International relations: continuity and change in global politics
We live in times of historic change in the international system. The rise of China and other developing countries and the resurgence of Russian militarism are 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 and teaches ideas such as sovereignty and security while developing your ability to analyse and respond to the central problems of our day and understand trends of continuity and change in global politics.
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 differences?
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 current political ideas 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 related to 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.
The module is delivered through online learning, audio and visual materials, a module textbook and possible face-to-face events. Module materials are regularly reviewed and updated to account for developments in international politics.
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 module 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.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
marking your assignments and offering detailed feedback to help you improve
providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content
guiding you to additional learning resources
facilitating online discussions between your fellow students in the dedicated forums.
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Assessment
Course work includes:
5 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
1 Interactive computer-marked assignment (iCMA)
End-of-module assessment
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
Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer with at least 8 GB of RAM and a quad-core processor (2.4 GHz minimum speed). It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device.
Peripheral device – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials.
Operating systems – Windows 11 or the latest supported macOS.
Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended; Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.
Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
Software – Any additional software will be provided or is generally available for free.
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 website.
Future availability
International relations: continuity and change in global politics starts once a year – in October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2025, when we expect it to start for the last time.