Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL1017: Globalisation of World Politics

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

  • To introduce you as first year politics students to the important sub-field of International Politics within the discipline of politics.
  • To introduce you to the key moments in the historical development of the international political system
  • To familiarise you with the core concepts used within the field.
  • To provide you with some of the analytical tools necessary to evaluate them.

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. categorise and evaluate core concepts in international relations;
2. describe, categorise and interpret the historical development of the international system;
3. review and recall key historical moments in international history;
Discipline-Specific Skills4. distinguish among theoretical, conceptual and empirical lines of inquiry;
5. demonstrate awareness of the key concepts used with the field;
6. engage in comparative and critical analytical work;
Personal and Key Skills7. study independently;
8. communicate effectively in speech and writing;
9. research & critically evaluate information;
10. work independently, within a limited time frame, and without access to external sources, to complete a specified task.

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

Baylis, John, Steve Smith and Patricia Owens (eds) (2017), The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations (Oxford: Oxford University Press). 

Dunne, Tim, Milja Kurki and Steve Smith (eds) (2016) International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity (Oxford: Oxford University Press). 

Edkins, Jenny, and Zehfuss, Maja (eds.) (2019) Global Politics A New Introduction, 3rd edition (London: Routledge).

Heywood, Andrew (2014), Global Politics (Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan). 

Jackson, Robert and George Sørensen (2016), Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches (Oxford: Oxford University Press).