200-level

POLS202
International Relations and Humanitarian Ideals
Description
This course examines the intersection of international relations and humanitarian ideals. It examines debates over the meaning of sovereignty, the role of identity and ethnicity in war, and the impact of human rights in international and global politics. These issues are illustrated via case studies of humanitarian intervention and the war on terror.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2024
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from POLS, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA, or LAWS, GEOG, or the Schedule V of the BCom.
POLS205
Politics of the United States of America
Description
This course focuses on the institutions and government of the United States. Topics include civil rights and civil liberties, the Courts, Presidential-Congressional relations, the national security establishment (e.g. the military and Central Intelligence Agency), the Trump Administration, and the 2020 Presidential election. We also consider key foreign policy issues such as the U.S.in the Asia-Pacific region, U.S.-China relations, U.S.-North Korea relations, and the global significance of the U.S. economy. Particular attention will be given to the dynamics of the 2020 Presidential election.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2024
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from POLS, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA, or LAWS, GEOG, or the Schedule V of the BCom.
POLS206
Introduction to Public Policy and Policy Analysis
Description
This course introduces concepts of and approaches to public policy analysis and evaluation. The course examines the interaction of expertise, society, and public policy and clarifies the intricacies of the policy process in light of technological and social change.
Occurrences
Semester One 2024
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from HLTH, HSRV, or POLS, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA, or LAWS, GEOG, or the Schedule V of the BCom.
POLS209
Politics of International Aid and Development
Description
This course introduces the main discourses, theories and practices related to the discipline of international development studies and its actors. We will first study the contentious history of the discipline which remains at times influenced by its colonial roots. This historical review will be key in appreciating how, since the end of World War II, global and regional political and economic contexts have informed the rise - and fall - of development theories and practices. Building on these historical insights, the course then turns to the politics of development aid and its actors. Here, a critical analysis of the drivers and practices for and around aid allocation will be pivotal in assessing the impact of aid on the ground. We will discuss key debates in relation to why and how governments give aid (bilateral and multilateral aid) and why, despite billions of dollars spent on international aid over time, poverty still plagues many countries across the Global South. The third part of the course turns to international private aid flows. Here we will discuss the trends and issues that arise from a proliferation of private actors in the aid industry: foundations, corporations, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and broader civil society movements. Practical case studies will be utilised throughout the course, by reference to a variety of historical events, case studies of actors in the field such as the World Bank, NZAid, and Oxfam, as well as guest experts from the field.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2024
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from POLS, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA, or LAWS, GEOG, or the Schedule V of the BCom.
POLS210
Democratic Uprisings and Political Participation
Description
With democracy increasingly coming under attack around the world, this course examines democratic uprisings, focusing on the "people's power" uprisings in Southeast Asia, the "Arab Spring" uprisings in the Middle East, and contemporary uprisings in other parts of the world. It examines the causes of uprisings, the factors that lead to success or failure, and the role of both traditional and social media in the uprisings. It considers when newly created democracies are most likely to succeed and when they are likely to fail. Last, we consider the threats to contemporary democracies, particularly new democracies, but also with some reflection on more established democracies like our own.
Occurrences
Semester One 2024
Semester One 2024 (Distance)
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from POLS, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA, or LAWS, GEOG, or the Schedule V of the BCom.
POLS211
China from Mao to Now
Description
This course will provide an introduction to the domestic politics and foreign policy of the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan (Republic of China).
Occurrences
Semester Two 2024
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from POLS, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA, or LAWS, GEOG, or the Schedule V of the BCom.
POLS212
Global and International Political Economy
Description
This course examines the politics of global economic relations. It will focus on issues of international trade, the international monetary system, and foreign investment-and the relationship of each to both domestic and international politics. Among the specific topics to be discussed are: trade and protectionism, the role and performance of global institutions such as the IMF, World Bank, and WTO, the significance of multinational corporations, efforts at regional economic integration such as the EU and NAFTA, the relationship of the world economy to the economic development of poor countries, the emergence of new economic players such as China and India, and the relationship between economic strength and political power.
Occurrences
Semester One 2024
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from POLS, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA, or LAWS, GEOG, or the Schedule V of the BCom.
POLS216
City Politics and Urban Policy
Description
This is the century of the city. By 2050, seven in ten people on the planet will be living in an urban area. Many of the rapidly growing cities are larger than small nations. How do cities make decisions? How do citizens in cities effect change? This course examines local and regional community politics in rapidly developing urban areas and struggling regions; in particular the course examines the role and function of local democracy through the lens of public participation in key policy issues. Discussion and analysis considers the role of the public in policy formulation, and implementation at neighbourhood, city and regional level; and the relationship between local and central government and international agencies and considers the changing roles and challenges of local governance. There is a special focus on the politics of disasters and community recovery. Teaching includes field trips in both Christchurch and Westport field centre.
Occurrences
Semester One 2024
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from POLS, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA, or LAWS, GEOG, or the Schedule V of the BCom.
POLS224
Democratic and Economic Evolution of Europe
Description
This course is designed to provide sufficient knowledge and understanding of recent economic developments and democratisation processes in Europe as a whole and within the EU as an institution. It will examine the institutional and policy changes that have happened since the European "reunification" in 1989, but significant attention will be paid to the economic and political history of the continent also.
Occurrences
Semester One 2024
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from EURA or POLS, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA, or LAWS, GEOG, or the Schedule V of the BCom.
Restrictions
EURA224, EURO224, EURA324, EURO324
POLS232
Media and Politics
Description
The course provides an understanding of the role of the media in domestic and international politics. It does this by analysing key theoretical assumptions and debates on the role of media institutions in the struggle for power domestically and internationally. This course includes group work and requires active in-class engagement. It has on-campus and distance options. It features internationally-recognised top experts in the field of political communication as our guest speakers. Research, critical debate, collaborative work, networking, creativity, writing and presentation are among the core skills this course aims to advance.
Occurrences
Semester One 2024
Semester One 2024 (Distance)
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100 level from COMS or POLS, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA, or LAWS, GEOG, or the Schedule V of the BCom.
Restrictions
COMS205
POLS234
European Foreign Policy in the 21st Century
Description
This course focuses on how the EU, and its member states, are adapting to an international role in the 21st century. The course will critically examine the institutions of EU foreign and security policy, the creation of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and the increasing number of civilian and military crisis management operations. The course assesses the EU's emergent strategy and strategic culture and strands of its foreign policy in action. Particular attention is given to EU development policy, the EU's engagement with the Sustainable Development Goals, EU trade policy, as well as how the EU engages with other world powers such as the US, Russia and China.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2024
Semester Two 2024 (Distance)
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Any 15 points at 100-level from EURA or POLS, OR any 60 points at 100-level from Schedule V of the BA.
Restrictions
EURA234

