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International relations: continuity and change in global politics

We live at a time of historic change in the international system. The rise of China and other developing countries, as well as the resurgence of Russian militarism, is challenging the long dominance of the west. Political upheaval and the growing role of networks are reshaping the world. Economic, social and technological changes are altering the context for international relations. This module asks the key questions about contemporary international relations. It teaches key ideas such as sovereignty and security; develops your ability to analyse and respond to some of the central problems of our day; and to understand longer trends of continuity and change in global politics.

Modules count towards OU qualifications

OU qualifications are modular in structure; the credits from this undergraduate module could count towards a certificate of higher education, diploma of higher education, foundation degree or honours degree.

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Module

Module code

DD313

Credits

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
60

Study level

Across the UK, there are two parallel frameworks for higher education qualifications, the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Northern Ireland and Wales (FHEQ) and the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). These define a hierarchy of levels and describe the achievement expected at each level. The information provided shows how OU module levels correspond to these frameworks.
Level of Study
OU SCQF FHEQ
3 10 6

Study method

Module cost

Entry requirements

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What you will study

This module is of interest to anyone who wants to understand the key areas of change and major problems in international relations today.

The module is organised around a series of problem areas, or choices, facing the world today.

  • Will the rise of China lead to greater co-operation or conflict with the United States (US)?
  • Is political and economic change leading to a more uniform world or one split by inequalities and difference?
  • Can justice be pursued at the international level in the areas of humanitarian intervention and global inequality?
  • Can issue areas as diverse as economic relations between China and the US, nuclear proliferation and arms control be governed effectively at the international or global level?
  • How do states and other players pursue security in the international system?

Each of these forms the focus for the first five blocks of the module.

Block 1: Co-operation or conflict? Introducing international relations
The first block begins with China’s deepening interconnections with the US and analyses whether this key relationship will lead to greater co-operation or conflict. It also sets out the scope of international relations as a subject.

Block 2: Flat or uneven? Change and transformation in the international system
This block tackles the rise of the modern system of nation states and asks: is the world getting ‘flatter’ or more uneven? That is, are the political systems and economies in the world becoming increasingly similar – liberal, democratic and rich – or is the world more diverse, unequal and divided than ever?

Block 3: Just or unjust? Intervention and equality in the international system
The third block asks whether justice can be achieved in the international system and whether ideas about universal rights can – or should – be applied across the world. Does the historical dominance of the west continue to create injustices in the world today?

Block 4: Top-down or bottom-up? Governance in the international system
This block looks at global governance and whether international co-operation is achieved from the top down, in relations between powerful states, or from the bottom up, through the actions of transnational networks of activists.

Block 5: Secure or insecure? Pursuing security in the international system
The fifth block assesses how states have traditionally pursued their own security through the balance of power and nuclear deterrence. It questions whose security is being safeguarded and draws on feminist analysis to look at the particular role of gender in war. And it asks how we change an issue dramatically when we say it is a matter of ‘security’.

Block 6: Continuity or change in global politics
The final block looks back over the module and prepares the ground for your end-of-module assessment.

In addressing these questions, the module provides you with a knowledge of the main ideas, theories and concepts that scholars in international relations have developed to analyse continuity and change in global politics. While it is an OU level 3 module, it introduces you gradually to the subject, moving from some of the founding ideas in international relations, through debates over historical change, to key contemporary debates in the subject. It carefully and cumulatively builds up your knowledge of key concepts and different theoretical approaches so that, by the end, you have the ability to critically evaluate these ideas and their application to major real-world problems facing the world today.

In addition, the module draws on a number of other subject areas. It deals with ideas current in politics more widely, on issues of sovereignty and governance, and draws on some aspects of political theory to do with questions of justice. It teaches some key ideas in economics to do with economic growth, measuring income inequality, trade and how national economies ‘balance the books’. It also looks at how ideas from the wider social sciences on gender and postcolonialism, have influenced the study of international relations.

By taking this module, you'll:

  • develop your understanding of the changing relations between nation states in the international system and the wider political, economic and social changes affecting international relations
  • be able to analyse the prospects for co-operation and conflict and the sources of order and disorder in the international system
  • develop your skills as a critical, independent learner and writer.

The module is delivered through a combination of online learning, a variety of audio and visual materials, a module textbook and with possible face-to-face options. Module materials are regularly  reviewed and updated to account for developments in international politics.

You will learn

As well as developing your ability to analyse key problems in international relations, the module enables you to develop a set of valuable practical and transferable skills. These include critical thinking; working independently and in collaboration with fellow students; critical problem solving; communicating your ideas effectively in a number of ways (essay writing, reports and projects); ICT and numerical skills; and synthesising and applying knowledge. You will also learn how to manage your time effectively and be able to organise and complete a programme of work to a specified standard. You will also develop your ability to reflect on your own learning.

