Admission requirements
Only students of the Advanced MSc International Relations and Diplomacy can take this course.
Description
This elective course will zoom in on how global challenges are discussed and addressed in a world where great powers are increasingly assertive with a focus on climate change. Other topics covered will include food and water scarcity, the Sustainable Development Goals/ Agenda 2030, global health and migration. For each of these topics, it will be discussed how multilateral fora address them and how non-governmental organisations (NGOs, philantrophy), the private sector and local governments (cities) contribute to agenda-setting and action on the ground. Their relevance for development and security will be discussed. The course will use theories on interest groups and advocacy, governance of global public goods, securitisation, framing and venue shopping. It will point to the advantages and disadvantages of formal and informal modes of governance from a legitimacy and effectiveness point of view. Specific attention will be given to the role of great powers (China, US, Russia and EU) and how various global challenges relate to climate change.
A course outline will be available on Brightspace. Overviews of the prescribed literature, and other documents for each week will be posted on Brightspace as well.
Course objectives
After successfully completing this course, students:
have knowledge of and insight into the magnitude of contemporary global challenges and how they are discussed in international political debates.
have bolstered their writing and presentation skills
know more about international advocacy on global challenges and have practiced with social media and writing an advocacy paper
Timetable
On the right-hand side of the programme front page of the studyguide you will find a link to the online timetables.
Mode of instruction
The course comprises introductory lectures and class presentations/videos prepared by students. Guest speakers with expertise on specific global challenges may be invited. Class attendance is required and active participation and contribution to social media activities linked to the course is expected and appreciated.
Study load: 140 hours
Attendance Policy
Attendance is mandatory, subject to course structure (see syllabus for details).
Assessment method
Course participation (10%)
Advocacy paper of max 2 pages (20%)
Group presentation (30%)
Final essay (40%)
Guidelines for the papers (incl. deadlines, formatting instructions, grading criteria and tips for writing) will be posted on Brightspace.
Failed partial grades or components should be compensated by passed partial grades or components. The calculated grade must be at least 5.50 to pass the course. It is not possible to re-sit a partial grade or component once you have passed the course.
Passed partial grades obtained in the academic year 2023-2024 remain valid during the academic year 2024-2025.
Passed partial grades obtained in the academic year 2024-2025 remain valid during the academic year 2025-2026.
Should a student fail the overall course, the student can complete the course in the next academic year. In cases of exceptional circumstances, a student may apply to the board of examiners for a resit to complete the course in the same academic year.
Reading list
The prescribed literature, case law and other materials will be announced on Brightspace. Students are encouraged to search for additional sources in preparation of the papers. Tips on where to find relevant sources will be provided on Brightspace as well.
Registration
The programme will register the students in Usis based on the group division. Use Brightspace for course information.
Contact
Dr. Louise van Schaik, Clingendael Institute, Head of Unit EU & Global Affairs and Senior Research Fellow lschaik@clingendael.org
Remarks
This course is an elective designed for MIRD students.
This elective is conditional on at least 5 students registering for this course.
Second year students have priority for the registration to this course.
This course is offered by The Netherlands Institute of International Relations ‘Clingendael’.
This is an intensive course which will take place during January.