Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The module examines and compares the structure, politics and power of different international organizations, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the International Federation for Association Football (FIFA) and the United Nations (UN).

The aims of the module include:

- To understand the various roles that international organizations play in international politics.
- To understand the main theoretical approaches to the study of international organizations.
- To examine the governing structures and process of international organizations.
- To analyse the effectiveness of international organizations.

Outline Of Syllabus

Topics may include


•       the historical development of international organizations.
•       theoretical and conceptual approaches to the role of international organizations in international politics.
•       the structure and governing processes of international organizations.
•       the power, authority, and legitimacy of international organizations.
•       case studies that illustrate the role, practice and contribution of international organizations to international politics.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Intended knowledge outcomes:

•       understanding of the historical development and need for international organizations.
•       ability to analyse the political challenges that international organizations present and face.
•       understanding of the structure of international organizations and how such structures are impacted by political factors and different actors.
•       ability to assess the effectiveness of international organizations in a range of selected case studies

Intended Skill Outcomes

•       Cognitive Flexibility
•       Communication Skills
•       Critical thinking skills
•       Intellectual skills
•       Interpersonal and Communication
•       Management of learning
•       Planning and Organisation Skills
•       Self-management/resilience

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures provide essential content on the theory and practice of international organisations as well as the wider policy/academic debates surrounding their effectiveness and relations with state and non-state actors. Seminars draw upon specialist readings related to lecture content and give students the opportunity to discuss the issues, thus informally developing their understanding and views.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The written/unseen examination will assess the students knowledge and understanding of the ideas, debates and issues that are central to the module. The exam also provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to write succinctly and to time.

The 2000 word essay will provide an opportunity for students to explore one of the topics in greater depth. It will assess the student’s ability to place and synthesise the material gained from lectures and seminars in appropriate contexts and their ability to critically and succinctly evaluate the ideas, concepts and theories introduced in lectures and explored in seminars. In addition the essay will also assess the capacity and initiative of students to undertake independent study of published and electronic materials.

General Notes

N/A