Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Politics and Global Studies
Module Catalogue
Semester 1 - 2015/2016
Module code: PO1101
Module Title: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICS AND GLOBAL STUDIES I
Module Credits:
15.00
Number of Periods: 1
Module Tutor:
William Sheward
Description:
This module - and its second part in the second semester - identifies and raises
awareness of key concepts, themes and theories of Politics and Global Studies which
recur throughout the Politics and Global Studies programme such as realism, liberalism,
Marxism, environmentalism, conservatism and nationalism and their derivatives. This
first element focuses on the theoretical frameworks that underpin political institutions
and international relations. Students will become familiar with contemporary geopolitical contexts within the framework of the ordering of the world in the post-1945
environment. The module traces superpower relations and issues during the Cold War,
the post-Cold War political developments and the world as shaped by the consequences
of 9/11. An underlying theme of the module is to introduce a central Politics and Global
Studies programme theme, namely a world that, while still dominated by the US, is
undergoing an era of uncertainty. The module aims to describe political phenomena in
its historical and social contexts as a framework with which to understand political
actors and their behaviour in, for example, decision-making.
Specific to:
Politics and Global Studies Joint
Global History and Politics
Politics and Global Studies
Availability:
A
Assessments:
25%
50%
25%
15/16
S1
Winchester
Library research exercise (1000 words)
Iterative essay (1000 words)
Commentary (1000 words)
Module code: PO1102
Module Title: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICS AND POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
Module Credits:
15.00
Number of Periods: 1
Module Tutor:
Description:
This module covers the theory and practice of politics in terms of examining different
political systems such as representative, parliamentary democracy and their institutions
of government, the role of interest groups, electoral systems, voting behaviour, public
policy, human rights, security studies, international economic relations, dictatorships
and one party states to give a grounding in how political processes work. The course
then goes on to examine the philosophical underpinnings of differing systems of
government by looking at ideologies such as liberalism, conservatism, communism and
socialism that originated in the Western world and comparing and contrasting systems
of government elsewhere in the world where such beliefs have been used, adapted or
rejected.
Set texts look at key political thinkers from classical times through the Enlightenment to
the present day (for instance Machiavelli, Locke, Rousseau, Smith, Burke, Marx and
Engels, Gramsci, Marcuse, Hayek and Habermas) in order to examine such issues as
power, justice, order, war, legitimacy, accountability, sovereignty and other issues of
concern to the practice of politics and government at country specific, regional and local
levels.
Specific to:
Politics and Global Studies Joint
English Language Studies Single Honours
Global History and Politics
Politics and Global Studies
Philosophy, Religion and Ethics
Availability:
A
Assessments:
50%
50%
15/16
S1
Book report
Essay
Winchester
Module code: PO1205
Module Title: Introduction to British Politics
Module Credits:
15.00
Number of Periods: 1
Module Tutor:
Max Stafford
Description:
This module aims to introduce students to contemporary debates within British politics.
Whilst focusing on contemporary issues, this module will also help students to
understand the context and history of British political development. By focusing on
British politics, students will be able to understand how British parliamentary democracy
works. This will involve looking at political parties, the Great Offices of state, the role of
the media and Britain's foreign relations.
Specific to:
Politics and Global Studies Joint
Politics and Global Studies
Availability:
A
Assessments:
50%
50%
15/16
S1
Essay
Exam (2 hours)
Winchester
Module code: PO1206
Module Title: The New Agenda Setters
Module Credits:
15.00
Number of Periods: 1
Module Tutor:
Max Stafford
Description:
This module seeks to explore the range of actors emerging upon the global stage as new
key influences within International Relations. These range from the role of cities under
increasing urbanisation to social media and the blogosphere to thinks tanks, writers and
futurologists. Whilst many of the actors explored are not new as such but many of those
explored have seen their influence upon international agendas, organisations and issues
grow beyond its previous impact. In doing so, it will develop students’ skills in a number
of areas. For instance, it will explore the discipline of International Relations through
development of comparative study across local, regional and global settings. It will also
seek to enhance student employability by case studying key roles within industries
concerned with the topics covered.
