union Democracy and legitimacy are both central concepts to discussions about the future of the European Union (EU). This module is therefore designed to help you develop an understanding of how the EU performs as a political system and to evaluate critically the democratic and administrative deficits in the EU. You will consider the main institutions of the EU, the sources of the EU s legitimacy and questions of public opinion and institutional design. Diplomatic Systems (Distance Learning only) The general aims of this module are to examine (a) the conditions in which diplomacy is stimulated, (b) the nature of the different diplomatic systems that arise as a result of variations in these conditions, and (c) how the effectiveness of a diplomatic system is best judged. The module then proceeds by looking first at diplomacy in various historical and contemporary case studies, including the French system of diplomacy, that is, the diplomatic system of Europe from the seventeenth century until the First World War, as well as a detailed examination of the Anglo- American system of Diplomacy. EU Enlargement and Democratic Consolidation in Post-Communist Europe This module examines the relationship between the European Union and the post-communist states of Central and Eastern Europe from the revolutions of 1989 to the first eastward enlargement of 2004 and beyond. It considers the meaning of terms such as democratic transition and consolidation, and looks both at the process of conditionality whereby the EU promotes reform through offering the prospect of membership and at the extent of Europeanisation in new EU member states. The module enables students to practise comparative political analysis by explaining differing developments in a broad range of states with a communist past. Governance and Corruption Corruption is the single greatest obstacle to global economic and social development. It distorts the rule of law and weakens the institutional foundation on which economic growth depends (World Bank). The problem of corruption in all its different guises and contexts is not a new one. Corruption has existed in all societies, for as long as humans have conferred authority on rulers there has always been the threat that those rulers will use that authority for personal, rather than public, advantage. After the end of the

13 Postgraduate Courses in Politics and International Relations 13 Cold War, corruption viewed a growing interest among academics and political practitioners. The objective of this module is to shed light on the concept, its measurement, causes and effects by developing analytical and theoretical tools that will allow us to analyse corruption across both time and space. Human Rights, Ethics and War in the Post Cold War Order This module engages with the key debates in cotemporary international relations about war, intervention, human rights and sovereignty. Since the end of the Cold War it has become increasingly accepted that powerful nations have a right and responsibility to intervene on behalf of others. The post-cold War era is argued to be allowing a shifting of moral boundaries away from the state and the national community towards more cosmopolitan conceptions of community and the extension of rights and justice beyond the state border. In this module we will consider this shift in both contemporary theory and in international politics. Intelligence and Security The events of 9/11 and the subsequent war on terror have made intelligence more central to the study of politics and international relations than at any time previously, reviving old debates and generating new ones. This module considers key issues relating to intelligence. What exactly is intelligence? Who seeks to develop it, why and how? Why does it fail? Is a degree of failure inevitable? How accountable are intelligence services? How accountable should they be? The module also considers the role of intelligence in specific national and historical contexts for example, intelligence and political culture in the UK and US, intelligence under communism, and intelligence and the Northern Ireland conflict and examines contemporary debates concerning intelligence failure relating to the 9/11 attacks, the decision to go to war in Iraq and the July 2005 London bombings. International Migration Migrations are not isolated phenomena; large scale movements of people arise from the accelerated process of global integration and global cultural interchange, and are facilitated by political changes, improved transport, the electronic media and well-organised smugglers networks. Although international migration is not an invention of the 20th century, this course will look at contemporary international migrations and the way they are changing contemporary European political and social spaces. We will look at the interplay between forces of political and social regulation and forces of social agency which respectively constrain and enable migrants to create spaces of control in the receiving countries. We will also look at challenges this phenomenon poses for national and European citizenship given the increasing cultural heterogeneity, the diversity of ethnonational identities and the growing awareness of the de facto multicultural character of the EU s member states. The International Politics of Protection (Distance Learning only) Protection is central to the theory and practice of politics. From social contract theory and the consolidation of the modern state to cosmopolitan theory, human rights and state-building, protection remains a central concept. This module sets out to examine the scope and limits of protection in contemporary international politics, asking about the agents, relationships and norms that help protect individual persons and groups from a range of threats and other sources of harm. The module also offers students an insight into the substantial and increasingly prominent international concern of statelessness. In so doing the module examines the theory and practice of nationality and discrimination and their implications for protection of vulnerable individuals and groups.

