This course explores the contested concept of global civil society and its relevance to the study of contemporary world politics. It begins by mapping the various interpretations of what constitutes civil society and the actors within it. Against this conceptual background, special attention will be given to the role and effectiveness of international non-governmental organisations (NGOs). By taking a bottom-up approach to solving problems on a global scale, these organisations are often seen as a substitute for inter-state diplomacy as well as a corrective to the failures of global capitalism. The aim of this course will be to critically assess the potential for such organisations to act as a 'third force' in international politics. To this end, the course will address the participation of NGOs at international forums, the relationship between NGOs and donor institutions, and the wider representative role of NGOs within society. The final part of the course will investigate the activities of NGOs in relation to key issues such as women's rights, humanitarian intervention, development and environmental degradation.

This course will provide students with the necessary conceptual and analytical tools to critically evaluate the evolution of civil society at the global level. Students will also learn to apply their new knowledge and skills to an empirical case study and in so doing develop their capacity to research new issues.

10,000 - 12,000 words of written assessment, comprising essays, seminar papers and an examination, as deemed appropriate by the lecturer.

Oral Presentation (15%)
First Essay (15%)
Second Essay (30%)
Exam (40%)

12 hours per week: two for seminar attendance, and ten for reading and writing. Please note this is a general guide, averaged over the semester and the final hours ultimately depend on the individual's ability in reading and writing.

The three key texts for the course include John Keane (2003) Global Civil Society?
(Cambridge: Cambridge University Press), Sanjeev Khagram, James V. Riker and Kathryn
Sikkink (2002) (eds.) Restructuring World Politics: Transnational Social Movements,
Networks, and Norms (University of Minnesota Press), and David Chandler (2005)
Constructing Global Civil Society: Morality and Power in International Relations, Palgrave
Macmillan.

Preliminary readings

Students need access to a computer with a Microsoft Word and access to the internet.

Delivery Mode:

Semester 2 2009, on campus, seminar-style