Unit name | Issues in World Politics |
---|---|
Unit code | POLI10001 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | C/4 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
Unit director | Professor. Herring |
Open unit status | Open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
This unit aims to introduce you to thinking about issues in world politics. It examines the ways in which we interpret and explain the systems, institutions and processes that are said to govern world politics and the beliefs, values and discourses that are held to be important. The unit starts with a discussion of how states, power, people and borders relate to each other and, closely related to this, the nature and significance of identity. Building on this we will examine poverty, inequality and neoliberalism then the environment and sustainable development. We then explore in turn violence and the arms trade; reducing danger and preventing conflict; human rights and humanitarian intervention; and the news media, the digital age and information. The unit is rounded off with reflections on making positive change happen in world politics and revision discussion of the essay topics and essay writing.
Aims:
Upon completing the unit, the student will have demonstrated achievement of the following learning outcomes:
2 hours of lectures and 1 hour seminar
25% for the first essay of 2,000 words.
75% for the second essay of 2,000 words.
Both essays are summative. The first essay will also play a formative role in the unit. Both essays will assess all four learning outcomes specified .