Module: Unrecognised States in the International System

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Unrecognised States in the International System
Module Code	POL1047 (ITS: LG367)
Faculty	Law & Government	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

The world map is deceptively complete, with all territories neatly assigned to respective governments. There are, however, regions which disrupt this outward picture of stability. Unrecognised states have achieved de facto independence but have not secured international recognition. Put simply they are states that, legally, do not exist. They continue in legal limbo, and are not only an academic curiosity but often a threat to regional stability. Using both theory and case studies to comprehend the phenomenon of unrecognised states in the international system this course will provide a comprehensive introduction to this topical yet unexplored subject. The course will enable students to understand the dynamics of domestic politics in the unrecognised states and to understand how they have survived politically and economically. They course will also investigate the actions and strategies of key regional actors that have a vital interest in the destiny of the de facto states.

Learning Outcomes

1. critically assess the major themes, debates, developments, and structures relevant to unrecognised states
2. determine the dynamics of domestic and foreign policy formulation in the de facto states
3. recognise key factors behind ethnic and national divisions within the de facto states and with the states from which they have seceded
4. assess the viability and political systems of unrecognised states
5. evaluate the influence of external forces on the de facto states

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	22	No Description
Independent Study	103	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11414	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Gëzim Visoka	Module Teacher	Donnacha Ó Beacháin

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Research Paper	100%	Week 1

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

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Indicative Reading List

Books:

Nina Caspersen: 2011, Unrecognised States: The Struggle for Sovereignty in the Modern International System., Polity, London, 224, 074565343X
Nina Caspersen and Gareth Stansfield (eds.): 2010, Unrecognized States in the International System, Routledge, London, 272, 0415582105
Tozun Bahcheli, Barry Bartmann and Henry Srebrnik (eds): 0, De facto states: The Quest for Sovereignty, Routledge, London, 296, 0714654760
Dov Lynch: 2004, Engaging Eurasia's separatist states, United States Institue of Peace Press, Washington, D.C., 168, 1929223544
Scott Pegg: 1999, International Society and the De Facto State, Ashgate, 332, 1840144785

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None