This module will examine a range of topical global issues that represent contemporary challenges for both policymakers and other actors. Indicative issues addressed include nuclear proliferation, the environment, humanitarian intervention and the responsibility to protect, and other key areas of global concern. Also addressed is the issue of global economic and trade management, as well as country cases such as China, the situation in Ukraine from a politico-historical perspective, and the Israel/Palestine conflict.

Selected Posts

During three weeks of the module, you will post a 500-word answer to a set question onto a discussion board. The weeks will be determined by which group you are in. You will receive formative feedback on those posts and a grade. At the end of the module, for a specified deadline, you will submit your two best answers for formal assess, in a combined document, through Turnitin. LO1-2



Participation

You will have an opportunity to upload a 300-word response to the posts of other students during the eight weeks when you are not writing a 500-word post. Assuming these responses meet basic academic standards (coherent argumentation, evidence-based reasoning, a bibliography and in-text referencing) they will contribute to your participation grade. LO1



Essay

You will be required to write a 3,000-word essay answering one of a number of set questions. Essays will be submitted and marked through Turnitin. LO1-LO5

In this module you will examine a range of topical global issues that represent contemporary challenges for both policymakers and other actors. Indicative issues addressed include nuclear proliferation, the environment, humanitarian intervention and the responsibility to protect, and other key areas of global concern in the security domain. We will also examine the issue of global economic and trade management, as well as country cases such as China, the situation in Ukraine from a politico-historical perspective, and the Israel/Palestine conflict.

The main focus will be on self-instruction, within a tightly structured framework and relying largely (but not exclusively) on materials supplied. Week by week you will work through self-instructional course material, (delivered on Blackboard) which provides the framework and focus for reading key texts and papers and undertaking specific set tasks. This work will be undertaken on an individual basis, but at various points you will be expected to interact and share material with other students in your learning group and your tutor via a discussion board.

Williams, Paul., ed. (2023) Security Studies: An Introduction, Routledge.

Hite, Kristen, A. and Seitz, John L. (2021) Global Issues: An Introduction, 6th Edition, Wiley-Blackwell.

A computer for accessing Blackboard, websites and electronic journals.¿
Course texts and module pack which will be delivered via the an electronic reading list for the course.

None

Module Learning Outcome

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key global issues

University Learning Outcome:
Knowledge and understanding

2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key regional issues

University Learning Outcome:
Knowledge and understanding

3. Apply conceptual material learned to regional or country case studies

University Learning Outcome:
Analysis; reflection.

4. Critically evaluate the nature and seriousness of global issues in the contemporary world

University Learning Outcome:
Analysis; enquiry; problem solving; reflection

5. Write coherently and following normal academic conventions about ideas, theories, and particular cases

University Learning Outcome:
Communication