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POL40140

Academic Year 2024/2025

Theories of Global Justice (POL40140)

Subject:
Politics
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Politics & Int Relations
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Alexa Zellentin
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This course examines a number of topics and issues in international politics from a normative perspective. We will look at current theories on justice in international relations, international distributive justice, reparative justice, migration, national self-determination, and global institutions of justice. Students will be introduced to some of the most important concepts in international political theory including sovereignty, duties of assistance, humanitarian intervention, and human rights.

The various normative problems discussed will be related to actual international conflicts past and present. Examples that might be used for illustrating the relevance and application of theories of international political theory are debates like climate justice or just war theory. For this year the focus will be on climate justice.

The module will have the structure of a seminar and will be based on classroom debates. The students will be expected to have read the relevant texts in advance and participate in discussion.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this course you will be able to:
• explain some key concerns, concepts, debates, and theories on global justice (LO1)
• distinguish between the normative, conceptual, and empirical background assumptions of claims about global justice (LO2)
• explain the interaction of concerns regarding international, intergenerational, procedural, rectificatory etc. dimensions of justice in the context of climate change (LO3)
• identify the strengths and weaknesses of normative political theory arguments (LO4)
• develop informed arguments for taking one or another particular position on controversial issues regarding global justice (LO5)
Please note that L05 is the most important learning outcome and that the other learning outcomes serve as means to this end.

Indicative Module Content:

We will look at political responses to climate chaos from a normative perspective analysing principles that should guide our actions. Questions we will discuss are e.g. Do the industrialised states who contributed most to climate change owe compensation to the developing states who suffer most? Should green house gas emissions be distributed on a equal per capita basis? Or should they track how dependent people are on emissions for a decent life? Is the ability to help a strong enough reason to impose duties of justice? etc.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

20
Autonomous Student Learning

205
Total

225

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module is designed to run as a seminar. There are no lectures. Rather, students are expected to prepare for the in-class discussions and exercises by the required readings and handouts.
Overall this seminar is focused on task-based learning - by discussing the different dimensions and theories of global justice, students are expected to develop their own questions as well as their own approaches for addressing them.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Basic familiarity with the methods and approaches in normative political theory is highly recommended.
Some background knowledge regarding theories of justice is helpful.
E.g.
Fabre, C. (2007) Justice in a Changing World, Cambridge: Polity Press (320.011 FAB slc).
McKinnon, C. (ed.) (2015). Issues in Political Theory, Oxford: Oxford University Press (320.01 MCK).
Swift, A. (2013) Political Philosophy. A Beginners' Guide for Students and Politicians, Third Edition. Revised and Expanded ed, Cambridge: Polity Press (320.01 SWI).


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Individual Project: In-class presentation of your chosen research puzzle. Week 5 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No

10

 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Your task is to set out a plan for how to address your chosen research puzzle given the current state of the literature. Week 7 Graded No

20

 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Your task is to peer review the essay plan of your colleague and provide constructive criticism. Week 9 Graded No

20

 No
Assignment(Including Essay): 5000 Word essay: Your task is to offer a normative political theory argument discussing your chosen research puzzle. Week 14 Graded No

50

 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Group/class Feedback, pre-assessment in terms of detailed rubric Feedback individually to students, post-assessment, with reference to rubric Group/class feedback, post-assessment In line with university policy students will be provided with feedback within 20 days of the deadline for submitting the assignment.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Iseult Honohan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
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