PIR-10037: Introduction to Global Politics

School of Politics, International Relations & Philosophy

PIR-10037

Introduction to Global Politics

Co-ordinator:

Dr Luis Lobo-Guerrero Room: CBA1.036, Tel:01782 733511

Teaching Team:

Level:

Credits:

Study Hours:

150

School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for

Politics Dual Honours
Politics Minor
Politics Single Honours

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description

This module is an introduction to the analysis of global politics. Specifically, the module has been designed to help students understand the role of the state by focusing on the analysis of its practices, and its sites of practice. It does so by exploring practices such as state-making, governmentality, diplomacy, legitimation, and historiography. It then examines these practices in relation to specific sites of global practice such as human rights, peace, security, culture, economy, the environment and the global commons. The module aims to help students develop their ability to critically evaluate the kinds of arguments made by academic experts and actual practitioners of global politics. The 10 lectures are accompanied by 10 one-hour tutorials in which students develop their presentational and team working skills by delivering an individual oral presentation and contributing to a group presentation to the class. Assessment format: 10% group presentation; 20% individual oral presentation; 70% essay.

Aims

1) To introduce students to the literature and recent developments in the field of global politics.

2) To introduce students to the applied analysis of the logic of argumentation within global politics texts.

3) To provide the context for the further development of a range of core study/employability skills at Level 1.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate the capacity to critically evaluate the concept of the state, its practices, and its different sites of practice will be achieved by assessments: 01, 03.
Demostrate the ability to recognise multiple perspectives through which global issues can be understood and analysed will be achieved by assessments: 01, 02, 03.
Show the ability to critically evaluate distinctions and interactions between global and local dimensions of everyday life and their political implications will be achieved by assessments: 01, 02, 03.
Demonstrate the ability to appraise the logic of argumentation in key International Relations texts will be achieved by assessments: 01, 02.
Show the ability to distinguish between primary and secondary International Relations sources will be achieved by assessments: 01, 03.
Demonstrate the ability to employ research evidence, International Relations theories, and other data, in making judgments about International Relations issues will be achieved by assessments: 01, 03.
Demostrate the capacity to effectively communicate ideas and arguments in essay form following academic conventions will be achieved by assessments: 01
Show the ability to communicate orally ideas and arguments as a result of individual study and group work will be achieved by assessments: 02, 03
Demonstrate the capacity to work with other members of a team will be achieved by assessments: 03

Study hours

10 hours attendance at lectures
10 hours attendance at seminars
2 hours attendance at written examination
48 hours preparation for the ten plenary seminars, and preparing for the group presentation
40 hours reading, analysing, and writing the three applied skills exercises
40 hours researching and writing the essay

Description of Module Assessment

01: Essay weighted 70%

1500-word essay chosen from a list of given questions. Summative assessment.
Essay questions will allow students to apply their newly-acquired skills of argument analysis, argument deconstruction, and argument critique to the content matter of the course.

02: Oral Presentation weighted 20%

5-10 minute presentation in which the student demonstrates the ability to critique an argument
Three applied skills exercises have been designed for students to develop their capacity to analyse the logic of argumentation. The first one is the analysis of the main argument of a key International Relations text. The second is a deconstruction of the ideas supporting the argument of a central International Relations text. The third is a critique of the argument of a key text applying argument analysis and deconstruction. Students will choose one excercise and make a presentation during one of the seminars. These presentations will be given in weeks 3, 6, and 8. They will be followed by student peer feedback adn tutor feedback in the class.

03: Group Presentation weighted 10%

Students will prepare and make a group presentation on one of the seminar topics.
Four academic topics will be discussed throughout the seminars. Students will be organised in teams and will be asked to prepare a fifteen-minute presentation on one of the topics. Presentations will happen in weeks 2, 4, 5, and 7. They will be followed by student peer feedback and tutor feedback in the class.

Reading Sources