ATS3186 · The global south in international relations

Overview

In this unit, you are introduced to the agency, role, perspectives, and lived experiences of the Global South in shaping contemporary international relations and global order. You will explore how historical and contemporary events and processes including colonialism, independence movements, structural inequality, and global power asymmetries, influence political and economic outcomes across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. You will engage with a range of approaches to analyse how the Global South both navigate and challenge dominant global structures. By the end of the unit, you will be able to critically analyse global issues from non‑Western perspectives, evaluate competing explanations of global (dis)order and inequality, and assess how emerging powers can reshape world politics.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Explain key concepts and definitions related to the Global South, including historical, political, and economic dimensions within the field of International Relations;
2. Analyse the historical origins of Global South inequalities, particularly the impacts of colonialism and decolonisation;
3. Evaluate major theoretical approaches and their relevance for understanding the role of Global South states in global politics;
4. Examine contemporary issues affecting the Global South;
5. Demonstrate critical research and argumentation skills by applying theoretical frameworks to case studies of Global South countries and regions in global political and economic systems.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.