Crises of the 21st Century

Module overview

This module will introduce students to the analysis of some of the concrete political challenges facing the world in the early 21st century. Drawing on political science, political theory and international relations (as well as wider disciplines), it takes up a problem-based approach designed to explore the causes of the problem (diagnosis), the dangers that it poses (prognosis), and the ways in which it may be addressed (prescription). It is aimed at both helping students to understanding the complexity of addressing these problems but also the possibilities for doing so.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

The module will enable students to acquire knowledge and understanding of some of the key political challenges of our time.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

The module will develop students research and communication skills through project work.
This module will engage students in team work through groups projects.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

This module will introduce students to the analysis of concrete political problems drawing on, and practising, a range of disciplinary intellectual and research skills.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

There will usually be two hours of lecture per week. The majority of these will be conventional lectures delivered by the module team. These will be recorded unless the technology fails. We may occasionally bring in guest speakers, depending on availability. These sessions may be in-person or online depending on the location of the speaker. It is up to each speaker whether their session is recorded, but this will be discussed with them and announced to students in advance so you can make decisions accordingly. There will be a fortnightly student-led seminar. We expect students to attend these unless they have a very pressing reason not to, since being able to discuss the issues covered is a crucial part of the learning process.

Study time
Type	Hours
Independent Study	120
Lecture	24
Seminar	6
Total study time	150

Assessment

Assessment strategy

The assessment strategy of this module is designed to form and develop concise analytical skills (assessment 1), long form research (assessment 2) skills.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Analytical essay	60%
Essay	40%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Essay	100%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Essay	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External