Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL3248: Marxism(s) and International Relations

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

The module aims to introduce you to Marxist approaches to International Relations. In so doing it will encourage you to consider: theoretical approaches to IR; the relation between capitalism, imperialism, and western hegemony; the role of the state system in global capitalism; the association between globalising capitalism, gendered forms of labour, and concepts of modernity; and the impact of capitalist globalisation on anti-capitalist resistance.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills	1. Critically interrogate the relation between states, the global capitalist economy, and anti-capitalist resistance. 2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the theoretical debates between Marxism and other approaches to IR.
Discipline-Specific Skills	3. Critically reflect on key elements of debates regarding concepts of the state, tendencies of capital accumulation, class, imperialism, and revolution. 4. Display awareness of a range of conceptual frameworks to understand the complex relation between the state system, world politics, and the global capitalist economy.
Personal and Key Skills	5. Critically interrogate complex and abstract ideas 6. Reflect on contemporary issues of world politics through the lens of theoretical approaches. 7. Study independently and manage time and assessment deadlines effectively. 8. Demonstrate critical and analytical skills through tutorial discussions and module assessments. 9. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of the internet, online journal databases and other IT resources for the purposes of tutorial and assessment preparation. 10. Demonstrate effective academic writing. 11. Demonstrate the ability to work independently, within a limited time frame, and without access to external sources, to complete a specified task.

How this Module is Assessed

In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.

Formative Assessment

A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Essay outline	500 words	1-10	Discussed in office hours

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
50	50	0

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Essay	50	2,000 words	1-10	Written
Exam	50	1.5 hours/2 questions (unseen)	1-11	Written
	0
	0
	0
	0

Re-assessment

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Essay	Essay (2000 words)	1-10	August/September reassessment period
Exam	Exam (1.5 hours)	1-11	August/September reassessment period