1. International Relations course director welcome talk
Lee Jarvis
September 2016

2. 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 _______

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. (Some of) our books

7. 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

8. 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

9. Your timetable

10. Blackboard

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

12. 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

13. Any questions?

14. 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).

15. Thanks for listening!