Specific to:
Politics and Global Studies
Availability:
A
Assessments:
40%
60%
15/16
S1
Winchester
Individual role-play presentation
Essay (2000 words)
Module code: PO2301
Module Title: US Foreign Policy: Institutions and Concepts
Module Credits:
15.00
Number of Periods: 1
Module Tutor:
William Sheward
Description:
The foreign policy of the United States has had far reaching impact and global
ramifications. The contemporary position of the US as the ‘world’s only superpower’,
and her dominance in terms of world trade, military capacity, and cultural output,
means that the foreign policy decisions of the US government are hugely consequential
and worthy of study. This module will seek to explain how and why these decisions are
made by introducing the key foreign policy concepts and ideological positions present in
the US polity, as well as charting the institutions and offices under whose authority it
falls to make them. Expanding on this, an analysis will be made of extra-governmental
institutions, such as the media and its impact on policy. Students will gain from the
module an understanding of the processes involved in formulating America’s foreign
policy, the extent of its impact in the arena of international relations, and the objectives
and motivations that drive it.
Specific to:
Politics and Global Studies Joint
Politics and Global Studies
American Studies
American Studies Joint
Global History and Politics
Availability:
A
Assessments:
50%
50%
15/16
S1
Essay
Timed essay
Winchester
Module code: PO2302
Module Title: Political and Religious Themes in the Modern Near and Middle East
Module Credits:
15.00
Number of Periods: 1
Module Tutor:
Christine Ryan
Description:
This module introduces students to a number of the most significant issues in the
political and religious agendas of the contemporary Near and Middle East. (Here, the
‘Near and Middle East’ shall be judged to stretch from Morocco to Afghanistan,
including Turkey and the Sudan.) Utilising a variety of material, this course provides a
solid grounding in the more conspicuous concerns that affect the region at the start of
the Twenty-First Century. Critical interpretation of the issues under consideration is
encouraged through the close reading of primary sources. Thus, week by week, the
following themes will be studied, for example:
The concept of the Near and Middle East.
Key concepts in Islam: More than a religion
Islam and politics: Where non-religious ideology and faith meet
The end of the Ottoman Empire: Creating nation states in the region
The concept and Zionism and the creation of Israel
Key issues and possible conclusions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Hamas and Hizbullah: Giving the people what they want?
The growth of jihadi groups from 1980 to date: Afghanistan to Iraq
Secular political groups in the Middle East
Religion and politics in Turkey and Morocco: Whither liberal Islam?
Poverty, exclusion and emigration: Arabic exodus
Specific to:
Global History and Politics
History and the Modern World
History
Politics and Global Studies
Politics and Global Studies Joint
Theology and Religious Studies
Theology and Religious Studies joint
Availability:
A
Assessments:
25%
75%
15/16
S1
Individual presentation
Essay (2000 words)
Winchester
Module code: PO2303
Module Title: Global Governance
Module Credits:
15.00
Number of Periods: 1
Module Tutor:
Max Stafford
Description:
This module focuses on the workings of international institutions and the on-going
debates that seek to reform them. Starting with the United Nations and other postWWII institutions, the module moves on to cover a range of international institutions
and non-government organisations that have a role in politics and global studies.
The module will assess the relations between international institutions and the state
(and other actors) and the degree of cooperation, collaboration and harmonisation (or
otherwise) that exists between various bodies in a global setting.
Specific to:
Business Management
Global History and Politics
Politics and Global Studies
Politics and Global Studies Joint
Availability:
A
Assessments:
100%
15/16
S1
Report (3500 words)
Winchester
Module code: PO2406
Module Title: Discourses of War
Module Credits:
15.00
Number of Periods: 1
Module Tutor:
Christine Ryan
Description:
Discourses of War examines the contemporary issues related to modern warfare. As
well as looking at those countries who are involved in international conflict, this module
also considers intra-state conflict and considers its causes. The module finally considers
how the 'rules of war' have been challenged in the second half of the 20th Century and
into the 21st. Such challenges include the use of child soldiers, terrorism and a greater
involvement of the media.
