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Global Affairs, International Relations and Politics

Key Journal Titles

Journal articles are scholarly publications that delve into specific topics within politics, international relations, and global affairs, providing in-depth analysis, critical commentary, or original research findings. They are typically published in academic journals, which are specialised periodicals focusing on various areas of these fields, such as international security, political economy, comparative politics, or human rights.

Why Journal Articles Matter for Students:

  • Unparalleled Insight: Academic journals are the primary platforms for disseminating cutting-edge research, theoretical developments, and emerging trends in politics, international relations, and global affairs. By reading journal articles, you gain a deeper understanding of complex issues, diverse perspectives, and the latest scholarly debates.
  • Authoritative and Reliable Information: Journal articles undergo a rigorous peer-review process, where experts in the field assess the quality, accuracy, and significance of the research. This ensures that the information you encounter is reliable, well-reasoned, and grounded in established theories and methodologies.
  • Building Blocks for Arguments: Journal articles often provide the foundation for your own research, analyses, and arguments. They offer valuable methodologies, data, and theoretical frameworks that you can leverage to develop your own unique perspectives and contribute to scholarly conversations.
  • Honing Your Analytical Skills: Engaging with journal articles cultivates your ability to critically analyse complex political and international issues, evaluate evidence from diverse sources, and synthesise information to form your own informed opinions. These skills are essential for success in both academic and professional settings.
  • Essential for Academic and Career Success: Many assignments in politics, international relations, and global affairs require you to demonstrate your ability to find, evaluate, and incorporate scholarly sources like journal articles into your work. Additionally, proficiency in research and analysis is highly valued by employers in fields like diplomacy, government, think tanks, and international organisations.

In the World of Politics, International Relations, and Global Affairs:

Journal articles are particularly important for students as they offer:

  • In-Depth Analysis: Articles often explore complex political and international issues in detail, providing nuanced interpretations and critical perspectives that you may not find in textbooks or news articles.
  • Emerging Trends: Journals are at the forefront of scholarship, showcasing new theoretical approaches, emerging research areas, and potential solutions to global challenges.
  • Specialised Knowledge: Articles often focus on specific regions, countries, or topics within politics, international relations, and global affairs, allowing you to delve deeper into your areas of interest and gain specialised knowledge.
  • Access to Original Research: Many journals publish original research findings, allowing you to explore new data, methodologies, and empirical evidence that can inform your own research and analysis.

Library Search and many academic databases—for example, Emerald and HeinOnline—will present you with journal articles for your essays and assignments.

But you might sometimes want to browse the journals from which the articles came. In other words, you want to see the journal titles that the library has available for you. 

The easiest way to do this is to use BrowZine. This is a list of all the journal titles to which the library gives you some kind of access (see below for more about this). Click the image below or these links to see all Political Science.or International and Area Studies in BrowZine.

There are also subheadings for topics such as defence and security studies, international relations, peace and conflict studies, and so on. You may also want to browse other categories such as Law or Political, Diplomatic and Military History for journals in related areas.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: BrowZine will list all the journal titles that the library provides, but a specific journal may have been publishing for years. This means that it is not always financially possible for the library to provide 'all' the content of a particular journal title.  

The key thing to look out for is a padlock symbol next to a particular year/volume of the journal. If you see a padlock, it means that the library does not provide access to this particular journal year/issue—but other years/issues will be available because the title is on BrowZine. It will make more sense when you start to use it!

For politics, international relations and global affairs students, there are many prestigious and influential journals that offer valuable insights into various aspects of international and foreign relations. Here are a few notable examples:

 

International Organization: A leading journal in the field, focusing on theoretical and empirical research on international institutions, cooperation, and conflict. It features articles from diverse perspectives and methodological approaches.

 
 
 

International Studies Quarterly: The flagship journal of the International Studies Association, publishing cutting-edge research on a wide range of topics in international relations, including security, political economy, international institutions, and foreign policy.

 
 
 

Foreign Affairs: A highly influential magazine that provides in-depth analysis and commentary on global affairs, foreign policy, and international relations. It features articles by leading scholars, policymakers, and practitioners.

 
 
 

Review of International Political Economy (RIPE): This journal explores the interplay between political and economic factors in international relations, focusing on issues such as globalisation, trade, finance, development, and inequality.

 
 
 

World Politics: A leading journal that publishes research on all aspects of international relations, including international security, political economy, foreign policy, international institutions, and comparative politics.

 

 
 

These are just a few examples of the many excellent journals available to students. By exploring these and other journals, you can access the latest research, theoretical debates, and policy discussions in international relations, politics, and global affairs. By regularly reading these publications, you can stay informed about the latest developments in the field, develop critical thinking skills, and gain a deeper understanding of the complex issues that shape our world.