Demonstrate a scholarly and critical appreciation of the concept of a global order, the important theorists and their key ideas, concepts and debates.
Knowledge and Understanding
Analysis
Reflection

2. Apply academic skills to think critically about contemporary debates on the liberal world order as well as conceiving and articulating possible future world orders.
Analysis
Application

3. Demonstrate an extensive knowledge about the various centres of power and global trends that challenge the US dominance of the Global System, i.e. China, Russia, the EU, and non-state actors. Knowledge and Understanding
Learning
Enquiry

4.communicate well informed and scholarly -supported arguments on the changing global order with detail and precision.
Application
Communication
Analysis

The Portfolio will require you to apply conceptual and theoretical insight to three topics on the changing global order. It is designed to give breadth of learning and a comprehensive overview of the key contemporary issues in International Relations. [Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5]

The essay will require you to do further research into one of the exemplars of the changing global order presented in the module, or, by negotiation, to research an additional exemplar. [Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,5]

PARTICIPATION 10%: Engagement with Blackboard Discussion Board through own posts and responses to the posts of others Learning Outcomes [1,2,4]

Order refers to stable and predictable forms of behaviour: it is about regularity and consistency. The course examines the debate over whether global order is possible or whether anarchy condemns the world to perpetual conflict and disorder. Its assumption is that global order is possible, however, and considers the mechanisms by which it can be achieved. It asks whether global order require coercive power to impose a system, rules and norms, or whether order be achieved through multilateralism and consensus-building?

The course starts with an examination of the conceptual issues surrounding global order and an overview of past international orders, in order to facilitate conceptual understanding. Its central focus, however, is on the contemporary global order and the challenges it faces. The starting point for this order is taken to be 1945. The course engages closely with the contemporary debate about whether the post-45 order is liberal, based on rules and led by institutions, or whether by contrast it is one driven by US power and interest. The central role of the US will be examined as will the extent of its power. The record of the United States as a liberal power will be assessed and students will be asked to consider whether or not the notion of a liberal order is a dangerous myth. The emergence and growing strength of new non-liberal powers intensifies the sense that the days of the American-led order are numbered. The implications of the end of the order are likely to be profound, and so an understanding of that order, of its strengths and vulnerabilities is essential to a reasoned and informed analysis of international stability into the future.

China is key to any analysis of future global relations and is therefore a crucial element of this course. Other key actors though are also important to any analysis. The European Union as the world’s largest economy and bastion of liberal institutionalism should play an important role in underpinning and promoting a liberal order. This will be assessed in light of the rise of illiberal elements and the British decision to withdraw from the European integration project. Russia and India, two important BRICS powers will also be considered, along with an overview of the BRICS’ challenge to American dominance of the international order.

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 via the Blackboard VLE), which provides the framework and focus for reading key texts and papers and undertaking the specific tasks set. This work will be undertaken on an individual basis, but you will be expected to post on each of the discussion board topics and interact and share material with other students in your learning group and your tutor.

The learning materials and the reading items we advise for each topic introduce the main themes and arguments of the module content. This helps students to develop definitions, and to compare, contrast and analyse important and influential viewpoints on the central topics. The discussion board forums provide for discussion and analysis of the themes. The independent study element should be used for further reading and preparation of the written assignments.

https://staffs.keylinks.org/#/list/5759

Students own textbooks; supplied readings in an electronic reading list; e-journals and e-books from the library; high quality internet sources.

Students will require a computer in order to access the Blackboard VLE and reading resources. They will also need regular internet-access.

Students must have completed the attendance element of the course and be MOD personnel.



Pre-requisites The Changing Global Order attendance course.