Specific to:
English Language Studies Single Honours
Global History and Politics
Politics and Global Studies
Politics and Global Studies Joint
Availability:
A
Assessments:
25%
75%
15/16
S1
Individual presentation
Essay (2000 words)
Winchester
Module code: PO3501
Module Title: Debates in Globalisation
Module Credits:
15.00
Number of Periods: 1
Module Tutor:
Christine Ryan
Description:
The term globalisation is often recognised as 'Americanisation' due to America's
economic and cultural dominance in the world order. This module examines this view,
providing a critical analysis of its legitimacy as a 'global' trend by looking at the winners
and losers of globalisation and examining contingent issues of global poverty and Third
world development. The cultural aspect to globalisation will also be examined in the
module, again involving aspects of the so-called Americanisation of global culture.
Exploring these issues allows for a greater understanding of globalisation in theory and
then in practice. Both advocates and critics of globalisation will be introduced
throughout the module so a critical understanding of these issues can be realised.
Specific to:
Politics and Global Studies Joint
Global History and Politics
Politics and Global Studies
Availability:
A
Assessments:
25%
75%
15/16
S1
Winchester
Individual presentation (15 mins)
Essay (3000 words)
Module code: PO3503
Module Title: DIPLOMATIC STUDIES
Module Credits:
15.00
Number of Periods: 1
Module Tutor:
Max Stafford
Description:
This module considers contemporary developments in diplomacy and diplomatic studies.
The material covered on a weekly basis presents a critical in-depth study of diplomatic
history and current practice. The module recognises that diplomacy is no longer the
exclusive roles of states, but occurs frequently in other organisations. The module will,
however, focus on the diplomacy between states, but from a view of including
diplomatic matters that include international politics, security, trade missions, finance
and the movement of people between countries.
Specific to:
Global History and Politics
English Language Studies Single Honours
Politics and Global Studies
Politics and Global Studies Joint
Availability:
A
Assessments:
100%
15/16
S1
Diplomat report
Winchester
Module code: PO3606
Module Title: Sexual violence and politics: A political, historical, and cultural
investigation
Module Credits:
15.00
Number of Periods: 1
Module Tutor:
Christine Ryan
Description:
This module investigates a wide range of approaches to gender and sexuality studies
such as within a theoretical, social, cultural, political and historical field. Within this
remit the module challenges current understandings of gender and sexuality by
interrogating cultural identities of gender and the production of power systems and
gender hierarchy. This module will also involve a cross cultural comparison of these
understandings and power systems on an international scale.
Specific to:
Politics and Global Studies
Politics and Global Studies Joint
Availability:
A
Assessments:
75%
25%
15/16
S1
Winchester
Essay 3000 words
Individual presentations, 15 minutes
Module code: PO3607
Module Title: The Global South: Politics, Inequality and (In)Security
Module Credits:
15.00
Number of Periods: 1
Module Tutor:
Description:
This module explores some of the most important issues for the Third World from a
human -- rather than state -- perspective. An approach that adopts a human security
approach is people-centred, emphasizing the need to create the necessary economic,
social and political conditions for people to live dignified lives. Such things as health
provision, education, poverty, political participation and hunger are therefore at the
centre of the module. While in the past it seemed possible to achieve these goals within
the domestic political arena, today, given the constraints of globalization, achieving
human security demands global analysis and global action, an approach that is at the
heart of this module.
Acceptable to:
Politics and Global Studies
Politics and Global Studies Joint
Availability:
A
Assessments:
40%
60%
15/16
S1
Winchester
Development case study (1500 words)
Essay (2000 words)