14 14 University of Leicester Department of Politics and International Relations South African Foreign Policy This module will introduce students to the study of South Africa s international relations in the post-war period. It aims to provide a lively and provocative exploration of the key debates in the country s foreign relations during the apartheid period and, more recently, in the post-1994 democratic era. By the end of the module students should have developed a sophisticated understanding of South Africa s global and regional interactions in those two distinct periods and be able to apply that knowledge in a number of different academic settings. The module will also examine, within a South African context, some of the issues commonly raised in the broader study of international Relations such as realism versus interdependence, the hegemonic ambitions of regional powers, interactions between regional middle powers and the great powers, the impact of a state s domestic political system upon its foreign relations, and the role which ethical considerations can play in the formulation and implementation of a state s foreign policy. Strategy in the Modern World This module provides students with a comprehensive introduction to debates about the threat, use and management of military force in international relations. It is intended to provide a comprehensive understanding of the wide ranging nature of Strategy and its core components; the major challenges, constraints, and dilemmas that face strategists when considering the use of force; how thinking about strategy has evolved; the tools and options available to strategists to deal with modern problems in international politics; the types of issues facing strategists in the modern world (such as counterintelligence, pre-emptive war, terrorism, WMD proliferation, cyber warfare); and how these dynamics might evolve in the future. While focusing on the key dynamics of strategy and warfare in the contemporary world, the module also locates these key technological, social and political dynamics within broader historical perspectives of warfare and strategic thinking. Theories of International Relations This module introduces students to the role of theory in the study of international relations. In so doing it provides a survey of orthodox and critical theoretical approaches within the academic discipline of International Relations. Theories are discussed chronologically beginning with classical theories and continuing on to modern and contemporary theories. The module will also assess the relationship between theory, politics and ethics, and finally it will examine the usefulness of different theories in explaining contemporary international relations. The key assumption of the module is that a thorough knowledge of International Theory is central to explaining, understanding and analysing the most significant empirical aspects of the discipline of International Relations.

15 Postgraduate Courses in Politics and International Relations 15 Your Learning Experience Campus-Based How much study time will I need? Each module lasts for one semester (12 weeks) and normally involves two hours of teaching per week. Full-time students are required to complete four modules by the end of the second semester and, for those progressing to the MA, to submit their dissertation by the end of September. How will I be assessed? Assessment is through a mixture of: Essays Presentations Dissertation (12-15,000 words) David Wilson Library contains over one million books and publications and obtains extensive numbers of research journals that are vital to the field of politics and international relations. The Library receives Official UK Government Publications and it is a European Documentation Centre. The on-campus teaching experience will offer a variety of stimulating approaches to teaching. Traditional modes of education will be complemented by innovative use of the latest information technology to make the student learning experience exciting and inspiring. What facilities will I have access to? You will have access to a number of computing facilities across the University campus. Campus computer systems are also linked to the Internet. The University s

16 16 University of Leicester Department of Politics and International Relations Distance Learning at Leicester We re one of the UK s leading research and teaching universities with over 20 years experience of offering high quality distance learning courses. More than 25,000 students have graduated from our Distance Learning programmes. Distance Learning means studying at home in your own time and space, so you can combine achieving a qualification with work or family commitments. You will benefit from studying with a University that has a huge amount of experience in this kind of learning. We have more than 8,000 students currently studying by Distance Learning with us, making it part of our core educational provision. Distance Learning How will I be taught? Our supported distance learning courses are delivered online. The University s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), Blackboard, will be the primary mode of course delivery in terms of teaching facilities, provision of course materials and, importantly, student support. The Department team take the delivery of distance learning very seriously and will make every effort to make the experience enjoyable and rewarding. Therefore establishing mutually understood working relationships will be a key aspect of this mode of teaching. You will be supported by a dedicated team of tutors and support staff available through Blackboard and . To make distance learning work for you, you will need to develop or refine your skills in time-management and self-motivation, as well as commitment to academic study. This can be very demanding and so the course team offers you support by and through discussion groups. Administrative support is available by telephone, and students can contact their personal tutor via telephone or Skype. You will be encouraged to contact other students to share views, ideas and issues and to create a virtual student community. We also offer strong library provision for our distance learning students including use of the Leicester Digital Library. At every stage of your Distance Learning studies you will feel the benefit of Leicester s expertise in this field and the friendly support of the course team. Will I need any special materials? Because of the online nature of the course delivery through the use of Blackboard, distance learning students will require Information and Communication Technology facilities. You will also need to make sure that you have regular access to the internet in order that you can interact fully with Blackboard. Further, to make full use of Blackboard you may prefer to have a Broadband connection. How much study time will I need? You will need to set aside approximately hours per week for studying. How will I be assessed? Each module will be assessed in a manner that best reflects achievements of its learning objects; Summative assessment is by Article Analyses, Essays and the Dissertation (12-15,000 words) You will also work on Essay plans, Contribution to discussion boards, Text reviews and Argument plans You will take a pre-dissertation module and submit a dissertation proposal. An academic advisor who will support you during the dissertation will then be assigned. For further information, please visit our website at

