Module Code - Title:
PO4048
-
ISSUES IN WORLD POLITICS
Year Last Offered:
2026/7
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
This main focus of this module is to study current themes in contemporary global politics and to understand their historical development. Students will be able to locate current global issues and place them in a wider theroetical context.
Syllabus:
The module is devided into a number of subsections that engage with an area of study in World Politics and more prominently upon an issue of structural and functional importance in International Relations. The first part of the course looks at the historical development of the International system and introduces questions such as sovereignty and the concept of globalisation, whilst the second part will be made up of a collection of developments and issues that have arisen out of the current structures within world politics.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
Understand how the ideas and functions of international politics have historically evolved
Analyse contemporary concepts such as globalisation and factors such as regionalism, ethnicity and development.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
Demonstate a critical appreciation of the nature evolution of contemporary issues in world politics
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
Present knowledge of the contemporary issues in World Politics through the medium of written and oral assessment.
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Module is split into lectures and tutorials, the latter allowing students to develop their communicative skills.
Prime Texts:
Brian White, Richard Little and Michael Smith (2005)
Issues in World Politics
, Palgrave
Young, J. and Kent, J (2004)
International Relations since 1945 A Global History
, Oxford University Press
Fukuyama, F (1992)
The End of History and the Last Man
, Heikmann
Huntington, S. (1996)
The Clash of Civilisation and the making of World Order
, Pengiun
Other Relevant Texts:
Braudel, F (1995)
A History of Civilisations
, Penguin
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
BACHELOR OF ARTS
BACHELOR OF ARTS (PROFESSIONAL PATHWAYS)
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN APPLIED LANGUAGES
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN GLOBAL POLITICS
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN HISTORY, POLITICS, SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL STUDIES
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN JOURNALISM AND DIGITAL COMMUNICATION
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN POLITICS AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
BACHELOR OF ARTS INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED ACCESS
BACHELOR OF LAWS (LAW PLUS)
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SOCIAL SCIENCES
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
Owen.Worth@ul.ie