Overview
Political Science 440: Global Governance and Law provides the tools and concepts relevant to understanding how practices of governance function in contemporary societies and toward what ends. It overviews some of the central debates on global governance and international law, especially in regard to violence and the use of force, human rights, economic transactions, and the environment. A number of key questions are discussed in relation to these debates. What is governance for? Where does accountability lie? How does law function? Who is being governed? Who participates in governance? Students will gain a broad understanding of some of the issues and potentialities for governance and law in global politics. The course does not assume that students already have a background in global governance and law, however, it provides a sophisticated introduction to some of the key concepts and how those concepts can be applied to contemporary practices.
The course is divided into four parts. The first part explores different approaches to explaining law and governance at the global level. It also reviews the development of law and governance processes and institutions at the global level and the factors that influenced these developments. The second part covers global legal governance and the use of violence, and the relationship of the UN and International Criminal Tribunals to the laws of war. The third part examines the expansion of international law into new areas, such as the development of international agreements and legal instruments to protect such things as human rights and the environment. The fourth part explores law and governance in the economic realm; it reviews the major financial institutions, their origins, and the sources of law in these areas. It also explores the impact of global social movements on the key multilateral economic institutions that govern the global political economy: the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization. In addition, it critically evaluates how theoretical formulations regarding global governance impact differently the Global South, as they may perpetuate neocolonial practices. In POLI 440 students develop a sophisticated understanding of the intellectual terrain of governance and law in a globalized world.
Outline
Part I: The Politics and History of International Law and Global Governance
- Unit 1: Governance, Governmentality, and Globalization
- Unit 2: The Structure and Foundations of Global Governance
- Unit 3: The History and Evolution of International Law
- Unit 4: The International Law and Global Governance Nexus
Part II: Governing the Use of Force through Law
- Unit 5: Law and Ethics on the Use of Force
- Unit 6: International Institutions, Legal Instruments, and War
Part III: The Expansion of International Law and Global Governance
- Unit 7: Protecting and Promoting Human Rights
- Unit 8: Environmental Governance
Part IV: Contesting Global Governance
- Unit 9: Multilateral Economic Institutions and Global Social Movements
- Unit 10: The Global South: Postcolonial and Decolonial Approaches to Governance
Evaluation
To receive credit for POLI 440, you must submit all six of the required course assignments and complete them to the satisfaction of your tutor. To receive credit for the course you must achieve an overall course D (50 percent) or better. The weighting of the assignments are outlined below.
| Activity | Weight |
| Assignment 1: Theory Proposal | 5% |
| Assignment 2: Theory Paper | 15% |
| Assignment 3: Concept Paper | 20% |
| Assignment 4: Research Proposal | 10% |
| Assignment 5: Research Paper | 30% |
| Assignment 6: Creative Project | 20% |
| Total | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
This course either does not have a course package or the textbooks are open-source material and available to students at no cost. This course has a Course Administration and Technology Fee, but students are not charged the Course Materials Fee.
Textbooks
POLI 440 taught by a combination of online materials, including a Study Guide, journal articles and book chapters, and academic support.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the POLI 440 challenge registration, you must complete a four-hour challenge exam and achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent).
| Activity | Weight |
| Challenge Exam | 100% |
| Total | 100% |
Challenge for credit course registration form