17 Postgraduate Courses in Politics and International Relations 17 Supporting Your Studies Study Support Whether returning to education or continuing with your studies straight from undergraduate level, there is always scope to refresh, extend and develop your academic skills. Learning Development runs workshops, provide resources and offer one-to-one consultations to help you maximise your academic potential. Distance Learning students have access to postal book loans, allowing you to borrow up to four books at a time as well as access to electronic resources. There is a dedicated distance learning area on the Library s website which explains the support you will receive in detail: Dyslexia or Disability Support The AccessAbility Centre provides pre-entry discussions or visits to discuss your support requirements, assistance with Disabled Students Allowance Applications; space to work or rest, and specialist equipment and study support resources. Each department has an AccessAbility tutor who can advise you and further details of support can be found at International Students The International Office can provide all the information you need about applying for a course at the University of Leicester and can advise on Scholarships, English Language programmes and acceptability of international qualifications. The International Office can be contacted via their webpage at The Graduate School The Graduate School provides a University-wide framework for training, study support and career preparation, helping postgraduate students achieve their potential. All of our postgraduate students are members of the University s Graduate School. Financial support It is important that you have enough funds to cover the full cost of your course and living expenses before you start so you need to begin your research into possible funding as soon as possible. The Graduate Admissions Office can provide further information about funding postgraduate study.

18 18 University of Leicester Department of Politics and International Relations Library We continually invest in all our facilities to meet the needs of all our students. The award-winning David Wilson Library is a stunning light, airy five-storey building providing state-of-the-art facilities. Self-service loan and return, group study rooms, hundreds of PCs, wireless access throughout, staffed Help Zones, 24-hour opening during term time, plus a bookshop and café create a study environment second to none. As a postgraduate, you will also benefit from the Graduate School Reading Room for the exclusive use of postgraduates and staff, which has additional study spaces and bookable group study rooms. A PC zone is also reserved for postgraduates. We invest over 6m a year in the Library. It includes access to over a million printed volumes and our Leicester Digital Library of tens of thousands of journals, over 350 e- books and the Leicester Research Archive of research papers and theses from members of the University. You can use the Digital Library from anywhere you have an Internet connection. The Library also has extensive collections of rare books and archives, ranging from the 12th to the 21st centuries, with particular strengths in English local history, medieval manuscripts and the work of a number of modern literary authors. There are also Information Librarians for each subject area, who can provide detailed advice for your discipline and help you make the most of the resources available in the Library and on the web. In 2012 the Library won the prestigious Times Higher Education Outstanding Library Team award. The Library:

19 Postgraduate Courses in Politics and International Relations 19 Careers or Further Study Further Study You are encouraged to consider further research after you graduate. The Politics and International Relations Department offers supervision for the research degrees of MPhil and PhD. There is a healthy community of doctoral research students studying a wide variety of topics. Doctoral work often leads to employment in research-related areas and to University lecturing. For information on the research interests of our staff please see our website at Careers Our Careers Service is dedicated providing guidance and support throughout your time with us and there is a huge range of programmes and opportunities to help you get ahead in your chosen career, or enhance or reshape your existing role. Build on your talents and add to your CV with the employability programmes offered by the Careers Service such as the Leicester Award for Employability. This scheme offers accredited training and development courses in Leadership and Management, Business and Enterprise and Community Engagement. For general advice you can visit the Careers Service or access their website and make the most of their superb resources and personalised careers guidance at any point. You can take part in one-to-one careers consultations, workshops and webinars, covering interview and assessment centre skills, psychometric testing, CV and covering letter workshops and much more. There are seminars designed to give insights into specific career paths or professions, guest speakers from employers and regular careers fairs, giving you the chance to make contacts and find out more. Past Students Graduates of our postgraduate courses now work in foreign services and government departments worldwide, at the UN Headquarters, and for the EU. Others have gone into careers in law, the Civil Service, the police, banking, journalism, management consultancy, librarianship and teaching. My 2+ years of hard studying (I have completed this degree while being stationed in Zimbabwe then Haiti and now the US) has now yielded results and I am so grateful to have gone through this program. It has certainly empowered me with the knowledge and skills to accelerate my career. The courses, content, infrastructure of your e-learning and the support from you and the IRDL team has been phenomenal. Thomas Myhern: MA in IRWO When I enrolled for the Masters in Diplomatic Studies by correspondence, my plan was, first and foremost, to obtain a degree that would lead to the enchancement of my career at the international organisation where I work. After two years of hard work, trying to find the perfect balance between my personal, professional and academic life, I ve managed to do just that. My degree at Leicester has indeed opened up new doors for a career opportunity that wouldn t have materialised had I not succeeded in the course. Simply put, my MA has been one of the best investments in myself, at a renowned university which is very well-regarded in professional circles. Aaron Cachia: MA in Diplomatic Studies

