Admission requirements
This course is only open for students that are enrolled in the Minor Ecology, Migration and Tolerance: Limits to Cooperation.
Description
This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the United Nations as a multilateral institution, tracing its historical origins, founding principles, and evolving role in international relations from the mid-20th century to the present. Students will examine the contributions of both state and non-state actors—including those from the Global South—in shaping the institution as it exists today. The course focuses on five thematic areas that highlight the UN’s distinctive contributions and connect with other courses in the minor: human rights protection and promotion; humanitarian intervention and the responsibility to protect; migration governance and refugee protection; climate change mitigation and adaptation; and peacekeeping and conflict resolution.
By the end of the course, students will be able to assess how the UN’s role is interpreted through different theoretical perspectives and critically analyse its effectiveness and relevance in addressing contemporary global challenges. Through case studies, students will explore the UN’s capacity to respond to contemporary challenges and its adaptation to shifting geopolitical dynamics.
Individual essays will allow for in-depth analysis of specific areas of UN activity and effectiveness linked to a particular case study, while teamwork will focus on learning about the operational realities of UN agencies and other partner organisations.
Course objectives
Students will learn about the origins of the UN system and will become familiar with the idea of the UN as a historical site for examining intersecting issues.
Students will be able to distinguish and explain connections with contemporary global challenges. This will be achieved through in-class discussion and group activities.
Students will have the opportunity to build on the knowledge gained through the course and apply it to a well-defined case study for their final essay.
Students will become familiar with methods of primary source analysis and searching digital archives relevant to conducting research on international organisations.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
- Eight lectures and four seminars.
Assessment method
Assessment and Weighing
| Partial grade | Weighing |
|---|---|
| In-class tests | 30% |
| Group presentation | 20% |
| Final Essay | 50% |
End Grade
If the End Grade is insufficient (lower than a 6.0), or the Final Essay is lower than 5.5, there is a possibility of retaking the 70% of the Final Essay.
Students who score an overall insufficient grade for the course, are allowed to resubmit a reworked version of the Final Essay. The deadline for resubmission is 10 working days after receiving the grade for the essay and subsequent feedback. In case of resubmission of the essay, the final grade for the essay will be lowered as a consequence of the longer process of completion.
Retaking a passing grade
Please consult the Course and Examination Regulations 2025 – 2026.
Exam review and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organised.
Reading list
To be announced. Readings will be accessible via the Library Catalogue and/or Brightspace.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Student Affairs Office for BA International Studies
Remarks
All other information.