International Relations course director welcome talk Lee Jarvis September 2016

A quick quiz According to the democracy index: The world’s most democratic country is __________ The world’s least democratic country is __________ China’s defence spending is US $129.4 billion per year. The United States is ____________ $596.9 billion These 3 countries make up the top 5 _____________ _________ is the largest recipient of foreign aid. There are ____ forcibly displaced people worldwide The most deadly terrorist group in the world is _______

What is International Relations? Short answer: It depends who you ask! Which actors matter? States – China, United States, Mauritius International Organisations – United Nations, European Union, World Bank Non-state actors – al Qaeda, Greenpeace Corporations – Facebook, Google, Apple People – Communities, classes, individuals, nations, diasporas

What is International Relations? Which issues matter? War – and peace Political economy – trade, finance Development – poverty, Environmental issues – climate change, deforestation Human rights Same as it ever was? 1648 Peace of Westphalia Globalisation ‘New wars’ and ‘new terrorism’ Post-colonialism US decline Rising powers

International Relations at UEA We have… Seven different International Relations degrees Many PhD students doing cutting edge work in IR E.g. Akin Oyawale’s fieldwork in Nigeria A strong research community of academics, working on topics within: IR Theory International Law Migration International security, conflict, war and terrorism Foreign policy Global political economy And on a range of countries in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. You! An excellent and inspiring undergraduate community

(Some of) our books

Your International Relations degree Year 1: Global Politics I and Global Politics II: Core concepts and debates within International Relations Introduction to Contemporary Politics: Key issues within Politics and IR, e.g. liberal democracy, globalisation and the media Plus optional modules Year 2: International Relations Theory Year 3: No compulsory modules Dissertation is optional

Your degree – some FAQ’s Your first year: Need to pass to progress (40%) Grades do not count toward your overall degree But – they do show up on your degree transcript You normally need to take 120 credits per year Usually 6 X 20 credit modules or – in your final year – 4 X 30 credit modules Your timetable: Check this electronically every week via evision Rooms do change even within modules Reading lists and course information: Find this electronically via blackboard

Your timetable

Blackboard

Words and things Lecture; Seminar; Tutorial Course; Module Lecturer; Module Convener; Course Director Feedback; Formative feedback; Summative feedback

Help! Administrative support, Pastoral support, E.g. module change requests, timetable queries, paperwork: The Hub – ground floor of the Arts Building The PPL School Office – ground floor of the Arts Building Pastoral support, E.g. Illness, home sickness, university life Personal Advisor Student Support Services Questions about your studies: Course conveners will be able to answer questions about specific modules Office hours Course director will be able to answer broader questions Your peer mentor

Any questions?

A quick quiz According to the democracy index: The world’s most democratic country is Norway Then Switzerland, then Sweden. Germany is 8th; UK is 13th; US 16th The world’s least democratic country is Syria Then Yemen and the Ivory Coast. China’s defence spending is US $129.4 billion per year. The United States is $596.9 billion These 3 countries make up the top 5: Saudi Arabia, Russia, UK Egypt is the largest recipient of foreign aid. 5,506 $million per year, followed by Afghanistan and Vietnam. There are 65.3 million forcibly displaced people worldwide The largest number ever. The most deadly terrorist group in the world is _______ Boko Haram, according to the Institute for Economics and Peace (civilians killed).

Thanks for listening!