Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Politics of the United Nations
Module Code	LG360
School	School of Law & Government
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Diana O'Dwyer Semester 2: Diana O'Dwyer Autumn: Diana O'Dwyer
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

The United Nations is perhaps the most ambitious project of international co-operation and governance in the international system, and the closest international politics has come to some form of world government. Born from the ashes of World War II, the UN has consistently played an important (and sometimes understated) role in world economic, social and political affairs. The relevance of the UN is as important as ever in the 21st century, despite suffering legitimacy problems after September 11th, and facing an uncertain future as a result of globalisation, global terrorism and increased isolationalism.This course introduces students to the study of the United Nations. We will examine the evolution of the UNs role on the international stage from the Cold War to the present day, together with the main challenges and problems the organisation is now facing. Students are expected to attend class, contribute during class and utilize the online resources.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the major institutional structures of the UN
2. Understand and explain the evolution of the UN since World War II
3. Analyse and explain the theory and reality of collective security within the UN
4. Critically analyse contemporary political events within the UN
5. Build a link with theoretical approaches in international politics and analyse how they may be helpful in explaining the UN

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	22	No Description
Independent learning	103	No Description
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction to the United Nations: Theories of IO and Genesis and Basic Principals of the UN.
The Principal Organs of the United Nations: Competencies, Functions and Decision-Making Processes.

The Core Functions of the UN: Collective Legitimisation and the Theory of Collective Security.
The Cold War UN: The Evolution of Collective Security.

The Third World UN and Hiatus in the 1980s.
The UN after the Cold War: New roles and the re-birth of peacekeeping.

After September 11th? Terrorism, WMDs and Iraq.
The UN and Human Rights.

The UN and Sustainable Human Development – Theory and Practice.
Development, Globalisation, Global Governance and UN Global Conferences – A new form of Legitimisation?.

The UN and the 21st Century?.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assignment	Research Paper	60%	n/a
Essay	n/a	40%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List