First Year Modules on the
BSc in International Politics

IP1004 Global Political Issues in the Twenty-First Century

Rationale

This module introduces students to contemporary global politics. The three main policy domains of development, global environmental change and human rights are covered. A fourth major policy domain, conflict resolution and peace-keeping, is covered in module IP1005 on the United Nations.

Educational Aims

The lectures and classes will present basic information on the patterns of change in the major policy domains that dominate contemporary global policy-making. 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. It will be shown how the three domains of development, the environment and human rights have been integrated into the concept of sustainable development.

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 political, economic and social dimensions of the global politics of development;
• Outline the main events, identify the main actors and differentiate the political, ecological, economic and social dimensions of the global politics of environmental change;
• Outline the main events, identify the main actors and differentiate the political and social dimensions of the global politics of human rights;
• 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 the nature of the concepts of interests and values. Then equal attention will be given to the study of development, global environmental change and human rights. The conclusion will show how these three domains have been integrated in the United Nations, as the "three pillars" of sustainable development.

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 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).
• S. Lawson (ed), The New Agenda for International Relations: From Polarisation to Globalisation in World Politics, (xxx)
• R. Mansbach, The Global Puzzle: Issues and Actors in World Politics, (327MAN)
• UNDP, Human Development Report 2003, (Millennium Development Goals), (306.3UNI).
• J. Rapley, Understanding Development, (xxx)
• J. Haynes, Third World Politics. A Concise Introduction, (xxx)
• L. Elliot, The Global Politics of the Environment, (xxx)
• J. Vogler and M. Imber (eds), The Environment and International Relations, (333.72VOG)
• M. Freeman, Human Rights: An Interdisciplinary Approach, (323FRE)
• T. Dunne and N.J. Wheeler (eds), Human Rights in Global Politics, (323DUN)
• W. Korey, NGOs and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, (323.0601KOR)

 

Home

CivSoc

NGOs

UN

Docs

BSc

MA

PhD

Centre for International Politics, School of Social Science, City University, Northampton Square, London EC1V 0HB.
Page maintained by Peter Willetts