Re-Thinking the World (Dis) Order: Anthropological perspectives on Geopolitics and Diplomacy (L6301A)

30 credits, Level 6

Autumn teaching

The module examines debates in the anthropology of geopolitics. You’ll develop a systematic understanding of different expressions of geopolitical projects across space and time, focusing on:

• their spatial, cultural, political and social characteristics
• lived experiences of people in acutely affected world regions
• forms of "informal" diplomacy that enable communities to navigate world (dis)order.

We’ll analyse the ongoing implications of colonialism, the Cold War and China’s ‘Belt and Road’. And we’ll critically address the geopolitics of humanitarianism and international development, and highlight the diplomatic agency of migrants. 

You’ll be equipped with skills relevant to careers in international development, journalism, national and local government, and policy concerning
migrants and refugees.

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 300 hours of work. This breaks down into about 30 hours of contact time and about 270 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.