Module Identifier IPM4430  
Module Title CULTURAL ENCOUNTERS IN THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM  
Academic Year 2002/2003  
Semester Intended for use in future years  
Next year offered N/A  
Next semester offered N/A  
Course delivery Seminars / Tutorials   22 Hours 1 x 2 hour seminar per week  
Assessment Semester Assessment   Essay: 1 x 2,000 words   25%  
  Semester Assessment   Essay: 1 x 6,000 words   75%  
  Supplementary Exam   Students may, subject to Faculty approval, have the opportunity to resit this module, normally during the supplementary examination period. For further clarification please contact the Teaching Programme Administrator in the Department of International Politics.    

Learning outcomes

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

- assess competing narratives on the rise of the West
- discuss the expansion of international society.
- appraise the role of culture in international relations
- evaluate the discourses at work in cultural encounters
- review current examples of counter hegemonic discourses in the international system

Brief description

At the end of the twentieth century global society appears to be becoming increasing homogenised and globalised. The model of society that is becoming the norm throughout the globe is based on Western traditions and values, these derived primarily from European origins. This module examines this process of westernisation through out the globe, focusing in particular on cultural encounters whereby non-western civilisations have been incorporated into an expanding European civilisation.

Aims

The aim of the module is to examine cultural encounters between rival civilisations within the framework of an expanding international system.

Content

The first section addresses some general historical and theoretical issues related to the module. We will consider different accounts of the rise of the west and discuss the notion of culture. We will also examine how a particular model of international society, based on the European system became globalised. The second section examines three particular sites of global encounter, where the expanding European civilisation confronted non-Western civilisations. The third section discusses three contemporary examples of resistance to Western hegemony. The concluding section looks at broader issues of the theorising of culture and identity in international relations.

Transferable skills

This module will provide you with opportunities to develop, practice and test a wide range of transferable skills on this module. Throughout the semester you will be able to practice and enhance your reading, comprehension and thinking skills, as well as time management. Preparation for seminars will encourage your research skills, with particular reference to making use of information technology. In seminars opportunities will be provided to practice analytical, listening, explaining, debating and problem solving skills. There will also be many occasions to develop team-working and presentation skills. The two essays will encourage you to exercise your abilities in independent research, writing and use of IT.

15 ECTS credits