Module: Politics of the UN

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Politics of the UN
Module Code	POL1084 (ITS: LG552)
Faculty	Law & Government	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

The United Nations is a hugely ambitious project of international cooperation and global governance, the closest the international system has come to a form of world government. Emerging from the ashes of World War II but in the lineage of previous (failed) international organizations, the UN has consistently played an important, and sometimes understated, role in world economic, social and political affairs. The relevance of the UN perseveres today in the face of globalization, evolving threats to international peace and security, increased isolationalism, and critiques from both left and right. This module introduces students to the study of the United Nations. We will examine different approaches to studying the UN, its principal organs, the historical evolution of the UN’s role on the world stage from the Cold War to the present day, its role in a range of issue areas, and the main challenges and problems the organisation faces into the future. Students are expected to attend and contribute during class, and utilise the online resources.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the major institutional structures of the United Nations
2. Understand key theoretical approaches to international relations and critically analyse the role of the United Nations in framing these approaches
3. Understand and explain the evolution of the United Nations since World War II
4. Analyse and explain the role of the United Nations in a range of policy areas
5. Critically analyse challenges and possible reform options facing the United Nations

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	22	No Description
Independent Study	228	No Description
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	20945	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Walt Kilroy	Module Teacher	Gëzim Visoka

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Research paper	50%	n/a
Assignment	Reaction papers (x4)	40%	n/a
Participation	Participation & attendance	10%	n/a

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

The UN: Foundations and basic principles

The UN machinery: Organs, agencies, competencies, and functions

Theoretical perspectives on the UN

Historical development of the UN: Cold War to War on Terror

The UN and peace & security

The UN and human rights

The UN and international development

The UN and environmental degradation

The future of the UN: Relevance and reform?

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Thomas G. Weiss, David P Forsythe, Roger A Coate, and Kelly-Kate Pease: 2014, The United Nations and Changing World Politics, 7th edition, Westview Press, Boulder, CO,
Karen A. Mingst and Margaret P. Karns: 2011, The United Nations in the 21st Century, Westview Press, Boulder, CO,
Adam Roberts and Benedict Kingsbury: 1993, United Nations, Divided World: The UN's Roles in International Relations, Clarendon Press, Oxford,
Thomas G. Weiss and Sam Daws, eds.: 2009, The Oxford Handbook on the United Nations, Oxford University Press, Oxford,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None