The module consists of five blocks designed to guide you through key aspects of international relations study and practice. Through a mix of historical and contemporary case studies, you’ll unpack key issues, meet the major players, and explore different perspectives on some of the most significant contemporary global challenges.
Block 1 starts by exploring two fascinating case studies – great power competition in Africa and terrorism. These will help you understand the kinds of issues that international relations address, introduce you to key actors, and show how global issues connect to local concerns and everyday experiences. You'll then start to build your knowledge of some of the theoretical and analytical tools that can help make sense of these case studies and the international sphere as a whole.
The following three blocks each focus on a core area of international relations.
Block 2 focuses on conflict and security. You’ll explore key actors, issues, and perspectives in conflict, peace, and security, analysing five case studies: the Cold War, the Syrian Civil War, COVID-19, and conflict in Mali. You will also learn about the role of media in conflict. These studies will help you understand the drivers of conflict and how global, regional and local factors influence conflict and its prevention.
Block 3 examines the global political economy. You’ll explore the evolution of the modern global political economy, its rules and institutions, and its current challenges. Through studying key actors, issues and perspectives, you’ll focus on globalisation and its global, regional, and local implications, including its impact on your own life. You’ll also learn about organised crime’s role in the global political economy.
Block 4 focuses on human rights and their role in international relations. You’ll explore the historical and philosophical roots of human rights, gain insight into the modern international human rights system, and examine the challenges and critiques it faces. The block also covers topics like migration and the concept of non-human rights (or the rights of nature, animals and the environment), considering their growing significance within the global human rights framework.
Each of these three blocks includes a ‘Catch-up and Review’ week, designed to give you space to catch up on and consolidate your learning.
Block 5 helps you bring everything together. You’ll reflect on what you’ve learned, review key concepts, and prepare for your end-of-module exam.
Please note that this module covers potentially distressing topics related to violence, atrocity and suffering.
The knowledge and skills you acquire will deepen your understanding of international relations and equip you with valuable, transferable skills that employers seek. You’ll learn to apply key concepts and theories, analyse complex situations, and build reasoned arguments. These skills are essential for problem-solving and decision-making.
You’ll also develop the ability to critically evaluate different ideas and theories, which is a valuable asset in roles that require strategic thinking and a deep understanding of global dynamics. Additionally, you’ll learn to express complex ideas clearly, enabling you to communicate effectively in professional settings, whether preparing reports, briefings, or policy proposals, with well-supported, confident arguments.
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
You’ll be provided with two printed module books and have access to the module website, where the majority of the module content is delivered. Content on the module website includes:
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
D228 is a compulsory module in our:
D228 is an option module in our:
Exploring international relations: actors, issues, perspectives starts once a year – in October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2036.
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.
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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.
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your personal income is £25,000 or less, or you’re on certain benefits, you could qualify for a grant and OU top-up funding to cover 100% of your course fees. Apply online at the same time as you register on your module.
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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).
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may get support from your employer to pay part of your tuition fee and pay the remainder by credit or debit card.
For more information about combining payment options, contact an adviser.
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 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
