DSPO 27A49 - The United Nations and Global Governance

This course introduces and explores the history, institutions, core policies, and impact of the United Nations in the context of ‘contemporary global governance.' Emphasis is placed on assessing the UN's core institutions (Security Council, General Assembly, ECOSOC, UN Secretariat, and Secretary-General) and the UN's policies in the fields of peace and security, human rights, environment, and sustainable development. Students are encouraged to critically assess the UN's effectiveness and options for reform while appreciating the persistent challenges of global governance in the context of a multiplicity of actors without formal, overall coordination. The course also provides students with an opportunity for critical in-depth (tutorial) discussion, group work, and in depth research into the role, function, and performance of the United Nations in the policy fields discussed in the course. TEACHING METHOD AND COURSE ELEMENTS The teaching method will be based on a combination of lectures and interactive seminar-based teaching, which aims at encouraging students to engage in critical discussions as well as thorough and creative textual analysis, independent research, and group work. The first part of the session will be a lecture by the instructor, outlining core themes and aspects of the session's main topic, followed by a discussion with students. Classes are interactive, and students are encouraged to intervene and debate throughout the lecture. Students will be asked to participate in role-playing exercises throughout the course actively. This course is a screen-free learning environment unless specified for use during in class-group work.

Christina BACHE

Séminaire

English

Spring 2022-2023

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENTS Students will be assessed on their research, writing, and presentation skills and their grasp of the course content with the help of one written exam. In addition to the one exam; there will be two other assignments: 1. Individual Research Paper on a Specific Contemporary Global Governance Issue of your choice (35%) You are required to choose one contemporary global governance issue related to peace and security, human rights, environment, or sustainable development and analyze how the United Nations has responded to the evolution of the issue, its role, functions (policy-fields), effectiveness (impact/successful policy - promotion or unsuccessful actions) and suggestions for future responses. Essays should be 3,000 words long and include every item below: • All papers should have a title page with (your name, the course module, an indication of minor/major, and the paper title) • Each page of the text should be numbered • A bibliography • Uniform referencing (author, title, year of publication, publisher, place of publication, and page numbers for articles and direct references) RESEARCH PROPOSAL In addition, you need to submit a two-page Research Proposal, which forms the basis for feedback and discussion with the course instructor. The research proposal is the first step toward the final paper. Research proposals should include: • A clear research question related to your specific contemporary Global Governance issue. • The research question may change and may be adapted as your research progresses. Additional empirical/theoretical information may force you to reformulate or fine-tune the research question in line with your findings. Irrespective of eventual changes, your initial research questions should be as straightforward as possible. • The research proposal should also contain a paper outline. The paper outline should indicate how you will investigate the research question. You must explain how you will research the topic at hand; this entails identifying sources and, where appropriate, identifying a case (an event, a policy measure, a policy domain, etc.). • The research proposal should also include a tentative layout of the research paper. The tentative structure and headings are likely to appear in the final paper. • Finally, the research proposal should include a bibliography directly related to the research question or research topic. Please hand in your Research Proposal on XXXX. You must submit a hard copy during class AND email one copy to the instructor. Late work will not be accepted. Final Research Papers are due on XXXX. You must submit a hard copy during class AND the electronic file on Canvas, which uses Turnitin, an anti-plagiarism software. 2. Group Exchanges/Discussions on Global Governance (20%) In week 2, you will be divided into research teams of up to 5 students. Each research team must aim to meet throughout the course and to assess the core challenges, responses, effectiveness, and way forward of global problem-solving in the fields of Peace and Security, Environmental Policy, Sustainable Development, and Global Justice and to stimulate the exchange of ideas and discussion amongst group members. While it is the intent for all the students in a group to receive the same grade, free riding of students will not be accepted. Students are required to report the group's progress during discussions with the instructor. Each group will present their observations to the class on XXXX. Presentations should be created in PowerPoint and answer the below questions. Students should do a practice run before the final presentation to ensure they do not present for more than 12 minutes. In addition, PowerPoint presentations should be sent to the instructor via email at peacemissions@hotmail.com by XXXX. Students must meet with their group partners outside of class times to prepare for their presentations. When meeting and reflecting on global problem-solving, you should: • Identify the core borderless challenges currently faced by the global community (in your policy field). • Identify the key actors capable of addressing these challenges (UN, regional organizations, NGOs, foundations, individuals, states, private sector). • Devise analytical tools and criteria for assessing the capacity of these actors (e.g., budget, staff, political impact, powerful states supporting theme). • Map the core policies (treaties, programs, missions) that have been advanced for addressing these issues. • Evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the Actors and their approaches. Note: The above points should be highlighted during your final group presentation. Grading of group work: • Group participation throughout the course (15% of the overall grade) • Group presentation (85% of the overall grade) 3. Written Mid-term Exam (35%) There will be a written mid-term exam during Week X; the exact date will be confirmed. It will test your knowledge of the first part of the course. 4. Participation in class (10%) The weighing of the grades for the assignments will be: • Individual Research Paper: 35% • Group work: 20% • Mid-Term Exam: 35% • Class participation 10%