Not Offered Courses in 2024

200-level

POLS203
World Politics: Islamic Societies
Description
Consequences of socio-economic and political change in selected Islamic states.
Occurrences
Not offered 2024, offered in 2011 , 2012
For further information see POLS203 course details
Points
15 points
POLS208
Global Politics: Party Politics and Elections in Contemporary Democracies
Description
This course is a study of the context and issues of politics and governance of contemporary democracies. Using a comparative analytical approach, the course examines the role of political institutions (formal and informal) and political development on political dynamics, behaviour and participation in these societies.
Occurrences
Not offered 2024
For further information see POLS208 course details
Points
15 points
POLS219
Global and International Politics: Foreign Policy Analysis
Description
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the theory and empirics of foreign policy analysis. The first part of the course addresses some general questions about the subject, such as: what is foreign policy and how do we study it? It then examines key factors and approaches in foreign policy analysis, beginning with traditional rational actor and bureaucratic decision-making approaches, and ending with more recent trans-national perspectives. Case studies are used throughout to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of the different theoretical approaches, with the emphasis on foreign policy doctrine and implementation in the United States and New Zealand.
Occurrences
Not offered 2024
For further information see POLS219 course details
Points
15 points
POLS258
Te Tiriti: The Treaty of Waitangi
Description
This course uses the Treaty of Waitangi to frame examinations of contemporary New Zealand society. We ask questions designed to highlight and emphasise the relevance of the Treaty of Waitangi to everyday New Zealanders. In addition, the course looks at the importance of this document in the maintenance of Crown and Maori relations. Topics covered range from the signing of the Treaty, and historical developments, to the protest movements and activism of the continuing Maori renaissance period, race relations and one law-for-all.
Occurrences
Not offered 2024
For further information see POLS258 course details
Points
15 points