Introduction

This module introduces students to current developments in Contemporary Global Politics. It provides them with the intellectual tools needed to analyse complex global issues and think critically about them. The module is divided into two parts. The first part introduces the global issues themselves: Poverty and Inequality, Democratic Deficit, Environmental Degradation, Violent Conflict, Financial Crisis. The second part presents and discusses different reactions and solutions to these global issues: Social Justice, Rethinking Democratization, Saving the Planet, Securing Peace, Resisting the Financial Crisis. Particular attention will be paid to the different role international institutions, states and non-state actors play in addressing these issues. The module seeks to engage students in discussions on contemporary global issues by drawing extensively on empirical examples and case studies. This module will run throughout the semester (14 weeks).

Learning outcomes to be assessed

At the end of the module, you will be able to:

1. Identify and describe issues in global politics and international relations, both orally and in written form, as well as the main international actors, institutions and structures (Summative Assessment 1,2,3,4)

2. Discuss and interpret qualitative data, as well as using relevant information to develop lines of argument and make sound judgements (Summative Assessment 1,2,3,4)

3. Understand and explain key concepts and ideas in the field of global politics and international relations (Summative Assessment 1,2,3,4)

4. Apply theoretical knowledge to specific empirical case studies (Summative Assessment 4)

Assessment and feedback

Summative assessment grid

Description

• Assessments 1, 2 and 3: In-class Exercises (Position Pieces)

Throughout the first half of the semester, you will have to submit five position pieces. The position pieces should have a length of 600-words each (+/-10%). The two first position pieces (weeks 2 and 3) will be formative and will not count towards the final grade. The other three position pieces will be summative, with each of them counting towards 10% of the final mark of the module and adding up to 30% of the final mark.

You will have to write a position piece for each of the five challenges to contemporary global politics covered throughout the first half of the semester. In the position pieces you have to defend your position on whether you think this challenge is or is not a key challenge for contemporary global politics.

The Position Pieces should be structured into the following parts:

1. Introduction

   1. Identification of an issue

   2. Statement of the position

2. Body of the text

   1. Background information

   2. Supporting evidence and arguments

   3. Discussion of both sides of the issue

3. Conclusion

   1. Summary of main concepts and ideas

   2. Reinforcing the statement of the position

The position piece should take a strong, well defined position, using at least three appropriate reasons with at least two supporting details for each reason. Counter arguments should be effectively addressed, without undercutting the student’s position. The structure of the position piece should be clear and easy to follow. Moreover, the position paper should follow the guidance provided by the module leader for these assignments. Paragraph transitions should be logical and should maintain the flow of thought throughout the paper. The conclusion should be logical and flows from the body of the paper.

Position Pieces will be written in class under open book exam conditions. The Position Pieces will be written in the last 30 minutes of the last class that addresses a particular challenge. The position pieces for each challenge will be written in class in the following weeks:

• (Poverty and inequality, week 2, formative)

• (Democratic deficit, week 3, formative)

• Environmental degradation, week 4 (summative, 10% of final mark)

• Violent conflict, week 8 (summative, 10% of final mark)

• Financial crisis, week 11 (summative, 10% of final mark)

All Position Pieces should be submitted at the end of the class through the NEO LMS page of the module before the end of the class.

Assessment criteria for Assessments 1, 2 and 3 (LO1, LO2, LO3 and LO4 will be assessed)

This assessment will be marked according to the following criteria:

• Knowledge and understanding (40%): The student has a comprehensive knowledge of the different political ideas and concepts covered throughout the module. Moreover the student demonstrates in depth and breadth of coverage, as well as awareness of the nature of the political characteristics of the chosen country.

• Cognitive Skills (40%): The student is able to demonstrate knowledge through the use of examples, quotations and evidence. Moreover, the student is able to demonstrate knowledge in a coherent and appropriate structure and organization where the main points are developed logically and where the relevance of the material to the theme is made clear.

• Practical and Professional Skills (10%): The Position Piece demonstrates competence in all the required scholarly-related skills, more specifically in the exploration and ideas included from a wide range of sources.

