Keele University Prospectus Postgraduate | 2016 | Page 36

POLITICS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Diplomatic Studies Overview In international politics, the primary day-to-day means of contact between states is through the institution of diplomacy. A rich legal tradition of how this diplomacy is governed has evolved and the practices of diplomacy by states continue to change and shape the patterns of world politics around us. One important way to understand international politics is to examine the practices of diplomats and the contexts within which they operate. Our MA and MRes in Diplomatic Studies aims to meet this need. The first of its kind in the UK, it continues to provide a solid, advanced grounding in the legal foundations and the theory and practice of diplomacy. Many students on the course are from diplomatic backgrounds and so the course provides a useful link between the worlds of academia and of practical policy making. Module titles You are required to complete 180 credits to be awarded the MA in Politics and International Relations in any given pathway. You will study the following core modules: • Advanced Approaches to Politics and International Relations • Research in Action • Perspectives in Politics and International Relations • Dissertation The following is a list of indicative elective modules: • The Changing International Agenda Key Information Course type MA, MRes Mode of study Full-time or part-time Entry requirements Applicants are required to hold a second-class honours degree (2.2 or equivalent) in addition to the relevant language qualifications. For further information please visit th e website. Contact email [email protected] • Diplomatic Law • Diplomatic Practice • Environmental Diplomacy Additional information The course aims to ground you in the central legal, theoretical and practical aspects of diplomacy. It does this within a context of a more general understanding of international relations. It will also prepare you for research, both research that you may do for your dissertation, but also research that you may undertake in your future academic or professional work. The elective modules and the dissertation give you a broad scope in which to pursue topics of your own choosing. 36 www.keele.ac.uk/spire/postgraduate/ diplomaticstudies Good to know In the 2015 Research Excellence Framework, 93% of the research submitted in Politics and International Studies was judged to be in the top three categories of world leading, internationally excellent and internationally recognised.