Department of European Studies & Modern Languages, Unit Catalogue 2008/09 |
EU50749 Power and order in world politics |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Masters |
| Semester: 1 |
| Assessment: ES100 |
| Requisites: |
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Aims:
* To provide a theoretical and empirical analysis of contemporary changes in the nature/ understanding of power and its distribution in the international system. * To reflect on and open debate about how these changes affect several aspects of international relations, including order and institutions. * To explore empirical cases exemplifying these shifts, i.e. the emergence/resurgence of new powers, the evolving nature of the international economic order and the North-South relations, the emergence of non-traditional forms of exercising power such as soft power, norms creation and regional/multilateral arrangements. Learning Outcomes: Students who successfully complete this unit will: * acquire a thorough understanding of the contested notion of power regarding both its nature/understanding and its distribution. * display a critical understanding of empirical examples epitomising contemporary debates about power, order and their relationship. * understand how (new) actors, values, norms and institutions in the international system are both the result of the changes in international power and affect these changes. * be able to assess critically topical events in world politics as well as the interests, role and actions of key players in the international scenario. * understand and analyse key trends in contemporary international relations. Skills: The key skills the unit will hone and further develop are: * Research skills in identifying, locating and exploiting a wide range of resources. * Intellectual skills of conceptual, original and independent thinking, critical analysis, synthesis and reasoned argument. * Skills of assessment and judgement in relation to the soundness of competing arguments and scenarios. * Generic and transferable skills related to the oral and written presentation. * Skills of self-direction, self-evaluation and time management. Content: Lectures and seminars will cover the following main topics: * Debates about the combination of/tension between the changes in the nature/understanding of power and changes in its distribution. * Areas in which these changes display their effects such as: international institutions, norms and values, actors, key concepts i.e. sovereignty, governance. * The rise and fall of great powers and consequences for the international order, including the international economic order and North-South relations. * The emergence of norms and values and the evolution of international law. * The evolving role and status of the United States, the European Union and emerging states and regions (with particular reference to Latin America, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific) in the international order. |