20 20 University of Leicester Department of Politics and International Relations We re shedding new light on multi-party politics in Britain. How will you make your mark? In the first academic study of its kind, researchers from the Department of Politics and International Relations examined the attributes and attitudes of UKIP candidates and voters at the 2010 general election. The diversity of characteristics and concerns they identified challenge the perception that UKIP is simply a single-issue party or the Tory party in exile. Discover more:

21 Postgraduate Courses in Politics and International Relations 21 Student Life Campus On our bustling compact campus it s impossible to walk from one end to the other without bumping into someone you know along the way. The campus is a vibrant community, with all manner of places to meet, eat and drink, as well as study. We re committed to providing you with high quality facilities and our 1bn campus development plan ensures all our resources meet the needs of modern and ambitious students. Students Union The Students Union is brimming with opportunities that will make your time at Leicester unforgettable. The spectacular Percy Gee building boasts superb facilities, from bookshops to bars and the fantastic live music venue, O 2 Academy Leicester. You are encouraged to get involved with the SU there are over 200 student societies covering a huge range sport, politics, media, performing arts and much, much more. It s a great way of meeting new people, gaining skills or trying something completely different! Accommodation Our accommodation offers you a wide variety of choice. Whether you fancy self-catered or catered, en-suite or standard, there will be a package to suit you. Our halls at Oadby are surrounded by beautiful Botanic Gardens and offer a thriving social life. Accommodation in the city gives you independence and the amenities of Leicester right on your doorstep. You are guaranteed a room in halls if you apply for accommodation by 1 September of your year of entry.

22 22 University of Leicester Department of Politics and International Relations Summer Sundae Mike Massaro City Leicester is a lively and diverse city and the tenth largest in Britain. It has all the activities and facilities you would expect, with a friendly and safe atmosphere. The city centre is just a short walk from campus so you ll never be far from the action. Leicester s diverse heritage is reflected in a dazzling array of festivals and cultural experiences including the largest Diwali celebrations outside India, the UK s longest running Comedy Festival, the eclectic Summer Sundae Music Festival, and the University s hugely successful book festival Literary Leicester. Recent developments have led to the opening of the world-class Curve Theatre and Phoenix Square Independent Arts Centre in the new Cultural Quarter, which complement Leicester s existing array of cinemas, theatres, museums and galleries. The sparkling Highcross complex features 110,000 square metres of retail therapy, bars, cafés and restaurants. For those with independent tastes Leicester Lanes houses a variety of boutiques and specialist shops. As you would expect from a true student city, there is a huge range of bars, clubs and live music venues that cater for all kinds of tastes. Food lovers are treated to a fantastic selection of restaurants, with specialities available from every corner of the world.

23 Postgraduate Courses in Politics and International Relations 23 How To Apply Campus-based Courses Applying by Post Completed application forms together with evidence of your qualifications and ability to fund your studies should be sent direct to the Postgraduate Admissions Office (see below). Please send: Application form Copies of qualification certificates/transcripts Proof of English language competency for those applicants whose first language is not English Two completed reference forms these should be passed to your referees for completion and returned with the application form Applying online You can apply online via the University s website at Supporting documents can be uploaded or posted to the address below. Here is a checklist of supporting documents that you will need to send: Copies of qualification certificates/transcripts Distance Learning Courses Applying online You can apply online via the University s website at Supporting documents can be uploaded or posted to the address below. Here is a checklist of supporting documents that you will need to send: Copies of qualification certificates/transcripts Proof of English language competency for those applicants whose first language is not English Two completed reference forms Distance Learning Enquiries and Address for Supporting Documents Distance Learning Programme Administrator Department of Politics and International Relations University of Leicester University Road Leicester LE1 7RH. UK T: +44 (0) W: E: irdl@le.ac.uk Proof of English language competency for those applicants whose first language is not English Two completed reference forms Send all campus-based supporting documents to: Postgraduate Admissions Office University of Leicester University Road Leicester LE1 7RH United Kingdom Campus-based Enquiries The Postgraduate Admissions Secretary Department of Politics and International Relations University of Leicester University Road Leicester LE1 7RH. UK T: +44 (0) W: E: politicspg@le.ac.uk