Module:                                 PWH201 World Political History

Programme:                         B.A. Political Science and Sociology

Credit value:                         12

Module tutor:                        

1. General objective

This module aims to define world politics, starting at the late middle Ages, until the end of cold War. In the first part of the module students will learn about Europe's transition from feudalism to capitalism and the implications this had on the rest of the world. The module makes the link between the emergence of capitalism, imperialistic policies of European nations, and the nation-state system in Europe and aims to analyze the influence of national and international forces in explaining the creation, growth and dominance of the capitalistic, liberal world order. The second part of the module talks about the decline of this system of international relations, starting with the movement towards World War I, the independence struggles in Asia and the Americas (and later also in Africa). It explains the consequences of the loss of colonies on the economies of European nations, the interwar period and buildup to World War II. It further explains the Cold War and post-Cold war Era.

2. Learning outcomes

On completion of the module, learners will be able to:

• Examine the impacts of Europe's transition from feudalism to capitalism on the rest of the world.

• Describe the determinants of World War I and II and their consequences.

• Identify the  economic,  military,  and  political  factors  that  influence  world politics.

• Define colonialism and neo-colonialism.

• Evaluate major crises of the cold war period with its causes, nature, results and implications.

• Analyze the causes of the end of cold war and fall of USSR and emergence of independent new nation states.

• Explain the changing dynamics of New World Order with its meaning, nature and components.

3. Learning and teaching approach

Lectures (60 hours) Tutorials (15 hours) Assignments (15 hours) Independent study (30 hours)

4. Assessment

There will be both formative and summative assessments as follows:

A. Written assignment: Portion of final mark: 25%

Following criteria will be used to assess the written assignments:

1. Content - 10 marks
2. Organization – 5 marks
3. Referencing - 5 marks
4. Language - 5 marks

 B. Mid-term Exam: Portion of the final mark: 20%

The exam will be conducted when 50% of the module content is covered. Students will attempt short and long-answer questions with total marks of 50.

C. Assignment presentation: Portion of final mark: 15%

Each student will present their written assignment in the class for 20 minutes. He/she will provide a precise summary of the assignment by highlighting key issues and explaining the underlying themes. Following criteria will be used to assess the written assignments:

1. Content and organization – 10 marks
2. Delivery/Preparedness – 5 marks
3. Audience engagement/Use of visual aids – 5 marks

 D. Semester End Examination: Portion of the final mark: 40%

Overview of the assessment approaches and weighting

5. Subject matter

5.1.           Unit I: Europe from Middle/Medieval Ages to Modernity:

5.1.1.       Origin and decline of the Feudal system;

5.1.2.       Renaissance and the city-state system;

5.1.3.       Emerge of capitalism and the nation-state system;

5.1.4.       The increasing imperialism of European nations

5.2.           Unit II: The World after the Industrial Revolution:

5.2.1.       Colonization: Policies and impact;

5.2.2.       Decline of the imperialist world order: Causes, Impacts;

5.2.3.       War: Ethics of War and Peace, Just War Theory, Realism, Pacifism;

5.2.4.       World War I: Causes, Events, aftermath, importance;

5.2.5.       The interwar period, Peace settlement, Idealism;

5.2.6.       World War II: Causes, events aftermath, Importance,

5.2.7.       Twentieth   century   classical   realism:   E.H.   Carr   &   Hans Morgenthau

5.3.           Unit III: The Cold War:

5.3.1.     Decolonization and newly independent States; Impact on international politics;

5.3.2.       US-USSR rivalry; Globalized conflict; bipolar world; systemic conflict;  new  form  of  arms  race:  Weapons  of  Mass  Destruction, Mutual Assured Destruction, Balance of terror; concept of deterrence.

5.3.3.       Disarmament   treaties:   Nuclear   non   Proliferation   Treaty, Biological weapons convention, SALT I and II, ABM treaty, START I, Intermediate Nuclear forces treaty, CTBT, NAM

5.3.4.       Cold War Crises: Korean Crisis, Cuban missile crisis, Vietnam and Afghanistan - causes, events, outcome and significance.

5.4.           Unit IV: End of Cold War and New World Order:

5.4.1.       Causes  of  end  of  Cold  War:  Leadership  factor,  economic factor, political factor, new wave of thinking; Impact on international politics;

5.4.2.       Break-up   of   USSR   and   Yugoslavia:   Leadership   factor, economic factor, political factor, nationalities factor; impact on international politics;

5.4.3.       New   World   Order:   Unipolarity,   US   Primacy   and   the international relations.

6. Reading List

6.1.           Essential Reading

Baylis, J., Smith, S., & Owens, P. (2014). The globalization of world politics: An introduction to international relations. (6th eds.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Calvocoressi, P. (2000) World politics since 1945.London: Longman.

Fukuyama, F. (1992). The end of history and the last man. New York, NY: THE FREE PRESS

Lowe, N. (2014) Mastering Modern World History. London: Palgrave Macmillan

6.2.           Additional Reading

Griffiths, M. & O'Callaghan, T. (2002). International relations: The key concepts. London: Routledge

Horne,  J.  (2010).  A  companion  to  world  war  I.  United  Kingdom:  Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Little, R. & Smith, M. (2006).Perspectives on world politics. (3rd eds.). Madison Park, NY: Routledge

Zartman, I., W. (2011). Imbalance of Power: US Hegemony and International Order. New Delhi: VIVA Books Private Ltd.

Zeiler, T. W., DuBois, D. M. (2013). A companion to world war II.UK: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Date: December 2015