Objectives
The term "Globalisation" embraces a range of deeply transformative political, economic and social processes. Understanding these - or the meaning, significance and implications of globalization - presents major theoretical and practical challenges for those working or intending to work in the realms of government, business, civil society or academia. The Brunel MA not only equips students to understand globalisation, but also to think in an informed manner about questions of its "governance": that is, how globalisation might be steered or developed in a politically and ethically satisfactory manner. Students graduating from this programme will have knowledge and understanding not only of the key debates and perspectives upon globalisation, governance and international relations, but also of the different sectors of the emerging global political system: namely the state and other public authorities, business and institutions of global capital, and civil society and international non-governmental organisations.
Course description
Course Summary
The term "Globalisation" embraces a range of deeply transformative political, economic and social processes. Understanding presents major theoretical and practical challenges for those working or intending to work in the realms of government, business or academia. The MA not only equips students to understand globalisation, but also to think in an informed manner about questions of its "governance": that is, how globalisation might be steered or developed in a politically and ethically satisfactory manner.
Students graduating from this programme will have knowledge and understanding not only of the key debates and perspectives upon globalisation, governance and international relations, but also of the different sectors of the emerging global political system.
Course Details
Typical Modules
Globalisation
This module deals thematically with the main issues in the debate about the meaning, extent, and consequences of 'globalisation'. It uses a multidisciplinary approach, and covers the political, economic, historical and cultural aspects of globalisation. Topics include the impact of globalisation on economic policy, with particular reference to the role of the international institutions, international migration, and the impact of globalisation on culture and the environment.
Global Civil Society
Main topics of study: emergence of civil society as a political category; development of civil society in eighteenth and nineteenth centuries; Gramscian and neo-Gramscian readings of civil society; civil society and 'new social movements';
the emergence of 'global civil society'; civil society, associative democracy and global politics; civil society, states, and the international system; global civil society and modern warfare.
Evolution of International Relations
The module analyses the theoretical development of International Relations and many of its central political and normative questions. The evolution of the discipline is traced through critical analysis of the key debates, questions and interventions that have marked an increasingly contested field. The module will also equip students with the concepts and paradigms that are necessary to analyse other areas of International Relations.
Structures of Governance
Analyses devolution and federalism and their impact on public and social policy. It explores ongoing reforms to different structures of governance, including local, global and corporate governance, and introduces debates about regulation and the role of the courts.
Dissertation
The dissertation enables students to conduct research on an area of particular interest, on a topic approved by the Course Director and under the guidance of an academic supervisor. Students are expected to show awareness of methodological issues and utilise appropriate social science methods. Students who are unsure about undertaking a dissertation may begin by enrolling for a Diploma and subsequently upgrade their registration to an MA if they wish and if their average mark is above 50%.
Elective Modules
Two from:
International Public Policy
EU Public Policy
Main topics of study: concise overview of the history of European integration and the current institutional architecture of the EU; the making of the single market; impact of economic integration on member states' diverse traditions of public policy; public health; monetary union; implementation; public opinion and support for policy-making at the EU level; justice and home affairs; the concept of a democratic deficit and its implications.
China in the World
Main topics of study: the IR theory legacy: frameworks for analysis; the traditional China legacy: world views, 'strategic culture', the 'middle kingdom'; the western legacy: colonialism, the 'century of humiliation'; the Communist (Maoist) legacy: eg 'Chinese' Communism, theories of development, 'World Revolution', 'intermediate world', 'United Fronts' etc; the modernisation (Dengist and beyond) legacy: economic and military; current Chinese goals, interests and imperatives - 'Grand Strategy'; China's relationship with Russia (regional and global/strategic); China's relationship with Japan (regional); China's relationship with America (regional and global/strategic); China's relationship with Europe/EU (extra-regional/strategic); China's relationship with India (Asia-wide); China and world structures (UN, Environment/Population, Globalization).
Human Rights
International Politics of Climate Change
Main topics of study: the rise of environmental politics – from 'Silent Spring' to 'Sustainable Development'; anthropogenic climate change: understanding the challenges; neoliberalism versus gaia? environmentalism and the sceptics; key actors in the global politics of climate change; combating climate change: key national and international policies and regimes; combating climate change: green theory, critical perspectives.
Environmental Degradation
Environmental Perspectives
Special Features
The Brunel Business School is the largest School in the University and offers a wide range of services to the local, national and international community. To prospective and current students, we offer a great range of vocational and relevant courses, excellent teaching and facilities and a vibrant London campus experience. If you choose to study at Brunel, you will be taught by lecturers who are active researchers engaged in advancing the state of knowledge and understanding in the very fields in which they teach.
Assessment
Successful completion of the course requires students to pass six 20-credit modules and a 60-credit dissertation on an appropriate topic. A Master's degree is awarded if you reach the necessary standard on the taught part of the course and submit a dissertation of the required standard. The pass grade for all modules and the dissertation is 50%. Students are normally required to pass all the required taught modules before being permitted to proceed to the dissertation. If you do not achieve the standard required, you may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate if eligible.
Teaching Methods
Courses will be taught through a programme of lectures, directed reading and seminars. Modules are assessed by a variety of coursework, examination and presentations.
