Introduction to Politics Unit: Global Power Brokers

The course global power will serve as an introduction to the main Western political
theories as well as the structures and systems that shape global politics and
international relations. Academic skills developed will include research, the evaluation of
evidence, and oral and written communication skills.

Course Outline:

Guiding Question:

In what ways do we understand the concepts of power, sovereignty, legitimacy, and

cooperation?

What is politics? (3 lessons)

Why politics matters (What is Politics ppt and politicsintro ppt)
An historical background to global politics
The changing nature of world order

Political ideologies: (3 lessons)

Realism
Liberalism
Conservatism
Socialism
Communism
Anarchism
Nationalism
Fascism
Feminism

Approaches to global politics: (3 lessons)

Sovereignty
Globalisation
Global governance

Global political issues: (6 lessons)

These topics are time dependent and may be adjusted according to current events.
Conflict, War & Terrorism
Poverty & Development
Environmental Issues
Human Rights
International Law
Revolution and Revolt

Global actors: (4 lessons)

Who are the key actors in contemporary global politics?

From where does their power stem?
What impact do these actors have on global politics?
What challenges do these global actors face in achieving their aims?
Global threads: (4 lessons)

How do citizens in the twenty-first century interact?

How have our lives been affected by globalisation?
Do citizens have global responsibilities?
Does the global citizen really exist?

Global cooperation and conflict: (4 lessons)

What do we understand by the term international community?

How does this community work in the twenty-first century and what are its
responsibilities?
How effective is the international community in managing cooperation, conflict and
instability?
What challenges do key global actors such as the United Nations and NGOs, face in
resolving issues such as war, conflict, environmental challenges and people movement?

Task: (4 lessons)

To develop knowledge and understanding of the effectiveness of the international

community students investigate at least TWO examples of contemporary global
cooperation and at least TWO examples of contemporary global conflict.

Alternate Futures Assessment: (5 lessons)

Students act as a fortune-teller to construct two visions of the future probable and
preferable - from now to 2050.

Focusing on the issue of where global power currently resides and what the two futures
would be like given power shifts.
They need to cover four themes:
a) Current Situation what have been the most important events/issues concerning
global power in the last five years? [Suggest one entry per year]
b) Probable Future what events/issues do you think are most likely between now and
2050 related to global [Up to 10 entries]
c) Preferable Future what events/issues would you most like to happen between now
and 2050 to ensure global power equity and a sustainable world. [Up to 10 entries]
d) Action for the future what action should be taken by individuals, businesses, NGOs,
Civil societies and governments to increase the chances of your preferable future to be
the probable future of 2050? [Up to 10 entries]

36 lessons total