POLS319-18S1 (C) Semester One 2018

International Organisations: The United Nations and Contemporary Challenges

30 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 19 February 2018
End Date: Sunday, 24 June 2018
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Friday, 2 March 2018
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Friday, 18 May 2018

Description

An advanced undergraduate course examining international organisations with a special focus on the contemporary role of the United Nations.

International Organisations (IOs) have become pivotal actors on the global stage today, addressing pressing concerns of international public good, trade, environmental challenges, international security, as well as the evercritical issue of poverty. This course provides an introduction to the historical and theoretical foundations of IOs – both International Governmental Organisations
(IGOs) and International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs). Building on the case of
the United Nations, this class aims to equip students with a broad understanding of the organisation’s functions and structures. It will further bring students to reflect on the relevance, effectiveness and practices of IOs in our globalising world, as well as the pressing issues of legitimacy that they bring forth.

Learning Outcomes

1)  Gain knowledge on the key theoretical underpinning of IOs as a sub-field of International Relations;
2)  Understand the basic structure and functions of the United Nations as well as a wide range of contemporary IOs;
3)  Critically assess the role played by IOs in contemporary issues such as peace and security, international justice and human rights.

Prerequisites

30 points in POLS at 200 level. Students without 15 points at 200 level in POLS but with at least a B average in 75 points in appropriate courses may be admitted with the approval of the Programme Coordinator.

Course Coordinator

Pascale Hatcher

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Class debates and Essays 50%
Final exam 40%
Informed participation 10%

Notes

International Organisations (IOs) have become pivotal actors on the global stage today, addressing pressing concerns of international public good, trade, environmental challenges, international security, as well as the evercritical issue of poverty. This course provides an introduction to the
historical and theoretical foundations of IOs – both International Governmental Organisations
(IGOs) and International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs). Building on the case of
the United Nations, this class aims to equip students with a broad understanding of the organisation’s functions and structures. It will further bring students to reflect on the relevance, effectiveness and practices of IOs in our globalising world, as well as the pressing issues of legitimacy that they bring forth.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,493.00

International fee $6,075.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see Language, Social and Political Sciences .

All POLS319 Occurrences

  • POLS319-18S1 (C) Semester One 2018