Module:                                 PCP302 Contemporary World Politics

Programme:                         B.A. Political Science and Sociology

Credit Value:                        12

Module Tutor:                       

1. General objective

This module follows the subject on World Political History (PS 301) that studies world politics from the late Middle/Medieval Ages until World War II. Contemporary World Politics starts from the Second World War. It explores the structure of the previous and current world order. The module aims at identifying long term tendencies by exploring cyclical movements in world history and examining the extent to which these provide valid frames of reference. It aims to analyze connections, interactions –  and discontinuities  – between the political, economic, military,  and ideological factor and how these forces influence, reinforce, or contradict one another. The module also intends to develop students' capacity to analyze and predict future trends in world politics.

2. Learning outcomes

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

• Analyze world political history after World War II

• Identify the forces behind the end of Cold War and its influence on rest of the world

• Identify the problems that emerged after the fall of Berlin Wall and the rise of the US as an economic-political superpower

• Describe the challenge of today's world order

• Explain the contemporary issues in world politics

• Analyze some rudimentary solutions to the major world problems

• Relate Bhutanese's issues with the world politics

3. Learning and teaching approaches

4. Assessment Approach

A. Assignments: Portion of Final marks: (30%)

There will be one assignment for this module; the topic of the assignment will focus on the contemporary world political issues. Assignment will be marked on:

Organization10% Content 15%

Grammar and reference 5%

B. Mid-Semester Examination: Portion of Final Marks: (20%)

Mid-term exam will be conducted in the middle of the semester (after covering half of the syllabus). The questions will be cumulative coverage of the syllabus. The idea is to test the understanding of the subject.

C. Oral Presentation: Portion of Final Marks: (20%)

Students have to make one presentation based on the topic distributed by the module tutor.

D. Semester-end Examination: Portion of Final Marks: (40%) Semester end Examination for the duration of three hours.

5. Subject matter

5.1.           Unit I: The transition from a Bipolar to a new World Order

5.1.1.       Pax –Americana

5.1.2.       Global uneasiness

5.2.           Unit II: Major Issues in Contemporary World Politics

5.2.1.       Terrorism: Introduction, History and growth, Causes, Impact, Technology and terrorism, Combating Terrorism, Religion ethnicity and terrorism, Governmental cooperation and legal mechanism against terrorism

5.2.2.   Environmental   issues:   Introduction   to   international environmental issues, History of environmental issues on the international agenda, Environmental security and threats to humankind, issues and challenges in international environmental politics, the development and implementation of environmental regimes, major international environmental treaties.

5.2.3.       Human Rights: Concept and the development of human rights, Human   Rights   and   the   United   Nations,   Human   Rights   and international politics, Major Human Rights treaties, Human Rights and universalism, Human Rights abuses and international community

5.2.4.       Humanitarian Intervention: What is humanitarian intervention? The legality of humanitarian intervention, state practices regarding humanitarian  intervention  during  and  after cold  war,  international politics   and   humanitarian   intervention,   UN   and   humanitarian intervention.

5.2.5.   Globalization:  Concept,  Theoretical  perspectives  on Globalization,  Globalization  tendencies,  Technology  and globalization, Social, Economic, Political, Cultural and Environmental dynamics and impact of globalization, Globalization and the Third World countries.

5.2.6.       North-South  Debate:  Concept  of  North  and  South,  various reports, History of North South dialogue, role of major international organizations.

5.2.7.       Poverty and Development: Introduction, poverty, development, hunger, globalization and poverty, international efforts to fight poverty and hunger, the future.

5.2.8.       Migration   and   Refugees:   Concept   and   theory,   major international treaties, security of refugees.

5.2.9.       Ethnic   Conflict:   Causes,   Nature,   Dynamics,   International Politics and Ethnic Conflict, post cold war era and ethnic conflicts. Energy Crisis, Nuclear Proliferation, Gender Issues

5.3.           Unit III: Geographical areas of concern

5.3.1.       Problems in West Asia

5.3.2.       Poverty, ethnic conflict and military dictatorship in Africa

5.3.3.       Military dictatorship and development of Latin America

5.4.           Unit IV: Trends in World Economy

5.4.1.       Developed and developing countries.

5.4.2.       The Washington Consensus

5.4.3.       Emergence of EU and its implications for world economy

5.4.4.       Emergence  of  Asian  economies  with  special  reference  to China and India

5.4.5.       Problems of Development of Africa

6. Reading List

6.1.           Essential reading

Calvocoressi, P., (2000).World Politics since1945.London: Longman

Kegley, C.W. & Blanton, S.L. (2014). World politics: trends and transformation. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

Kegley, C. W. & Raymond. G. (2012) The Global future: a brief introduction to world politics. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

6.2.           Additional reading

Donne, Tim (2004) Human Rights in Global Theory. London: OUP Flak, Richard (2001) Human Rights Horizon, London.

Keylor, W. R., (2008) A World of Nations: the International Order Since 1945. New York. NY: Oxford University Press

Kielv, R. (2007) Empire in the Age of Globalisation: US Hegemony and Neoliberal Disorder, Orient Longman

Michae, l. J. (1999).The politics of the real world. London:OUP. Spanier, J. (1998).American Foreign Policy since WWII, Routledge Scholte, Jan (2006). Globalization: a critical reader, Palgrave

Surian, J (1996). "Globalization, poverty and promises of modernity" Millenium, 25(3)

Willis, F. (2004). European Integration, New Viewpoints, London.

Yahuda, M., (2011).The International Politics of the Asia Pacific: Since 1945. London: Routledge.

Young, J., Kent, J. (2003). International relations since 1945: A Global History. Oxford: Oxford University Press

Date: August 2015