International Relations and Development
(BA) International Relations and Development
Entry for 2021
FHEQ level
This course is set at Level 6 in the national Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.
Course Aims
For students in International Relations
1. To provide a first degree level understanding of the nature and importance of international relations in the contemporary world.
2. To enable students to develop a critical understanding of the major theoretical approaches in the field of International Relations.
3. To develop students' abilities to critically analyse international events, ideas, institutions and practices both in the past and in the present.
4. To provide students with opportunities to develop their intellectual, personal and interpersonal skills so as to enable them to participate meaningfully in their societies.
For students in International Development
1. To equip students with a first degree level understanding of international development that is rooted in the disciplines of anthropology, international relations, geography, economics and history.
2. To gain an understanding of the history of international development, including its origins in colonialism; a knowledge of core theories of development (both orthodox and critical); and an understanding of current development practice and key contemporary issues.
3. To train students in a range of tools and skills with relevance to international development.
4. To provide an intellectual environment that encourages and supports student initiative with respect to engagement in contemporary development issues.
Course learning outcomes
An understanding of the core concepts and questions that define the discipline of IR.
A familiarity with the key theoretical traditions of IR as an academic discipline.
A basic knowledge of the history of modern international relations.
An understanding of the significance of the world economy for the nature of the international system.
An understanding of theoretical debates in international development and their relevance for contemporary development practice.
An understanding of the historical, economic, social, environmental and cultural aspects of development.
A knowledge of practical and research skills in international development and the ability to apply these.
An understanding of key contemporary issues in international development.
The ability to carry out a sustained independent research project in international development.
An understanding of key development concepts.
Ability to communicate effectively with others and to present material both orally and in writing.
Ability to deploy a range of communication and information technology skills.
Ability to present concise and cogently structured arguments, both orally and in writing.
Ability to carry out critical analysis on complex issues related to the discipline.
Full-time course composition
About your joint honours course
Sussex has always promoted interdisciplinary study by encouraging students to combine different subjects and different approaches to learning. Joint-honours courses are an ideal option if you want to study more than one subject in depth. A key idea behind joint-honours is to experience the range of ways that different academic disciplines use to teach, learn and research. Those differences are stimulating and challenging, but they can also be confusing, so you will find some useful information below to help you get the most out of your course.
- To find information about the individual modules that make up your course, go to the school that teaches the module. Each module is assessed by the school that teaches it, so on their website you will find (under “student information”) information about the assessment criteria being used, the referencing style you need to use for your work, contact times for your tutors, information about the student reps scheme and lots of other useful information.
- To find general information about joint honours, use the Frequently Asked Questions list
- For information about the rules and regulations that govern all Sussex students, start with the general student handbook
- For help in improving your study skills, using the library and with careers, try the Skills Hub.
And if you have any other questions, contact the convenors for your course; they are here to help you.
Useful links
Please note that the University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver courses and modules in accordance with the descriptions set out here. However, the University keeps its courses and modules under review with the aim of enhancing quality. Some changes may therefore be made to the form or content of courses or modules shown as part of the normal process of curriculum management.
The University reserves the right to make changes to the contents or methods of delivery of, or to discontinue, merge or combine modules, if such action is reasonably considered necessary by the University. If there are not sufficient student numbers to make a module viable, the University reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the University withdraws or discontinues a module, it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative module.