Course syllabus Challenges to the World Order

180 credits of which 90 credits must have been obtained in subjects in the social sciences or the humanities. English proficiency equivalent to English B or English 6 is also required.

We presently face significant challenges to the so-called 'rules-based international order’. The rise of authoritarian regimes, extremist right and populist forces, and the return of geopolitics reveal the fragility of democracy and liberal visions of progressiveness and order. This has important implications for war, peace, and everyday life. But what are ‘world orders’, what shape do present challenges take, and how can we think about these challenges and forms of resistance to them? This course aims to explore challenges to the world order in our current times by delving into the ideas and practices that seek to overturn the post-war liberal architecture and replace it with different visions of society and order. In the course the student focuses on key manifestations of this challenge to the world order through the rise of populism, authoritarianism and the role of technology. The student explores how ideas of democracy and security are being dismantled and the implications thereof for international institutions and war. The course also asks what is problematic about liberal visions of world order, particularly the ‘hypocrisy charge’ that the post-war liberal order fails to live up to its own values and interrogates alternative visions of future global order.

Type of instruction 

Lectures, seminars, independent study.

Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• demonstrate a solid understanding of different theoretical debates relevant to the study of world order and their underlying assumptions
• demonstrate an understanding of the core features of the post-WWII rules-based international order and their implications for international relations and security

Competence and skills 

• analyse different political challenges to the world order and apply relevant theoretical and conceptual perspectives to discussions of global and societal security

Judgement and approach

• develop constructive critiques and assessments of different ideas of world order, including normative and ethical implications and problems.

Assessment is through an on-campus written exam, as well as active participation in mandatory seminars.

The examiner may decide to request supplementary assignments in order to achieve a passing grade on the course. Supplementary assignments must be completed no later than three working days after the notification of any supplementary assignment, unless there are special reasons approved by the examiner.

Grading

The student is graded on a three-point grading scale: Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with distinction (VG). Grading criteria are provided at the start of the course.

To achieve the grade Pass (G), the student must achieve a pass on the seminars and the on-campus written examination. To achieve the grade Pass with distinction (VG) the student must, in addition to the requirements for a Pass (G), achieve a Pass with distinction on the on-campus written examination.

Restrictions in Number of Examinations

There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.

When the course is no longer offered or when the course content has changed substantially, the student has the right to be examined once per semester during a three-term period in accordance with this syllabus.