Program Overview

Global Challenges Module

The Global Challenges module, coded as PO12004, is a team-taught module that introduces students to the key global political debates and challenges in the 21st century. This module is part of the School of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Law, and it falls under the discipline of Energy, Environment, and Society.

Module Details

• Credits: 20
• Level: 1
• Semester: Semester 2

Module Overview

This module delivers an understanding of the key conceptual debates and the main policy challenges marking global politics. It examines two interrelated sets of challenges within the global order: the ideational debates taking place throughout the world and the main policy problems that stand in the way of ensuring a sustainable standard of living for the world population.

What You Will Learn

In this module, students will:

• Learn more about some of the most important contemporary global challenges and the future implications arising from them.
• Gain insight into the dominant theoretical and ideological frameworks in contemporary global politics.
• Critically examine the interconnections between political ideas and the main material problems that form barriers to a sustainable standard of living globally.

By the end of this module, students will be able to:

• Analyse the interrelations between key policy challenges and the ideational frameworks through which they are interpreted and debated.
• Understand the interaction of theory and practice, linking key concepts to the development of politics and policy.
• Further their critical thinking skills in reading and evaluating academic publications and primary sources.
• Evaluate different types of data (qualitative and quantitative).

Assignments / Assessment

The assessed components of this module are:

• 5 multiple choice quizzes (50% - worth 10% each)
• Essay (50%)

This module does not have a final exam.

Teaching Methods / Timetable

The teaching methods include:

• One-hour lectures (two per week) that provide an overview of the weekly content.
• One-hour tutorials (one per week) that allow for smaller group work, student discussion, and debate.
• Independent study is a requirement, encouraging increased participation and deeper involvement in the learning process.

Courses

This module is available on the following undergraduate courses:

• Economics and Politics MA (Hons)
• Politics MA (Hons)
• Philosophy and Politics MA (Hons)
• Politics with Spanish MA (Hons)
• Geography and Politics MA (Hons)
• English and Politics MA (Hons)
• Politics with French MA (Hons)
• History and Politics MA (Hons)
• International Relations and Politics MA (Hons)
• History and International Relations MA (Hons)
• Politics and Psychology MA (Hons)
• Geopolitics MA (Hons)
• Community Development & Youth Work MA (Hons)