The Changing Global Order
Offered By
The Changing Global Order
Universiteit Leiden
About this Course
4.7
186 ratings
How are international power relations changing and how can global peace and stability be maintained? This course familiarizes you with some main theories of international relations, shows how the global order is gradually changing and discusses how selected international and regional organizations contribute to the maintenance of global peace and security. You learn what research findings tell us in terms of the capacity of international organizations and actors to help prevent or stop violent conflict, what tools are used to negotiate agreements and how foundations for sustainable peace are best created. We will also focus on the role of the European Union in terms of diplomacy and efforts to prevent conflict, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the contribution of organizations such as the African Union to the prevention of conflict and war. We will study the United Nations Security Council and see in which ways its membership could be adapted to more accurately reflect the power relations of the current global order. Through quizzes and exercises testing your knowledge of these subjects, you will understand crucial concepts and get insights into how the academic study of international relations and international organization contributes to the search for global stability and peace in practice.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
1
Section
Welcome to the course
Great that you are joining us! In this course you will learn about international relations, peace and security. Before you start with studying we invite you to first go through our introduction module and introduce yourself in the forum to meet your fellow learners. If you encounter any difficulties while studying, please let us know in the forum. For technical difficulties or questions regarding the course certificate, you can always contact the Coursera Learner Helpdesk. Good luck and we hope you will enjoy the course!
1 video (Total 5 min), 6 readings
1 video
6 readings
Meet the instructors & the team3m
Welcome to Leiden University2m
Complete our short survey10m
Tips for studying online5m
Being successful in an international virtual learning community5m
Behaving in an academic way5m
Theories of International Relations
In this first week, we will discuss theories of international relations and in addition to this, we will have a first lecture on the United Nations Security Council. Theories may at times seem a bit ‘abstract’, or even ‘dry’, but you will see that they actually do matter; make sure to also have a look at our assigned and recommended readings to provide you with additional insights.
7 videos (Total 49 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz
7 videos
Introduction the United Nations Security Council (Prof. dr. Van den Herik)8m
Realism12m
Liberalism11m
Constructivism8m
Wrap Up1m
Extra Video: Do Institutions Matter? 3m
4 readings
Waltz: Structural Realism after the Cold Warm
Keohane & Martin: The Promise of Institutionalist Theory40m
Snyder: Bridging the Realist Constructivist Divide: The Case of the Counterrevolution in Soviet Foreign Policy and the End of the Cold War10m
Additional Readingsm
1 practice exercise
Test your knowledge20m
2
Section
The Changing World Order: Rising Powers and International Institutions
This week we will be looking into changing world power in more detail, mainly targeting the question: who are the rising powers? You will get lectures from two of our guest instructors: Professor Rob de Wijk and Professor André Gerrits. Topics covered are power politics, the rise of China and the role of Russia in the current global order.
6 videos (Total 47 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz
6 videos
Power Politics (Prof. dr. Rob de Wijk)12m
Rise of China (Prof. dr. Rob de Wijk)11m
The Role of Russia (Prof. dr. André Gerrits)9m
Russia in International Organizations (Prof. dr. André Gerrits)10m
Wrap Up1m
4 readings
De Jong, Korteweg, Polchar & Usano: New Players, New Game? The Impact of Emerging Economies on Global Governancem
Monaghan: The New Russian Foreign Policy Concept: Evolving Continuity, Russia and Eurasia30m
Jones: Making Multilateralism Work: How the G-20 Can Help the United Nations30m
Additional Readingsm
1 practice exercise
Test your knowledge20m
3
Section
Conflict, Conflict Resolution and Security
This week, we will look at Conflict, Conflict Resolution and Security. We have a number of very interesting lectures as well as some additional interviews with experts in the field. Some of the topics include negotiation and mediation strategies, UN Security Council sanctions, the role of the International Criminal Court, and interviews on the practical implementation of these strategies and mechanisms. Additionally, for those of you completing the honors track, this week we have the peer review essay assignment. In this assignment, you will write about a conflict of your choice and apply the conflict resolution strategies to the conflict. Good luck on the assignment!
9 videos (Total 62 min), 3 readings, 2 quizzes
9 videos
Resolving Conflict Through Negotiation (Dr. Sinisa Vukovic)7m
Resolving Conflict Through Mediation (Dr. Sinisa Vukovic)7m
Peace Enforcement Mechanisms: UNSC Sanctions (Prof dr. Larissa van den Herik)8m
International Criminal Court (Prof. dr. Larissa van den Herik)7m
Wrap Up1m
Extra Video: Interview Paul Meerts - Negotiation in Practice 10m
Extra Video: Interview Carsten Stahn - International Law 7m
Extra Video: Interview Gideon Shimshon & Ulrich Mans - Peace Informatics Lab 8m
3 readings
Bercovitch & Lee: Mediating International Conflicts: Examining the Effectiveness of Directive Strategies40m
Van den Herik: U.N. Peace-Enforcement Missions and International Criminal Lawm
Additional Readingsm
1 practice exercise
Test your knowledge20m
4
Section
Regional Organizations in Global Affairs
This week, we will look at regional organizations in global affairs in which we first focus on the European Union. Thereafter, Prof. dr. Giles Scott-Smith will familiarize us with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Arctic Council. We will also present an additional interview with Prof. dr. Mohamed Salih about the African Union and an interview with Hetty Burgman about Cordaid. Lastly, also a guest lecture at Leiden University by Federica Mogherini, the current High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, is released.
10 videos (Total 98 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz
10 videos
The Development and Integration of the EU Over Time10m
EU's Foreign Policy10m
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (Prof. dr. Giles Scott-Smith)11m
Arctic Council (Prof. dr. Giles Scott-Smith)9m
Wrap Up1m
Extra Video: Interview Mohamed Salih - African Union 11m
Extra video: Regionalism in Latin America - Joren Selleslaghs8m
Extra Video: Interview with Hetty Burgman - Cordaid 9m
Extra Video: Guest Lecture by Federica Mogherini at Leiden University24m
3 readings
Vanhoonacker & Pomorska: The European External Action Service and Agenda-Setting in European Foreign Policym
Frost: The Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and Russia’s Strategic Goals in Central Asiam
Additional Readingsm
1 practice exercise
Test your knowledge20m
4.7
Top Reviews
By SS•Apr 22nd 2017
Undoubtedly one of the best courses. Loved it. The additional readings were really very useful and the lecture content was manageable and interesting. A must try!
By GC•Sep 29th 2017
I have come to find such a wonderful course! The combination of Prestigious teacher and involving lectures brought an excellent learning environment!
Instructor
Madeleine Hosli
Prof. Dr.Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs
About Universiteit Leiden
Leiden University is one of Europe's foremost research universities. This prominent position gives our graduates a leading edge in applying for academic posts and for functions outside academia.
Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands. It was founded in February 1575, as a gift from William of Orange to the citizens of Leiden after they had withstood a long siege by the Spanish. Our motto is: Praesidium Libertatis — Bastion of Liberty.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
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