Globalisation and Governance MA

About the Course

The term ‘Globalisation’ embraces a range of deeply transformative political, economic and social processes. Understanding these - or the meaning, significance and implications of globalisation - 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.

Aims

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.

Enquiries

Course enquiries
Email sss-pgenquiries@brunel.ac.uk
Tel +44 (0)1895 265286

For applications already submitted
Contact Admissions online
Tel +44 (0)1895 265265

Course director: Dr Gareth Dale
Email gareth.dale@brunel.ac.uk

View the School of Social Sciences website

Related Courses

Special Features

Courses are designed and taught by world renowned experts in politics, international relations, public policy and contemporary history.

The department has a distinctive concentration of expertise in the history of modern political thought.

We have close links with government, industry, and international organisations, with guest lectures from key political, intelligence, and business figures, as well as placement opportunities in some courses.

Academic staff are dedicated to furthering knowledge in their particular fields.

Course Content

Core 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, and historical 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 climate change.

Influencing Public Policy
Main topics of study: transformation of the state since the 1980s – policy networks and neoliberalism; multi-level governance; approaches to policy analysis; the 'policy chain' from design to implementation; models of interest representation; techniques of public affairs.

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)

China and 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, Globalisation).

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.

International Human Rights
Main topics of study: Theory of international human rights law. Origins, development and sources of international human rights law. The United Nations Human Rights Regime. The Council of Europe Regime for Human Rights Protection. The European Union and Human Rights. The OSCE and Human Rights. The Inter-American system of Human Rights Protection. The African system of Human Rights Protection.

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.

The United States in World Affairs 1945-2001
Main Topics of Study: The origins of the cold war in Europe and Asia. The development of US strategies of containment. US international economic policy. The projection of US foreign policy into space. US policies towards revolution and counter-revolution. The US and the post-Cold War world order

Empire, Imperialism and Hegemony
Main topics of study: Empire and hegemony: conceptual introduction and historical overview. Early-modern imperial and hegemonic powers: case studies. European imperialism. Theories of imperialism. US foreign policy: historical overview. The USA in the world economy. Theorising US hegemony/empire.

East-west encounters across time

Imperialism and culture

Influencing public policy

Methods in social and political research

Migration in the modern world

Public policy and the challenges of cultural diversity

The emergence of the transnational world

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 C. If you do not achieve the standard required, you may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate if eligible.

Fees for 2013/14 entry

UK/EU students: £5,800 full-time; £2,900 part-time

International students: £13,500 full-time; £6,750 part-time

Read about funding opportunities available to postgraduate students

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements

You should normally have a good honours degree (2:1 or above) or an equivalent professional qualification. Applicants with relevant work experience who lack these qualifications will also be considered.

English Language Requirements

IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
TOEFL Paper test: 580 (TWE 4.5)
TOEFL Internet test: 92 (R20, L20, S20, W20)
Pearson: 59 (51 in all subscores)
BrunELT 65% (min 60% in all areas)

Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.