Globalisation and Geopolitics (L7031)
Globalisation and Geopolitics
Module L7031
Module details for 2010/11.
18 credits
FHEQ Level 5
Module Outline
This course explores the relevance of spatial relations in understanding world politics. The term geopolitics was first coined in 1899 to describe the competing interests of mostly European states struggling for global influence. Since the 1990s, it has had a new lease of life as its attention to the relationship between space and power has a renewed relevance to understanding a wide range of current world issues. The term has acquired a variety of slightly different meanings, incorporating more local influences into its global scale of analysis and often adopting a much more critical position on its Eurocentric origins. This course will provide an introduction to geopolitics through the examination of key facets of contemporary globalisation, focusing on states and markets; violence; energy and resources; ethnicity and nationalism; migration, citizenship and diaspora and trade, aid and poverty amongst other important topics. Key theories in political geography, international relations and political anthropology will be introduced to help understand these themes. Particular attention will be paid to the `geopolitical imagination', the variety of ways in which states and regions are represented in political discourse, media, the arts and academia itself.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, a successful student should be able to
1. Demonstrate an understanding of key geopolitical theories in political geography.
2. Apply theoretical accounts of geopolitics to aspects of contemporary globalisation.
3. Understand the relevance of spatial relationships in world politics.
4. Critically reflect upon the variety of on contexts in which geopolitics apply.
5. Demonstrate an appreciation of the significance of media representations of geopolitical imaginations .
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Unseen Examination | Summer Term | 70.00% |
| Coursework | 30.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Exercise | Spring Week 9 | 100.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Term | Workshop | 2 hours | 001010000000 |
| Spring Term | Film | 2 hours | 111111000000 |
| Spring Term | Workshop | 1 hour | 001010100000 |
| Summer Term | Lecture | 2 hours | 111100000000 |
| Summer Term | Film | 2 hours | 111000000000 |
| Spring Term | Lecture | 2 hours | 111111111000 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Prof Michael Collyer
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