First Year Modules on the
BSc in International Politics

IP1003 Global Political Issues in the Late Twentieth Century

Rationale

This module introduces students to the recent historical context for understanding contemporary global politics. The three main policy domains for the period from the end of the Second World War until the 1990s, namely the Cold War, decolonisation and Israeli-Palestinian relations, are covered.

Educational Aims

The lectures and classes will present basic information on the patterns of change in the major policy domains that have dominated recent history and influenced contemporary decision-makers. To conform to the aims of the International Politics programme, the three topics will not be taught with a chronological approach to historical events, but as examples of the problems of understanding and analysing global political structures and processes of change.

Learning Outcomes: Subject knowledge and understanding

On successful completion of this module, a student will be expected to be able to

• Outline the main events, identify the main actors and differentiate the military, political, social, economic, environmental and human rights dimensions of the Cold War;
• Outline the main events, identify the main actors and differentiate the military, political, social, economic, environmental and human rights dimensions of the break-up of the European empires and the creation of new independent states;
• Outline the main events, identify the main actors and differentiate the military, political, social, economic, environmental and human rights dimensions of the global politics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict;
• Understand the relationships between domestic politics within countries, transnational relations between countries, international diplomacy and debate in the United Nations, on the three policy domains;
• Assess the validity of competing explanations of global political processes;
• Understand the relationships between historical information, explanations of historical change and the normative positions of political actors.

Indicative Content

The module will have a brief introduction on different approaches to the study of history, as "the facts", as the role of leaders and as political, social and economic change. Then the teaching will be divided equally between the study of the Cold War, decolonisation and Israeli-Palestinian relations. It will be emphasised that each of these policy domains involves politics within countries, between countries and at the global level, particularly in the United Nations. In each case, a state-centric strategic analysis will be compared with analysis of a diversity of actors pursuing a variety of issues, based on different value preferences.

Learning and teaching methods

Acquisition of knowledge and understanding is promoted through a combination of lectures and interactive classes. Students are encouraged to undertake extensive reading and independent study in order to understand the topics covered in lectures and classes and to broaden and deepen their knowledge of the subject.

Students also receive feedback on their coursework to encourage them to reflect on what they have produced.

Assessment

Each students will produce one essay of up to 2,000 words, give a class presentation and answer two questions in an unseen examination. In order to pass the module, the student must gain an average mark of at least 40%. The module average is calculated from the exam mark weighted at 70% and the coursework weighted at 30%.

For degree programmes where this is a compulsory module, compensation is not permitted for failure. If the Assessment Board requires a resit, each component for which a mark of less than 40% has been achieved will be resat or a specific assessment activity will be required.

Indicative Reading list

• J. Baylis and S. Smith, The Globalization of World Politics, (327.101BAY).
• J. Young and J. Kent, International Relations since 1945, (xxx).
• F. Halliday, The Making of the Second Cold War, (327.17HAL).
• J. Gaddis, We Now Know: Rethinking Cold War History, (xxx).
• G. T. Allison, Essence of Decision, (327.7307291ALL)
• M. Goldman, What Went Wrong with Perestroika, (xxx).
• M.Hogan (ed), The End of the Cold War: Its Meaning and Implications, (xxx).
• M.E. Chamberlain, Decolonisation: The Fall of the European Empires, (xxx).
• R. Betts, Decolonisation, (xxx).
• M.A. Tessler, A History of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, (xxx).
• F. Halliday, The Middle East in International Relations, (xxx).

 

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Centre for International Politics, School of Social Science, City University, Northampton Square, London EC1V 0HB.
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