Module POLM144 for 2019/0
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
POLM144: The West, Civilisations and World Order
This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.
Module Aims
This module will introduce you to the study of transatlantic relations and ‘the West’ in international relations. It aims to provide you with a firm grasp and a critical perspective on the key historical developments, theoretical approaches, policy debates, and political controversies on the transatlantic community and ‘the West’, and their relationship to world order. The module will familiarise you with the histories and theories of the transatlantic relation, the processes and politics of Western identity construction, controversies surrounding the notion of the West as a civilization, debates about the Western or universal character of global governance institutions, democracy and human rights, critiques of Western-centrism in the social sciences and world politics, and the future of the transatlantic community and ‘the West’ in an era of power diffusion and multi-polarity.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. discuss the histories, theories, and case studies about the transatlantic relation and the West in international relations; 2. evaluate the internal dynamics and external influences of the transatlantic relation and the West in world politics; |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 3. demonstrate an understanding of the debates and theories about the transatlantic relation and the West as a field of academic knowledge and its applicability to a range of case studies and empirical situations; 4. exercise informed judgment concerning the internal dynamics and external influence of the transatlantic community on world order; 5. exercise informed judgment concerning the role of the concept of the West in scholarly, policy and public debates in world politics; |
| Personal and Key Skills | 6. exercise informed judgment concerning the role of the concept of the West in scholarly, policy and public debates in world politics; 7. write and present complex arguments clearly and persuasively; and 8. demonstrate critical judgment and confidence in articulating and defending your opinions. |
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class presentation (usually in pairs) | Usually 10/15 minutes | 1-7 | Oral |
| General seminar participation and engagement | Throughout the course | 1-7 | Oral |
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay 1 | 50 | 4,000 | 1-7 | Written |
| Essay 2 | 50 | 4,000 | 1-7 | Written |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay 1 | Essay 1 (4,000 words) | 1-7 | August/September re-assessment period |
| Essay 2 | Essay 2 (4,000 words) | 1-7 | August/September re-assessment period |
