166-444 The Emerging World (Dis)Order

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Admission to fourth-year Political Science.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject provides students with an opportunity to think about some of the major themes in the international politics of the post-Cold War world. An underlying theme is the extent to which post-Cold War international politics can be seen in terms of the emergence of a new pattern of order (George Bush's proclamation of a 'new world order' at the time of the Gulf War) or whether phenomena such as the resurgence of ethnic nationalism warrant the characterisation of a heightened disorder. These themes are approached through an examination of various issues which have been important in the post-Cold War era e.g. the role of major powers or regions (US, Western Europe, Russia, Asia-Pacific), the position of the 'Third World', ethnic nationalism and its consequences (Bosnia, for example), the 'new international agenda' (geoeconomics, environmental and social issues), the role of the United Nations, regionalisation and globalisation. Students who complete this subject should: have an understanding of some of the major themes in post-Cold War international politics; have an understanding of a range of issues illustrating those themes; have written an in-depth analysis of at least one of those themes or issues; be able to reflect more broadly on the range of themes and issues which have been raised.

Assessment

Written work totalling 6000 words.