- Academic Registry
Programme & Unit Catalogues


PL20721: International organisation

[Page last updated: 05 August 2021]

Academic Year: 2021/2
Owning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: CW 20%, EX 80%
Assessment Detail:
  • Examination (EX 80%)
  • Coursework (CW 20%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Aims:
* To provide students with a theoretical and empirical understanding of the structures, possibilities and limitations of formal and informal international organisation;
* to supply an overview of the major international institutions, in particular the United Nations system, regional organisations and key sectoral/thematic inter-governmental organisations, including economic institutions such as the World Bank;
* to introduce the concept of global governance in theoretical and historical perspective.

Learning Outcomes: Students who successfully complete this unit will:
* acquire a good understanding of the nature of the international system, its structures, processes and main actors;
* have a good knowledge of the theoretical rationale and empirical examples of the main international organisations and their role and activities;
* have a good knowledge of the topical issues and debates in contemporary international organisation/organisations and their possible evolution;
* be able to assess critically the role and functions of key international actors and organisations in specific case studies.

Skills: Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, precision in the use of written and spoken language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument, teamwork and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are taught and assessed in this unit.

Content: Lectures and seminars will cover the following main topics.
* International system, international organisation, cooperation and global governance: theoretical perspectives and historical evolution.
* State and non-state actors.
* The United Nations: historical overview, major organs, competences and spheres of activity. The specialised agencies. Proposals for reform.
* Regionalism and regional organisations: The European Union and the other European organisations; The Americas; Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
* Topical and new issues in international organisation/global governance: peace and security, economic and social development, human rights, the environment.

Programme availability:

PL20721 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AFB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AAB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AKB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations with Year long work placement (Year 2)

PL20721 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Economics
  • UHES-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics (Year 2)
  • UHES-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHES-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UHES-ACB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics with Combined Placement and Study Abroad (Year 2)
Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AAB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics with Year long work placement (Year 2)
Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB21 : BSc(Hons) International Development with Economics (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AKB21 : BSc(Hons) International Development with Economics with Year long work placement (Year 2)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2021/22 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2022/23 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2021/22.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.