• Transferrable Key Skills (10%): The Position Piece follows all the designated guidelines. The rules of grammar, usage and punctuation are followed. Spelling is correct. Language is clear and precise. Sentences display consistently strong, varied structure.

• Assessment 4: Advocacy Policy Brief

Throughout the semester, you will be required to produce a 2500-word Advocacy Policy Brief that will count towards 70% of your final mark for the module. In general, a policy brief is a concise summary of a particular issue, the policy options to deal with it, and some recommendations on the best option. It is aimed at government policymakers and others who are interested in formulating or influencing policy. In particular, an advocacy brief argues in favour of a particular course of action.

An advocacy policy brief should:

• Provide enough background for the reader to understand the problem.

• Convince the reader that the problem must be addressed urgently.

• Provide evidence to support one alternative and not others.

• Stimulate the reader to make a decision.

To achieve its objectives, an advocacy policy brief should:

• Be short and to the point. It should focus on a particular problem or issue. Do not go into all the details. Instead, provide enough information for the reader to understand the issue and come to a decision.

• Be based on firm evidence, not just one or two experiments or a single year’s experience. It should draw evidence from various sources – preferably from several different areas or organizations.

• Focus on meanings, not methods. Readers are interested in what you found and what you recommend. They do not need to know the details of your methodology.

• Relate to the big picture. The policy brief may build on context-specific findings, but it should draw conclusions that are more generally applicable

Drawing on extensive reading – which must go beyond the readings provided in this Module Study Guide – identify one challenge to contemporary global politics from the ones covered throughout the semester that you think critically shapes contemporary global politics. If you cannot decide which challenge you want to write about, I am happy to choose for you. This year the challenge I want to read about is poverty and/or inequality. More specifically, the Advocacy Policy Brief should answer the following questions about this challenge:

1. What are the origins/causes of this global problem?

2. What threat/danger does it pose for humanity or at least for those affected?

3. What dilemmas/difficulties do those seeking to remedy it have to address/overcome?

4. How would you tackle this problem, ie. what solution would you advocate? When answering this last question please remember to identify both the strengths and potential weaknesses of your proposed solution.

Assessment criteria for Assessment 4 (LO1, LO2, LO3 and LO4 will be assessed)

This assessment will be marked according to the following criteria:

• Knowledge and understanding (30%): The student has a comprehensive knowledge of the different political ideas and concepts covered throughout the module. Moreover the student demonstrates in depth and breadth of coverage, as well as awareness of the nature of the political characteristics of the chosen country.

• Cognitive Skills (30%): The student is able to demonstrate knowledge through the use of examples, quotations and evidence. Moreover, the student is able to demonstrate knowledge in a coherent and appropriate structure and organization where the main points are developed logically and where the relevance of the material to the theme is made clear.

• Practical and Professional Skills (30%): The Advocacy Policy Brief demonstrates competence in all the required scholarly-related skills, more specifically in the exploration and ideas included from a wide range of sources.

• Transferrable Key Skills (10%): The Advocacy Policy Brief presents minimal grammatical errors and uses a good writing style. The work consistently and accurately uses Harvard referencing style, including in-text citations and a list of resources.

Learning materials

Core textbook(s):

• Beeson, M. and Bisley, N. (2017) Issues in 21st Century World Politics. 2nd Edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

• Edkins, J., and Zehfuss, M. (2014) Global Politics: A New Introduction. Second edition. New York: Routledge.

Other recommended readings:

• Brown, C. and Ainley, K. (2009) Understanding International Relations. Fourth edition. London: Palgrave MacMillan.

• Burchill, S. and Linklater, A. (2013) Theories of International Relations. Third Edition. London: Palgrave MacMillan.

• Dunne, T., Kurki M. and Smith S. (2016) International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity. Fourth Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press

• Evans, G. and Newnham, J. (1998) The Penguin Dictionary of International Relations. London: Penguin Books.

• Griffiths, M.; O’Callaghan, T. and Roach S.C. (2014) International Relations: The Key Concepts. London: Routledge.

The whole module study guide is available here:  /files/107987/Contemporary_Global_Politics_-_2023_-_MSG(3).pdf