Course Catalogue

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This course is a survey of some key contemporary issues in international relations. It will examine both some current manifestations of perennial problems of international politics, and some issues new to our time. As such, it is not simply a descriptive course on "current events," but is rather an in-depth analytical and critical evaluation of the challenges posed by a range of issues whose significance stretch far beyond the boundaries of any one country.

Lecture: one hour per week, for 10 weeks

Tutorial: one hour per week, for 10 weeks

Mandatory Entry Requirements

Entry to Honours Politics requires a grade point average of 12 (Grade C) over Politics 2A and Politics 2B as a first attempt.

None

None

Presentation (10%)

1250 word policy brief (40%)

2500 word essay (50%)

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below

The aim of the module is to introduce students to a variety of competing perspectives on a variety of global issues, requiring critical consideration of the insights and problems each perspective offers. It will provoke students to critically reflect upon the different ways to think about and conceptualize key issues in contemporary world politics.

The course is intended to be a "visitor's option", i.e., a course that can be taught by a visiting lecturer.

By the end of this programme students will be able to:

■ Have obtained a thorough understanding of a number of key issues and challenges in contemporary world politics

■ Be able to engage and analyse global problems through a number of theoretical approaches

■ Discern the links between theoretical analyses of global problems and potential policy prescriptions

■ Recognise the interconnectedness of contemporary global issues that stretch beyond the borders of single countries

■ Recognise interlocking political, institutional, economic and cultural dimensions of global problems.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.