| Unit name | Global transformations: Issues and Trajectories |
|---|---|
| Unit code | POLIM0059 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Lefevre |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
This unit provides an overview of some of the most important transformations shaping politics, economics, international relations and society across the globe. Of course, every country and locality is faced with its own situation and peculiar challenges, but at the same time the world has become so interconnected that even the most isolated places on earth, and even the political and social actors most opposed to globalization, still end up being profoundly shaped by global trends. These broad transformations do not affect people and politics everywhere in the same way. And not all change is ever really total – it often includes some continuities.
This unit is designed to help you grasp the nature and extent of today’s global transformations – whether you strive to understand these patterns of change for their own sake, or because your ambition is to respond to the challenges they give rise to. For instance, to what extent is decolonization still an ongoing process? Are recent conflicts evidence of the end of Western hegemony over world politics? How can we make sense of the rise of alt-right ideologies as well as the resurgence of religion in many societies? What explains the growth of global poverty and the spread of failed states, and can this be fixed? Or again, are we witnessing in the Middle East and elsewhere a fundamental shift in the nature of war itself, with more extremism and a higher civilian toll than in older conflicts?
Together, we will tackle these questions through our weekly two-hour seminar (which includes a lecture, a presentation and discussion), the material on this syllabus and your essay.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
This unit introduces students to some of the most important transformations shaping politics, economics, international relations and societies across the globe. Therefore, it allows for the development of competencies that are relevant to all PGT programmes in politics as well as International Relations and Development and Security. Consistently with the objectives of these programmes, students will learn about international relations, globalisation, decolonisation and conflict while developing the capacity to engage critically and autonomously with these issues.
An overview of content:
Every week, we will collectively explore a different global transformation affecting our world, thinking about the roots and extent of the change happening, and the resistance it sometimes meets. As a taster, here is the schedule:
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit:
By the end of the unit, you will have developed a comprehensive understanding of the main transformations shaping the global today and tomorrow. In the process, the unit owner will have have also encouraged students to develop their own expertise on one or more of these global transformations, and to think about how it may relate to potential future careers.
Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
Students will learn primarily via a seminar/question-focused/discussion-based method, usually including a mix of activities in pairs/small groups/larger groups and based around questions or ‘provocations’ designed in relation to the Essential Readings for weekly topics. This method of teaching is specifically designed to allow development of a more critical/reflective/engaged mode of learning that is in line with a contemporary emphasis on (the benefits of) critical thinking in the literature on/study international relations (as is also explicitly covered and engaged with early on in the unit).
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Oral participation (e.g. presentation, current affairs discussion, engagement) is strongly encouraged in this unit.
Students are given general guidance on essay writing in tandem with the release of the questions. They are encouraged to submit an outline essay plan for more specific comments and feedback. Written feedback is provided.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
3,000 word essay (100%) [ILO 1,2, 3 and 4]
Students will choose to answer one question from a list of questions on topics related to the unit.
When assessment does not go to plan:
You will normally complete the reassessment in the same format as outlined above. Students are expected to select a different essay question from the original list.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. POLIM0059).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
