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HIS10540

Academic Year 2026/2027

International Order since 1990 (HIS10540)

Subject:
History
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
History
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Professor William Mulligan
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module, the core for the History and Politics pathway, examines the liberal international order since 1990. In the wake of the Cold War, the expansion of the liberal international order promised to consolidate peace, spread democracy and human rights, and ensure prosperity. In recent years, the liberal international order has come under sustained challenge, with many observers heralding its demise and critics highlighting its failures, including increasing economic inequality, a democratic recession, and the revival of inter-state war. This asks key questions about the liberal international order. Were key weaknesses inherent in the construction of the LIO in the early 1990s or did these weaknesses only emerge later (e.g. after the Iraq War in 2003 or Global Financial Crisis of 2008)? Did the LIO ever achieve universal coverage or was it always hierarchical and exclusionary? What have been its key achievements and failures? Does the LIO have the capacity to renew itself and what are the alternatives? Throughout the module, we will draw on recent historical research on international politics since the 1990s and the extensive international relations scholarship about international order

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this module, students will be able to:

1) Use knowledge from the two disciplines, history and international relations, to enhance their understanding of international politics since the 1990s;
2) Assess primary sources relevant to international history since the 1990s;
3) Evaluate key concepts in the study of international order;
4) Discuss critically scholarship about international politics since the 1990s

Indicative Module Content:

The module will examine the following issues:
1) What is international order? Perspectives from historians and international relations scholars
2) Security in Europe: Russia and NATO
3) Integrating China into the LIO
4) Humanitarian intervention in 1990s
5) Global Public Goods and the LIO: Climate Change and Public Health
6) The invasion of Iraq and its legacies, 2003
7) The effects of the global financial crisis, 2008
8) Migration and the LIO
9) The loss of domestic support for the LIO: Brexit and Trump
10) External challenges to the LIO: Iran, China, and Russia
11) Is the Liberal International Order history?

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Proficient

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Proficient

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Competent

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Competent

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

100
Autonomous Student Learning

85
Lectures

11
Seminar (or Webinar)

11
Total

207

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module will be taught through a combination of weekly lectures and seminars. The lectures will focus on outlining key concepts and debates, while seminars will provide students with an opportunity to discuss key sources and debates about international politics since the 1990s. Students can also avail of one-to-one meetings with the module coordinator to discuss particular issues. Students will have in-class writing exercises to enhance their understanding of key issues in the module.
Generative AI may be used to support study in this module, subject to the instructions of the module coordinator and in accordance with the Academic Integrity Policy. The Module Coordinator will provide further information during the module.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
HIS10520 - International Order since 1990


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): The assignment is an essay, 1.500 words, including footnotes, but excluding the bibliography. Week 8 Graded No
30
 No
Exam (In-person): Students will answer 2 questions from a choice of 10 questions. Students will receive a sample exam in week 8 to support their revision and preparation for the exam. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
50
 No
Participation in Learning Activities: Student participation in seminars is graded. Participation includes asking questions, responding to questions, commenting on set weekly readings, and collaborating with other students in seminars. Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Graded No
20
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring 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

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Dr Mairead Barrett Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn Seminar Offering 2 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Seminar Offering 3 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 15:00 - 15:50
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