The course offers a well-researched and broad-ranging primer to the United Nations system. Consisting of an introduction to the complex UN family and its history, and a series of ‘snapshots’ of key UN functions, which are used to explore important UN themes and help learners develop important analysis, communication, and policy-based skills.
Offered By
University of London
SOAS University of London
Global Diplomacy: the United Nations in the World
University of London
About this Course
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Learner Career Outcomes
50%
started a new career after completing these courses
50%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
12%
got a pay increase or promotion
Learner Career Outcomes
50%
started a new career after completing these courses
50%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
12%
got a pay increase or promotion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible deadlines
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Beginner Level
Approx. 11 hours to complete
Suggested: 3 hours/week
English
Subtitles: English, Japanese
Offered by
University of London
The University of London is a federal University which includes 18 world leading Colleges. Our distance learning programmes were founded in 1858 and have enriched the lives of thousands of students, delivering high quality University of London degrees wherever our students are across the globe. Our alumni include 7 Nobel Prize winners. Today, we are a global leader in distance and flexible study, offering degree programmes to over 50,000 students in over 180 countries. To find out more about studying for one of our degrees where you are, visit www.london.ac.uk
SOAS University of London
SOAS is the world’s leading institution for the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and offers a truly global perspective. With its vast repository of knowledge and expertise on our specialist regions, SOAS is uniquely placed to inform and shape current thinking about the economic, political, cultural, security and religious challenges of our world.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
1 hour to complete
Introduction
An overview of the MOOC
1 hour to complete
1 video (Total 1 min), 3 readings
1 video
3 readings
Read me first10m
Course Outline10m
General Readings30m
3 hours to complete
The UN Today: what is it?
This week will introduce the idea of the United Nations as a system of more-or-less connected agencies that exist to address a wide range of world problems, and provide an overview of how different parts fit together to constitute the modern United Nations system.
3 hours to complete
2 videos (Total 4 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
1 reading
The UN Today: what is it?40m
3 hours to complete
Where did the United Nations come from, and why?
This week will provide an overview of the historical circumstances of the beginning of the UN – what early UN agencies were, what were the influential powers and groups at the early negotiations, and what values the UN was founded on, with comparisons to modern-day approaches.
3 hours to complete
2 videos (Total 5 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
2 videos
Where did the UN come from and why?4m
1 reading
Where did the United Nations come from, and why?40m
3 hours to complete
Power in international politics: how does the UN Security Council work?
This week will use the UN Security Council as a primer to the issue of relative power in international institutions. After examining the structure and operations of the Council, it will encourage students to examine the fundamental issues that determine its existence, including the status of the five permanent members, its ability to carry out its function, and the prospects for reform.
3 hours to complete
2 videos (Total 8 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
2 videos
How does the UN Security Council work?7m
1 reading
How does the UN Security Council work? - Reading40m
Reviews
4.7
TOP REVIEWS FROM GLOBAL DIPLOMACY: THE UNITED NATIONS IN THE WORLD
by AFDec 6, 2018
It was very interesting to get to know better about the UN structure and concepts, and it helped me a lot to get my first opportunity in an UN mission! Starting a new career. Thank you so much.
by GPJun 11, 2018
Thank you for offering this course, it has giving me the structural, academic knowledge and motivation beyond my expectations. It was an honor and a privilege.Respectfully,Guillermo Pimentel
by AAJun 27, 2017
It is terrifically impressive course as I am Volunteering in UN since 2014 , I have been looking such kind of Course .\n\nThanks again professors and SUAS team for giving this opportunity
by ECNov 6, 2019
I very much enjoyed the course and learned a lot from it. I thought the mixture of different media (videos, readings, etc) was good and the level of work required was well-judged. Thanks.
by MGJul 30, 2017
A great informative course about the United Nations, its composition and different activities the organization is engaged with. Really good interview videos and great reading materials.
by EKMar 7, 2019
Thank you Dr. Dan with your entire team for making the world come to me and me go to them through this platform. it is an amazing course and I look forward to doing even more courses.
by VSJan 18, 2019
The course gives you a broad understanding of the international relations and functioning of the UN system. Its syllabus is well crafted to stimulate learning and research. Thanks.
by YTApr 1, 2020
Great course with important material about UN given straight to the point, readings may be outdated and too much for each week but that's compensated by useful video lectures.
by MApr 8, 2018
A well structured course that enabled me to gain more insight of the United Nations through the relevant training content (videos and reading material) and peer reviews.
by DAJun 26, 2017
I have enjoyed and learnt a lot with this course. This course give me the opportunity to reflect on the positive and negative contributions of the UN in the humanity.
by AJAug 28, 2017
Very interesting, it provided helpful material and different criteria from many experts in the subject, I enjoyed the course and would definitely recommend it.
by NWAug 19, 2017
very great study and set of guidance set by the tutor governign the current situation and as well as setting up a powerful fundamentals of the subject.
by MGSep 10, 2019
The course is informative and contains so much to learn of-course. However, I find lack of recent events/developments which have taken place overtime.
by TGApr 26, 2019
This was great course with a thorough overview of the UN. It gave me a clear understanding of the organisation and its place globally. Thank you.
by AFOct 19, 2017
It enlightens and very easy to operate ,i was actually scared to do a course online but this is a perfect way to learn • Thanks to coursera
by DTJun 16, 2019
A very good and properly paced course, providing the knowledge on how the UN works, alone with a focus on the challenges it's facing now.
by MTSep 21, 2019
Really interesting content and lots of resources to go through at your own pace. The discussion aspect could have been promoted more.
by MRSep 8, 2017
Such a nice course for those who wants to know about the one and only multilateral organization and its functions around the world.
by SRSep 24, 2019
It is such a good course in which learners can actually gain more understanding on the United Nations. I love Coursera course.
by AMMar 25, 2020
A comprehensive course that allowed me to update and enhance my knowledge of the structure and working of the United Nations.
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.
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