Vocational relevance

This module is applicable to a wide range of professions in the private and public sectors, including international agencies and government bodies (national and European), businesses and non-governmental organisations. Employers value the diversity of transferable skills that this module develops, along with breadth of mind and ability to critically analyse and condense complex material and processes of change. You’ll be able to analyse problems relating to a range of international issues including: co-operation and conflict; cultural difference; development and international economic change.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

You'll have a tutor who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance.

We aim to provide online tutorials, and recordings of these will typically be made available.

While you’re not obliged to attend any of these tutorial events, you are strongly encouraged to take part.

Contact us if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.

Assessment

The assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box.

Future availability

International relations: continuity and change in global politics (DD313) starts once a year – in October. This page describes the module that will start in October 2024. We expect it to start for the last time in October 2025.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.

Course work includes:

5 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
1 Interactive computer-marked assignment (iCMA)
End-of-module assessment


Entry requirements

This is an OU level 3 module. OU level 3 modules build on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from previous studies at OU levels 1 and 2 with the OU. They are only intended for students with recent experience of higher education in a related subject.

Prior social science study will be an advantage but is not essential. Our OU level 2 modules International development: making sense of a changing world (TD223) and Understanding politics: ideas and institutions in the modern world (DD211) would be ideal preparation.

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.

Register

Start End England fee Register
05 Oct 2024 Jun 2025 £3636.00

Registration closes 05/09/24 (places subject to availability)

Register
This module is expected to start for the last time in October 2025.

Additional Costs

Study costs

There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.

If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.

Ways to pay for this module

Open University Student Budget Account

The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd (OUSBA) offers a convenient 'pay as you go' option to pay your OU fees, which is a secure, quick and easy way to pay. Please note that The Open University works exclusively with OUSBA and is not able to offer you credit facilities from any other provider. All credit is subject to status and proof that you can afford the repayments.

You pay the OU through OUSBA in one of the following ways:

  • Register now, pay later – OUSBA pays your module fee direct to the OU. You then repay OUSBA interest-free and in full just before your module starts. 0% APR representative. This option could give you the extra time you may need to secure the funding to repay OUSBA.
  • Pay by instalments – OUSBA calculates your monthly fee and number of instalments based on the cost of the module you are studying. APR 5.1% representative.

Joint loan applications

If you feel you would be unable to obtain an OUSBA loan on your own due to credit history or affordability issues, OUSBA offers the option to apply for a joint loan application with a third party. For example, your husband, wife, partner, parent, sibling or friend. In such cases, OUSBA will be required to carry out additional affordability checks separately and/or collectively for both joint applicants who will be jointly and severally liable for loan repayments.

As additional affordability checks are required when processing joint loan applications, unfortunately, an instant decision cannot be given. On average the processing time for a joint loan application is five working days from receipt of the required documentation.

Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).

Employer sponsorship

Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.

More than one in ten OU students are sponsored by their employer, and over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees. 

  • Your employer just needs to complete a simple form to confirm how much they will be paying and we will invoice them.
  • You won’t need to get your employer to complete the form until after you’ve chosen your module.  

Credit/debit card

You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module. 

We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron. 

Mixed payments

We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).


Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2025. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules

This information was provided on 28/03/2024.

Can you study an Access module for free?

In order to qualify, you must:

  1. be resident in England
  2. have a personal income of less than £25,000 (or receive qualifying benefits)
  3. have not completed one year or more on any full-time undergraduate programme at FHEQ level 4 or above, or completed 30 credits or more of OU study

How to apply to study an Access module for free

Once you've started the registration process, either online or over the phone, we'll contact you about your payment options. This will include instructions on how you can apply to study for free if you are eligible.

If you're unsure if you meet the criteria to study for free, you can check with one of our friendly advisers on +44 (0)300 303 0069 or you can request a call back.

Not eligible to study for free?

Don't worry! We offer a choice of flexible ways to help spread the cost of your Access module. The most popular options include:

  • monthly payments through OUSBA
  • part-time tuition fee loan (you'll need to be registered on a qualification for this option)

To explore all the options available to you, visit Fees and Funding.

What's included

You'll be provided with a module textbook and have access to a module website which includes:

  • a week-by-week study planner
  • study guide
  • interactive and online resources
  • audio and video materials
  • assessment guide
  • online forums and tutorials. 

Computing requirements

You’ll need broadband internet access and a desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date version of Windows (10 or 11) or macOS Ventura or higher.

Any additional software will be provided or is generally freely available.

To join in spoken conversations in tutorials, we recommend a wired headset (headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone).

Our module websites comply with web standards, and any modern browser is suitable for most activities.

Our OU Study mobile app will operate on all current, supported versions of Android and iOS. It’s not available on Kindle.

It’s also possible to access some module materials on a mobile phone, tablet device or Chromebook. However, as you may be asked to install additional software or use certain applications, you’ll also require a desktop or laptop, as described above.

If you have a disability

The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying DD313 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.

To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our disability support pages.