POLI 636: INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

 

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

UNIVERSITY OF GHANA

SECOND SEMESTER 2022/3

Course Code: POLI 636

Course Title: INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Credits: 3 credit hours

Course Instructor: Kumi Ansah-Koi, PhD

Class Hours: Mondays, 8:00am-10:00am or as agreed in by the class

Online Access Code: Zoom/Google Meet links would be provided when necessary

Introduction:

Student Research and Seminar Presentations would be integral features of this course.  The idea would be to offer solid foundations in the understanding of International Organizations, and also to offer the students the necessary theoretical, intellectual, and practical foundations and experience for writing an acceptable master’s thesis.

In that regard, the course is designed as a pro-Seminar; and would be largely interactive. Each topic would be introduced and guidelines offered in class; and students would give Seminar Presentation on the topic. Peer review and critical appraisal would then ensue; before the Instructor offers concluding remarks and comments on the topic in question. The Course would thus involve minimum formal instructions/lectures; but would nonetheless be intensive and very involving; and regular attendance would be insisted on.

Student seminar presentations on the topics should be by PowerPoint. Alternately, the presentation should take the form of a typed five-page (or less) presentations on the topic in question in the sequence indicated below. Literature Review and due citations and source indications would be critical components in assessing and rating student seminar presentations.

An online platform (WhatsApp) would be created to facilitate discussions outside class hours and also to enable document sharing. Presentations should be uploaded on the platform at least forty-eight (48) hours to enable fellow students to view presentations and prepare for class. Each topic presentation will be subjected to  peer-review. All students except the person presenting must submit (on the online platform) questions/critiques related to the presentation at least twenty-four (24) hours to the day of presentation. The most pressing or unresolved issues would be addressed in class. You are welcome to upload related material and interact with each other on the platform

Assessment:  In-Class Presentation: 30% (best two will be selected); Final Exam: 70%

Topics

1.      The International Setting. Origins/Evolution; Nature; Challenges; Trends, Actors. Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks.

2.      International Organization(s): Emergence/Evolution, Typology, Nature, Trends, Theoretical/Conceptual frameworks.

3.      The UN

4.      The EU/AU

5.      The Group of Seven; The Group of Twenty; and the Group of 77

6.      WTO. The Bretton Woods Institutions

7.      NATO

8.      ECOWAS

9.       OPEC

10.  OIS   11.  The ICC

12.  World Economic Forum             BRICS

13.  The OIS The Olympic Games

14.  Conclusions; Review.