International Relations and Global Communications (Taught)

We live in a communications-saturated world where 24-hour news coverage, access to the internet and the use of social media have become the norm for millions of people. Global events are instantly reported by the news media, analysed and interpreted by them and millions of ordinary citizens. These developments challenge the traditionally secretive practices of international diplomacy and the ability of governments to control information whilst also creating powerful new tools for propaganda; they enhance the importance of cultural or ‘soft’ power in international relations and they have also transformed the nature of warfare. You will also have the opportunity to undertake a voluntary placement as part of this course. This will be with a local Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) and we will help you to arrange this. This course is run by the Department of History, Politics and Philosophy in conjunction with the Department of Information and Communication.