Global Politics 2102-ANG-L-D5GLPO

Modern global politics is characterized by rapid, non-linear shifts. The absolute dominance of the nation-state is constantly challenged by transnational markets, global civil society, regional integration, and shifting geopolitical power poles. To navigate this complex landscape, political science undergraduates must move beyond passive memorization. They must acquire a deep theoretical toolkit, a solid grasp of historical structural dynamics, and the analytical capacity to trace how seemingly isolated global crises interlock and exacerbate one another.
Under the discipline of Political Science and Administration, this course is designed to build those foundational competencies. Through a blend of conceptual lecturing and interactive, hands-on policy labs, students will study how actors cooperate, conflict, and negotiate power in an anarchic world. The structural core of this course rests on two practical pillars: an Individual Policy Memorandum where students practice strategic advisory decision-making, and our marquee Final Team Project Capstone. Moving away from the traditional, isolated final paper, this syllabus utilizes an interactive, peer-assessed policy simulation and joint synthesis report. This mirrors the real-world operational environments of think tanks, diplomatic corps, and public administration, forcing students to collaborate dynamically to solve complex, systemic geopolitical crises.

Term 2026Z:

None

Course coordinators

Term 2025Z:

Justyna Nakonieczna-Bartosiewicz

Term 2026Z:

Agnieszka Rothert

Mode

Classroom

Prerequisites (description)

This course is based on the premise that contemporary political science and public administration must combine sound theoretical knowledge with the practical requirements of public administration and strategic consulting. The course aims to guide students through a gradual transition from the role of passive recipients of theory to that of active analysts and policy advisors. A key pedagogical principle is the shift away from traditional essay-based assignments toward the creation of policy memoranda and team-based crisis resolution through simulations. The course is based on problem-based learning (PBL) and strong peer interaction. Students are expected to be prepared to actively participate in laboratory workshops (Policy Labs), critically evaluate the work of others (Peer Review), and dynamically defend the solutions they have developed. The ultimate goal of the course is to foster systems thinking—the ability to recognize that political, economic, and environmental phenomena at the global level are inextricably and nonlinearly interconnected.

Learning outcomes

1. Knowledge (K)
By the end of this course, the student:
• K_W01: Knows and can clearly articulate basic concepts in the field of global politics (e.g., anarchy, sovereignty, power, hegemony, integration, interdependence).
• K_W03: Explains basic facts, data, and historical trends regarding global political processes (such as globalization, fragmentation, securitization, and democratization).
• K_W04: Understands the historical background of global politics, tracing the evolution of the international system from the Peace of Westphalia (1648) through the World Wars, the Cold War, and post-Cold War transitions.
• K_W05: Classifies basic international institutions (UN, IMF, World Bank, WTO, ICC, regional bodies) and explains their functional roles and limitations in global governance.
• K_W09: Understands basic policy, academic, and strategic approaches to issues of global significance, including ecological degradation, international security threats, human rights violations, and economic inequality.
2. Skills (U)
By the end of this course, the student is able to:
• K_U01: Identify, map, and categorize the main processes occurring in global politics, differentiating between regional, national, and transnational drivers.
• K_U03: Apply classic and critical theories of global politics (Realism, Liberalism, Constructivism, Marxism, Feminism, Post-colonialism) to explain contemporary events and diplomatic actions.
• K_U04: Formulate and present critical arguments regarding the main challenges in global politics to both academic and professional audiences through structured briefs, essays, and oral defenses.
3. Social Competences (K_K)
By the end of this course, the student is prepared to:
• K_K03: Critically evaluate the main processes in global politics, functioning collaboratively to identify the underlying structural relationships, feedback loops, and interdependencies among seemingly distinct global crises.

Assessment criteria

5ECTS -> E+Other

Grading Components (Sposób zaliczenia):
1. Class Seminar Participation (15%): Ongoing assessment of weekly reading mastery, conceptual understanding of political processes, and verbal contribution. (Measures: K_W01, K_W05)
2. Individual Policy Memorandum (25%): A highly structured, 1,200-word decision-making memo addressed to a designated political decision-maker (e.g., state minister, international agency head). Drafted in Week 5 and submitted in Week 7. Students must diagnose a contemporary global political process, isolate its structural drivers, and apply competing political theories to defend two alternative, actionable policy options. (Measures: K_U01, K_U03)
3. Oral Presentation (20%): A 10-minute policy briefing on a specific global challenge, focusing on institutional barriers and political approaches. (Measures: K_W09, K_U04)
4. Final Team Project Capstone (40%): A collaborative policy project analyzing an active geopolitical crisis. (Measures: K_W03, K_W04, K_K03, K_U04)
o Group Written Brief (60% of project grade): Coauthored 4,000-word systemic policy brief mapping interdependencies between political, economic, or ecological aspects of a crisis.
o Interactive Oral Defense (30% of project grade): 15-minute presentation & simulation defense against analytical questions.
o Confidential Peer Review (10% of project grade): Evaluation of teammates on dependability, collaboration, and rigor.

Practical placement

none

Bibliography

Useful readings:
Lawson, Stephanie (2021), Global Politics, Oxford University Press.
Heywood, Andrew; Whitham, Ben (2023), Global Politics, Bloomsbury.
The Globalization Reader (2020) Ed. by Lechner, Frank J., Boli John, Wiley Blackwell. (or previous editions)
Baylis John, Smith Steve, Owens Patricia (2022), The Globalization of World Politics. An Introduction to International Relations, Oxford.

Term 2026Z:

Notes

Term 2026Z:

Artificial intelligence is used to perform specific elements of a task, and students discuss the content generated by the AI. This level requires critical engagement with and evaluation of AI-generated content.

Using AI is allowed to perform specific tasks, but any content generated must be cited.