Master of Philosophy in International Relations
Differences from 2020/21 to 2023/24
1. The regulationsprogramme madeshall bybe under the supervision of the International Relations Graduate Studies Committee are as follows:
First-Year Examination
Every candidate must pass a first-year examination beforeof the endDepartment of Politics and International Relations, which is under the supervision of the thirdSocial termSciences fromDivisional commencementBoard.
2. Candidates will be required to follow a full-time course of the course unless given exemption by the International Relations Graduate Studies Committee. The first-year examination shall be set and administered by the examiners appointed to examineinstruction for thesix Mterms.Phil
3. inThe International Relations. This testexaminations shall consist of twothe parts, as followsfollowing:
4.
1.CandidatesAwillsingle, three-hour examination paper covering material fromcomplete thecore papers as taught in thefirst year,namely:core course (The Development of the International System
: The history of the relations between states in peaceandwar, and the development of the international system. It will include such topics as: major traditions of thought on International Relations; 19th century imperialism and euro-centrism; the concert system, the balance of power and the causes of the First World War; the peace settlement, collective security and the League of Nations; political and economic co-operation in the interwar period; the USA, Soviet Union, Middle East and Far East in the inter-war years; the impact of revolution, domestic politics and ideology on foreign policy; the causes of the Second World War; post-war reconstruction and the origins of the Cold War; the nuclear revolution and the impact of technological change; the evolution of the Cold war; decolonization, nationalism and self-determination; détente, arms control and regional conflicts; the end of the Cold War; the evolution of international economic institutions; the evolution of security institutions; and international relations in the post-Cold War world.Contemporary Debates in International Relations Theory
: Ideas about, and explanations of, international relations, concentrating mainly (but not exclusively)onassessedthebymajoratheoreticalwrittenapproaches in the academic study of international relations since 1945examination.The key theories and approaches to be examined include: realism and neo-realism; theories about war, security, and the use of force in international relations; classical liberalism, globalization, and transformation in world politics; theories about inter-state co-operation and transnationalism; the concept of international society; constructivism and the impact of law and norms in international relations; neo-Marxist and critical theory approaches to international relations; normative theory and international ethics.
Qualifying Examination
Details of the scope and coverage are given in the Student Handbook.
5. 2.Candidates Awill designated course of research methods training covering material from the programme as taught in the first year, including written work and/or tests in statistics and incomplete Research Design and Methods in International Relations. The(Combined) assessed by coursework, full details of thesewhich requirementswill arebe set out in the StudentCourse Handbook and on the University’s Virtual Learning Environment.
36. To pass the qualifying examination and proceed to the second year each candidate must pass both courses. Candidates who fail either or both of the first-year written examinationscourse will normally be allowedable to retake the failed paper(s)it before the beginning of the next academic year.
Final Examination
No candidate shall enter the final examination unless he or she has already passed the first-year examination or has been granted exemption by the Graduate Studies Committee as stated above7. In the final examination every candidate must offer:
1.A thesis of not more than 30,000 words, excluding bibliography, to be submitted electronically by noon on Monday in the first week of the Trinity Full Term in which the examination is to be taken. On submitting the thesis, candidatesCandidates willalsotakebetworequiredoptionto submit an online declaration of authorship. The examiners shall excludepapers fromconsideration any part of the thesis which is not the candidate’s own work or which has been or will be submitted to satisfy the requirements of another course, and the examiners shall have power to require the candidate to produce for their inspection the work so submitted or to be submitted. After the examination process is complete, each successful candidate must deposit one hardbound copy of their thesis in the Bodleian Library.
2.Two subject papers taken from the approveda list ofoptionalthosesubjects in International Relations, as published in theStudent Handbookapproved by the International Relations Graduate Studies Committeeon Monday of first week of Michaelmas Term each academic year to apply to candidates being examined in the Trinity Term of that year.Candidates should note that the International Relations subjects available in any particular year will depend on the availability of teaching resources. Not all subjects will be available in every year and restrictions may be placed on the number of candidates permitted to offer certain subjects in any particular year. Candidates may, withWith the special permission of the International Relations Graduate Studies Committee candidates may take an option paper from outside this list. Option papers will be assessed by written examination,offerresearchsubjectspaperbeyondor essay as set out in theapprovedCourselistHandbook and on the University’s Virtual Learning Environment.8. Candidates will submit a thesis of
InternationalnotRelationsmoresubjectsthan 30,000 words by noon on Monday of Week 1 of Trinity term.9.
ApplicationsOption paper essays or research papers and the thesis must bemadesubmittedbyusing thelastUniversityFridayapprovedofonline submission system. Technical information on theTrinityrequirementsTermforprecedingonlinethatsubmissions is provided inwhichthe Course Handbook and on theexamination is to be taken, and must be supported by the studentUniversity’ssupervisorVirtual Learning Environment.Supervisors should ensure that applications are submitted as early as possible so that if approval is not given, the candidate has sufficient time to choose an alternative.310. Candidates must present themselves for viva voce examination when requested by the examiners. The examiners shall not normally fail any candidate without invitinghim or herthem to attend such an examination. However, in the case of a failing mark in two of a candidate's final examination papers, the examiners shall not be obliged to ask the candidate for a viva.