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Global Governance

Module Description

A ubiquitous term in academic and policy-making circles alike, global governance has come to refer to state and non-state actors working to address issues that cross territorial borders. This module examines the global structures, processes and institutions that shape global governance.

The module begins by examining the concept of global governance and situates it in historical context. We go on to consider leading mainstream and critical approaches to understanding global governance and international organizations.

The remainder of the module involves applying these analytical approaches to four issue areas: the global governance of (1) health; (2) finance; (3) labour and (4) climate change. We conclude by considering new directions in global governance.

Module Objectives

By the end of the module you should demonstrate an ability to:

  1. Analyse international organization and global governance in historical context;
  2. Critically assess different theories and approaches to global governance to make sense of patterns of global governance;
  3. Understand the role of state and non-state actors in global governance across different policy areas; and
  4. Make reasoned arguments, drawing on theoretical and empirical material, and express them effectively in oral and written form.

Preliminary Reading

Thomas Weiss and Rorden Wilkinson, eds. 2013. International Organization and Global Governance. Routledge.

Thomas Weiss. 2013. Global Governance: Why? What? Whither? Polity.

Kevin Gray and Craig Murphy. 2013. Rising Powers and the Future of Global Governance. Routledge. 

Timothy Sinclair. 2012. Global Governance. Polity.

Assessment

One essay of 4000 words (100% of total mark).

Every year our students' feedback helps us to improve our modules

“We started the module by looking at analytical approaches then moved into looking at different case studies. This helped to illuminate the big picture as well as the smaller focus on particular sectors.”

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