PIM97-Challenges to Global Order

Module Provider: Graduate Institute for Politics and International Studies
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Martin Binder
Email: m.binder@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module covers key contemporary issues in international politics and how they relate to global order. Using the concept of global order as a starting point, students will discuss how issues such as climate change and environmental politics, nationalism and the rise of the far right, international conflicts, cyber security and warfare, the rise of non-Western powers, pandemics and public health, and political economy and financial crises challenge different conceptions of global order and shape and reshape it over time (the exact topics are subject to variation). This module is team-taught and draws on expertise from across the department to provide students with the opportunity to critically examine some of the most pressing issues facing the world today, as well as how various state and non-state actors in the international system have responded to them and what this means for the possibility and likelihood of cooperation at the international level. 

Aims:

The module aims to give students a critical understanding of what global order is, how and under what conditions it changes, and how a range of pressing national, transnational, and international issues that face the world today are challenging, shaping, and reshaping global order. The module also aims to give students a comprehensive understanding of the main ways in which states and other actors respond to contemporary challenges, how these differ, and how they find ways of cooperating. The module aims to enable students to critically engage with and evaluate both theories and empirical cases of these issues and to explore their implications for policy and practice.

Assessable learning outcomes:

• Demonstrate knowledge of different conceptions of global order and of theories of change to such order. 


• Demonstrate understanding of key contemporary challenges in the international system. 


• Demonstrate understanding of the key actors involved in shaping and reshaping global order and how they react to and cooperate on contemporary challenges.


• Ability to critically engage with the material and to relate theoretical insights to specific cases.

Additional outcomes:

• Critical and reflective thinking, including ability to think adaptively about evolving issues


• Informed and critical approach to using academic sources, including web-based information, through preparation of coursework


• Confidence and effectiveness in oral and written communication through seminar discussions and written work

Outline content:

• Theories of global order, change, and cooperation in the international system


• Critical analysis of key selected challenges and issues in the contemporary international system


• Key actors in the international system and the mechanisms through which they cooperate

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This class is taught in seminars led by a number of staff across the department. Students are expected to develop their knowledge of the subject through a high level of independent study, which will inform the class discussions. Assessed work is designed not only to test students’ knowledge and ability to think critically and analytically in a variety of environments, but also to reinforce independent study and to ensure a careful and judicious consideration to it.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	20
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	30
Wider reading (directed)	50
Preparation for seminars	40
Essay preparation	40
Reflection	20
Total hours by term	200	0	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	50
Report	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Summative assessment will consist of two pieces of written work:

• 1 essay of 3,000 words


• 1 policy brief/report of 2,000 words

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 'Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes', which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

50% overall module mark.

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment by original assessment method. Resit examinations will take place in August/September of the same year or April/May of the following year.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Required text books: 

Specialist equipment or materials: 

Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

Printing and binding: 

Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 31 March 2023