Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL3261: Becoming an Actor in World Politics: International and Transnational Recognition

This module descriptor refers to the 2020/1 academic year.

Module Aims

1) To introduce students to the politics of international recognition of states, secessionism and contested statehood

2) To bridge traditional (legal and state-centric) understandings of international recognition in IR and the social theory of recognition

3) To expand traditional views of international recognition into the concept of transnational recognition, applying the latter to a variety of processes of state and non-state actor emergence in world politics

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Demonstrate understanding and situate debates on the international recognition of states and contested statehood
2. Critically apply insights from the social theory of recognition to both state and non-state actors in world politics
Discipline-Specific Skills3. Find, use and analyse secondary and primary data relevant to specific issues in politics and IR;
4. Place contemporary political issues in larger contexts;
5. Deploy critical arguments in analysing political issues and evaluating sources;
Personal and Key Skills6. Work independently and in a group, including the presentation of material for group discussion;
7. Demonstrate analytical skills and the ability to digest, select and organise material;
8. Demonstrate writing skills including the ability to produce well organised and coherent essays to a deadline, practice in articulating and defending positions on tutorial topics.