Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL2109: International Organisations in a Contested World Order

This module descriptor refers to the 2020/1 academic year.

Module Aims

The module has two main aims:

  1. Enrich your knowledge about international organizations, their structures and dynamics.
  2. Provide you with a theoretical toolbox that enables you to better understand the evolution of international organizations and the challenges they face, both in general and in today’s global politics.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. accurately describe the structure, history, and main organizational dynamics of a range of international organizations.
2. demonstrate ability to identify, understand and explain the main theoretical approaches to international cooperation and organization.
3. critically use knowledge of both IO’s characteristics and theories of IOs to evaluate the situation of a range of international organizations in today’s international politics, and independently formulate a diagnosis of the challenges they face as well as a prognosis for the years ahead.
Discipline-Specific Skills4. critically analyse the major characteristics and evolutions of today’s international politics.
5. situate particular political cases and situations within broader international context, and to highlight the dynamics uniting general trends and specific cases
Personal and Key Skills6. work independently, within a limited time frame, and without access to external sources, to complete a specified task.
7. write an original analysis of a complex political issue in clear yet precise language, using relevant sources.