Anthropology|Comparative Politics|Infrastructure|Interdisciplinary Studies|Interdisciplinary Thinking|International Relations and Politics|Political Economy|Politics

This module starts off with an overview of mainstream and critical international relations theory which are then  applied to real-world events. We will...

Approaches to Global Politics (BASC0045)

This module starts off with an overview of mainstream and critical international relations theory which are then  applied to real-world events. We will first think about how war and peace, order and disorder, prosperity and poverty are conceptualised in international relations. Using approaches from realism to post-colonial theory, we will discuss the role of the state in the formation of global politics in order to understand how globalisation has in turn affected the role of states in global politics, particularly against the backdrop of populist nationalism and ever-growing global challenges.

The first weeks introduce main theoretical streams by centering on the question of whether international relations are defined by anarchy or hierarchy. Once equipped with basic conceptual tools, students will focus on what motivates global politics, looking at concepts such as violence, fear, cooperation, power imbalances or oppression, as well as critically evaluating the assumed emancipatory potential of globalization and the liberal international order. The second half of the course then focuses on five big topics in contemporary international politics: security, development, health governance and climate change. 
 

Students learn the technical concepts used by structural engineers using qualitative analysis, based on physical and computing modelling skills. They learn...

Structural Concepts and Tools (BARC0143)

Students learn the technical concepts used by structural engineers using qualitative analysis, based on physical and computing modelling skills. They learn about the comparative structural behaviour of a range of building materials and configurations. Students are taught the basics of sizing structural elements for their future design projects and are asked to make a structural appraisal of case studies and their sample building design project.