GI4058 - Perspectives from the Global South (2023/24)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2023/24 | ||||||||||||||||
| Module title | Perspectives from the Global South | ||||||||||||||||
| Module level | Certificate (04) | ||||||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||||||||
| School | School of Social Sciences and Professions | ||||||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
| Assessment components |
|
||||||||||||||||
| Running in 2023/24(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
|
Module summary
This module on Perspectives from the Global South introduces debates on global issues with a focus on inputs emerging from non-Western context. Are global issues understood similarly by the Global North and the Global South? The module will consist of an introductory part on understanding the notion of Global South with a critical discussion of the subfield of Area Studies. Then, the main content of module draws from empirical case studies to address global issues such as gender, migration, and climate change.
Students, who have already gained knowledge in the first semester on core general themes of International Relations, will familiarise with the complexity of the world context by widening existing debates with perspectives from the Global South. In so doing, students will be introduced to the problem of global inequality derived from processes of colonisation and decolonisation.
The aim of this module is that students will critically reflect on global issues by gaining an understanding of the realities and experiences of those who are marginalised or have less power to set global agendas.
Prior learning requirements
None; This module is available to Study Abroad students.
Syllabus
The syllabus will include:
1. The Global South: concept and historical development (LO 1, 4)
2. One Global South or many? The division of the non-Western context in ‘Area studies’
1. (LO 1, 4)
2. Global Issues and the North-South debate (LO 1, 2, 3, 4)
3. International Migration and the question of borders (LO 2, 3)
4. Women and inequality (LO 2, 3, 4)
5. Perspectives on climate change from the developing world (LO 2, 3, 4)
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
This module is taught over 12 weeks. Sessions are made up of one hour lecture, one hour class activity and a seminar and workshops on specific topics. Students are expected to attend the lecture and engage in relevant discussions related to the topic, raise questions and demand clarifications. The seminars are meant for students to freely discuss a given topic. In addition, two to three workshops consisting of two hours each will be run within this 15-week period and decided with beforehand with students. The workshops will imply a reorganisation of the class activity and seminar on that teaching day. The two-hour workshops will involve a class activity, whether individual or in a group and will involve the submission of a piece of work that will form part of the student’s assessment.
Students are expected to engage with the Virtual Learning Environment; be able to retrieve ‘posts’ from the lectures and supplementary teaching materials, and handle information from Internet sources, journals and books (enhancing academic literacy).
Students acquire knowledge of issues, theories and themes under discussion.
Classwork is a guided activity that enhances a broad understanding of key concepts by reflecting on specific aspects or developments related to the theme under discussion. Classwork contributes to group-work and the acquisition of communication skills in a context of higher education. Seminar discussions around a main question enhance communication and problem-solving skills and ‘real world’ group-work. Reading and the use of other media-related formats as a common exercise for reflection in the classroom develops critical and conceptual skills, as well as numeracy and analysis. Written and formative feedback aims to empower students, develop their written expression, and study skills, and gain through self-reflection.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students will be able to:
1. gain an understanding of theoretical knowledge about the international system with a focus on discussing the notion of the Global South
2. familiarise with the specific problematics of the Global South; deepening and understanding of globalisation processes
3. acquiring basic notions of methodology through case studies
4. develop writing and oral skills for comparative analysis; develop reading and comprehension skills
Assessment strategy
Summative assessments.
1. Group presentation. Students will have a 15 min. class presentation on a topic related to one of the four main themes discussed in class. Groups and topics will be decided in week 3.
2. Text commentary in class. Students will comment in class 1–2-page text.
3. Class participation. The student will contribute to discussions and will be asked to prepare a 2-3 minute presentation on a specific issue by the lecturer. The presentation will involve finding basic information and share it with the class. An example of this class activity can be introducing an international organisation, exploring the meaning of a key concept, finding relevant facts about a specific case study or historical development related to the module’s content.